Question 2: Fill-ins on the judge-discipline commissionLets the Commission on Judicial Disabilities use temporary fill-in members
Read the full text of the measure: State Board of Elections file (PDF)
In plain words
The Commission on Judicial Disabilities looks into complaints about Maryland judges. Today, open seats are filled only when the governor appoints someone and the state Senate agrees. This amendment lets the commission's chair call back a former member to fill in for a while, or ask the governor to name a temporary fill-in or keep a current member on until a replacement is named. A fill-in must meet the same rules as the member being replaced, and no one the Senate already rejected for the commission can serve. (news.ballotpedia.org )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| A member steps aside from a case or is disqualified | No fill-in process in the constitution | The chair can call back a former member, or ask the governor for a temporary fill-in |
| A member's term ends with no replacement named | Seat waits for a new appointment approved by the Senate | The governor, if the chair asks, can extend the member's term until a replacement is named |
| Who can be a fill-in | (not allowed) | Someone with the same qualifications as the member replaced; not someone the Senate rejected for the commission |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (elections.maryland.gov )
Biggest change
- Creates a way to seat temporary substitute members on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused, disqualified, or has a term expire without a replacement. source: thebanner.com
Who it affects most: People who file complaints about judges, and judges under review, since cases could move ahead without waiting for open seats to be filled.
Cost to the state: Unknown. No cost figure found; see the fiscal and policy note for SB 933.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The judge-discipline commission can use temporary fill-in members when seats are empty or members step aside.
The commission keeps having no fill-in process; empty seats wait for a governor's appointment approved by the Senate.
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.
- The commission was created by a 1966 constitutional amendment. Open seats are filled by the governor with the Senate's consent. source: news.ballotpedia.org
- This replaces a similar amendment passed in 2025 (HB 788). The only difference: a person the Senate already rejected for the commission cannot serve as a fill-in. It passed unanimously (Senate 41-0, House 134-0). The sponsor was Sen. Will Smith, chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
Why supporters want it
- Shaoli Sarkar, advocacy director of the Maryland State Bar Association, said the 2025 version would let the commission "continue its work without delay due to member recusals or vacancies." source: news.ballotpedia.org
Why opponents object
- No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- For: the General Assembly passed it with no votes against, and the Maryland State Bar Association backed the earlier version. Against: no organized opposition found. 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 2
Constitutional Amendment
(Ch. 878 of the 2026 Legislative Session)
Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities
Authorizing temporary substitute appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified, or when a member's term expires. In these situations, the Commission Chair may recall a former member of the Commission, or the Governor, at the request of the Commission Chair, may appoint a temporary substitute member or extend the term of a current member until a permanent replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.
A vote FOR this amendment means that temporary appointments to the Commission are allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends without a replacement. The Commission Chair can temporarily fill an opening on the Commission with a former member. The Governor can, at the request of the Commission Chair, pick a temporary substitute to fill an opening on the Commission or extend the term of a current member until a replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.
A vote AGAINST the amendment means that current membership rules for the Commission stay the same. Temporary appointments are not allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends.
(Amending Article IV 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
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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Full text of the measure
The exact change to Article IV, Sections 4A and 4B 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 Senate Bill 933 (Chapter 878 of 2026) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- State Board of Elections: 2026 ballot questions
- 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.