Question 1: Arbitration for state workers' contractsState budget must pay for state worker contracts, including ones set by an arbitrator
Read the full text of the measure: State Board of Elections file (PDF)
In plain words
Many state workers have unions that bargain with the state over pay and benefits. Today, if talks get stuck, an outside "fact finder" only makes suggestions, and the governor decides whether the budget pays for the deal. This amendment makes the governor's budget include the money for each signed or arbitrated contract. A law passed with it adds binding arbitration: a neutral person (an "arbitrator") picks one side's final offer, and both sides must accept it. Changes that need new money or a new law still need the General Assembly's approval. (mgaleg.maryland.gov )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| When state worker contract talks get stuck | A fact finder makes suggestions; no one has to follow them | Binding arbitration: an arbitrator picks one side's final offer in full |
| Does the governor's budget have to fund the contract? | The governor decides | Yes, the budget must include the money for each contract's terms |
| What can be bargained over | Pay, hours and other terms | Also fringe and health benefits (not pensions) |
| Who has final say on spending | General Assembly | Still the General Assembly: awards that need money or a law change depend on its approval |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (mgaleg.maryland.gov )
Example
Illustration only: the state's budget analysts assumed an arbitrator costs $600 an hour. A 40-hour case would cost $24,000, and the bill splits that fee equally: $12,000 from the state and $12,000 from the union. (mgaleg.maryland.gov )
Biggest change
- The governor's budget must include the money needed to carry out the terms of each state worker contract, whether agreed to or set through arbitration. source: elections.maryland.gov
- Each budget must also show changes in pay, hours and benefits under those contracts for the next year. source: elections.maryland.gov
- A state law passed with the amendment (and that only takes effect if voters approve it) adds a neutral arbitrator to contract talks and binding arbitration if talks reach an impasse, with a final award due by December 15. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
Who it affects most: State employees covered by union contracts (outside public colleges for the new arbitration steps), and the state budget that pays them.
Cost to the state: The Department of Legislative Services estimates at least $150,000 a year more starting in fiscal 2028 for arbitration and staff. Costs for pay and benefits could be "significant" starting in fiscal 2029, depending on what arbitrators award; the exact amount is unknown.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The governor's budget must fund state worker contracts, and stuck contract talks go to binding arbitration.
The governor keeps deciding whether to fund state worker contracts, and stuck talks still end with only a fact finder's suggestions.
Our one-line summary. Maryland does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Maryland state workers can bargain over pay but have no binding arbitration (except BWI airport firefighters and MTA transit workers). Today a fact finder's recommendations do not bind the governor or the General Assembly. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
- The General Assembly passed the bill in April 2026 largely along party lines (House 93-35, Senate 35-11). Gov. Wes Moore signed it on April 28, 2026. Sponsors were Del. Jared Solomon and Sen. Cory McCray, both Democrats. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
Why supporters want it
- Donna S. Edwards, president of the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO: "Binding arbitration is mutually beneficial to our state government, our state employees, and taxpayers." source: news.ballotpedia.org
Why opponents object
- The University System of Maryland opposed the bill. Sherri Roxas, its senior director of labor relations, warned of "serious fiscal consequences for the USM, particularly its smaller institutions" and said giving one outside person the final say conflicts with collective bargaining. source: news.ballotpedia.org
Who backs each side
- For: the Democratic majority in the General Assembly that passed it, and the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO. Against: the University System of Maryland (during the legislative debate). No public record found of a campaign committee or money for either side. source: news.ballotpedia.org
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Kent County ballot (PDF) .
Question 1
Constitutional Amendment
(Ch. 155 of the 2026 Legislative Session)
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026
Providing that each budget submitted by the Governor shall include proposed expenditures necessary to implement wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment in each collective bargaining memorandum of understanding with State employees, whether the State and State employees reached those terms and conditions by mutual agreement or through a neutral decider's order.
A vote FOR this amendment means that the Governor has to include money in the proposed State budget to pay for agreements between the State and its employees. Agreements might include changes to wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Governor must put enough money in the State budget to cover the agreed upon pay and benefits for employees, whether those terms were negotiated or decided by a neutral decision-maker.
A vote AGAINST the amendment means that the law about funding agreements between the State and State employees stays the same.
(Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)
For the Constitutional Amendment
Against the Constitutional Amendment
Copied word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Kent County ballot. The statewide questions are the same on every county's ballot.
Latest news
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Full text of the measure
The exact change to Article III, Section 52 of the constitution is in the State Board of Elections' amendment text PDF. Read it in the State Board of Elections file (PDF) , or on the Legislature's page for House Bill 604 (Chapter 155 of 2026) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- State Board of Elections: 2026 ballot questions
- Department of Legislative Services: fiscal and policy note on HB 604 (PDF)
- The Banner: Maryland statewide ballot questions
- Ballotpedia News: the two amendments passed in April 2026
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.