2008 Presidential Election -
Talbot County Ballot Question
Question A
Charter Amendment
Vacancies in the County Council
The County Charter provides that within 30 days of a vacancy in the County Council the remaining Council members fill it by appointing a new Council member from a list of three names submitted by the Central Committee of the political party to which the former Council member belonged. The proposed Charter amendment eliminates the Council's power to make the appointment if the vacancy is not filled within 30 days. After that, the Governor of Maryland would make the appointment within the next 30 days. If the Governor fails to act the vacancy would be filled by special election. For vacancies occurring more than 60 days prior to the filing deadline for the primary election for President of the United States, any appointment to fill that vacancy would be effective only until the ensuing presidential election and a special election would be held to fill the balance of the term.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Question B
Charter Amendment
County Council Salary Standard Commission
The County Charter currently sets compensation for members of the County Council at $14,400 per year, with the President of the Council receiving an additional $1,000 per year. The proposed Charter amendment would authorize the County Council to enact an ordinance to establish a Salary Standard Commission composed of seven members appointed by the County Council in accordance with Article 25A, ?? 5 (AA), of State law. Under that State law approximately one year before the end of each Council's term of office, the Salary Commission would provide recommendations to the sitting Council to set compensation and allowances for the next Council. The Commission could recommend an increase or decrease in compensation for the next Council, but the recommendations could not be for less than the amounts set by the County Charter. The Council could reduce or reject the Commission's recommendations, but could not increase them. The Commission's recommendations would become effective for the next Council if the sitting Council enacted an ordinance to adopt them. This process would not affect the sitting Council's compensation, which would remain the same throughout their term of office.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment