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Maryland · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

Question 1: what your vote means

Funding state employee labor agreements and arbitration awards. On every Maryland ballot. Official sources checked October 26, 2026.

Question 1 · Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

Funding state employee labor agreements and arbitration awards

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

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. (Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)

Ballot question text as posted by the Maryland State Board of Elections.

A YES vote means:

The Governor would have to include enough money in the proposed state budget to pay for agreements with state employees, whether those terms were negotiated or decided by a neutral decision-maker.

A NO vote means:

The law about funding agreements between the State and state employees stays the same.

What it would change

  • Who is affected: state employees and their unions, the Governor, and the state budget.
  • Related law: if voters approve, a companion law takes effect that establishes binding arbitration when state employee negotiations reach an impasse (Department of Legislative Services).
  • Scope: wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.
  • Fiscal impact (Department of Legislative Services): State expenditures increase annually, likely by at least $150,000, if not significantly more, beginning in FY 2028 for arbitration services and additional labor relations staff; state personnel spending could be affected, potentially significantly, as early as FY 2029. Local government finances are not directly affected.

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed.

Who supports it

Not yet compiled

Who opposes it

Not yet compiled

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.