What's on the ballot in Maryland? A closely watched Senate race, Baltimore mayor, abortion rights question and more.
Baltimore voters are casting ballots to decide key leadership positions in local and federal government. Here are some of the biggest races on the ballot for Maryland voters.
Baltimore Mayor
Mayor Brandon Scott (D): The incumbent mayor defeated former Mayor Sheila Dixon in the primaries last May. Scott is campaigning on a record of reduced violent crime rates in Baltimore, economic growth and investment in the youth.
In a heavily democratic city, a Scott victory would make him the first mayor re-elected to the position since Martin O'Malley in 2004.
Shannon Wright (R): Wright is a pastor, non-profit executive and radio personality. She served as the NAACP youth and college advisor and is a former member of the NAACP state board of directors. Wright is running on a platform that includes further reducing violent crime in Baltimore, and job creation.
She previously ran for mayor in 2020.
Baltimore City Council President
Zeke Cohen (D): Cohen defeated current City Council President Nick Mosby in the primary. He currently represents Baltimore's 1st District.
Cohen said equity and public safety will be his major focal points, if elected.
Emmanuel Digman (R): Digman boasts a strong background in community service with a commitment to "to making positive changes in the city." Digman is a military veteran and is a member of the Baltimore City Republican Central Committee.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin announced in 2023 that he would not seek reelection in 2024 and will retire after five decades in politics, attracting a lot of attention and money in the race for his open seat.
Angela Alsobrooks (D): The Prince George's County Executive launched her bid to represent Maryland in Washington D.C. in 2023. A Black woman who has been county executive since 2018, Alsobrooks called for more diversity in the Senate in her campaign announcement.
Some of her priorities include access to abortion care, criminal justice reform and investments in education. She defeated Rep. David Trone in May's primary.
Larry Hogan (R): The former two-term governor made a surprise bid for the open Senate seat by filing hours before the deadline last February. The Republican won a longshot bid for governor in 2015 and enjoyed high approval ratings in deeply blue Maryland for eight years. Hogan previously headed the No Labels political organization and is a fierce critic of former President Donald Trump.
The last Republican senator representing Maryland was Charles Mathias, who served from 1969 to 1987.
A Gonzales poll in September showed a close race between the two candidates.
U.S. House of Representatives
District 1: Incumbent Andy Harris (R) has served in Congress since 2011. He faces challengers Blane Miller (D) and Joshua O'Brien (L).
District 2: Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger announced his retirement after serving 21 years in Congress. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski (D) is challenging Kim Klacik (R) and Jasen Joseph Wunder (L) for the seat.
District 3: After serving in Congress for 18 years, Rep. John Sarbanes said in 2023 that he wanted to explore opportunities to serve the public outside of elected office. Sarah Elfreth (D) and Robert Steinberger (R) won their respective primaries. They will also face Miguel Barajas (L) in the general election.
District 4: Glenn Ivey (D) has served the 4th District since last year, filling the vacancy created when Anthony Brown became Maryland's Attorney General. Ivey faces George McDermott (R) in the general election.
District 5: Steny Hoyer (D) is seeking reelection. The former House Majority Leader has been serving Maryland's District 5 since 1981. He will be challenged by Michelle Talkington (R).
District 6: Rep. David Trone's unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate opened a vacancy in the 6th District. April McClain Delaney (D) will face Neil Parrott (R). Both candidates beat crowded fields in their respective primary elections.
District 7: Kweisi Mfume (D) is aiming for re-election in the 7th District. He is challenged by Scott Collier (R) and Ronald Owens-Bey (L).
District 8: Incumbent Jamie Raskin (D) is being challenged by Cheryl Riley (R) and Nancy Wallace (G). Raskin has been representing the 8th District since 2017.
Ballot initiatives
Maryland Question 1: Abortion rights will be on the Maryland ballot in 2024. Maryland's Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment would add a new section that guarantees a right to reproductive freedom, defined to include "the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one's own pregnancy."
Baltimore City Question F: This ballot measure asks voters if they would support rezoning portions of the Inner Harbor so that a developer can build on it, including the Harborplace project. MCB Real Estate plans to tear down the existing pavilions along the Inner Harbor to build a mixed-use complex that would include high-rise buildings.
The ballot question had initially been ruled unconstitutional by an Anne Arundel County judge but was overruled by Maryland's Supreme Court.
Baltimore City Question H: Baltimore voters will be asked if the city council should be reduced from 14 seats to eight. Here's how both sides feel about the ballot measure.
Baltimore County Question A: Baltimore County voters will be asked if they agree to increase council members from seven to nine. A vote yes means approval of the change.
Baltimore County Question B: Voters will be asked if an Office of Inspector General should be created in Baltimore County. The measure aims to provide accountability and oversight.
Baltimore County Question C: This measure asks voters if the terms of the planning board members should be limited to three consecutive three-year terms.