Today, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that he will be convening the Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Work Group. The Work Group is tasked with making recommendations on the creation and implementation of the new public financing program. This action follows Baltimore County voters approving a charter amendment in November 2020 to bring balance to our democracy and make local government more representative and accountable to everyday people.

Both Common Cause Maryland and Maryland PIRG look forward to serving on the Baltimore County Fair Election Work Group and providing support as they work to implement a program.

“We are pleased that Baltimore County is joining four other jurisdictions across the state with small donor public financing. This reform will empower residents of the county and put them at the forefront of our elections and local government,” said Joanne Antoine, Executive Director of Common Cause Maryland. “This announcement also helps to build momentum at the state level where we are working to get the Maryland Fair Elections Act (SB 415) across the finish line.”

“Now that Baltimore County voters have endorsed Question A to establish a fair elections fund, I’m looking forward to working with community leaders to bring fairer, cleaner elections to Baltimore County by quickly finalizing the program,” said Emily Scarr, Director of Maryland PIRG.

Read Executive Olszewski’s press release here.
More information about the Work Group is available here.