Tell your legislators that enough is enough.
Maryland must adopt special elections now!
Maryland does not allow voters to choose their replacement lawmaker when an elected official must vacate their seat mid-term. Instead, Maryland uses an appointment system.
Currently, there are 30 appointed members of the MD House of delegates (out of 141,) and 12 appointees in the MD State Senate (of just 47.) This does not include the soon to be appointed replacement for District 27 senate.
The central committee of the party of the person who has vacated their seat will nominate a replacement for the governor to confirm. This person will complete the rest of the term, but is never chosen by the electorate. And if/when they choose to run for the next term, they will almost always win due to name recognition.
We've seen countless examples over the past few years, of the appointee being chosen by a small group of insiders before public interviews ever take place. We've seen central committee chairs nominate themselves and win. We've seen family members of other lawmakers win. This system is guided by cronyism and cronyism is not democratic. This system undermines the concept of one person, one vote. This system must end.
We believe Maryland must adopt Special Elections THIS SESSION, to secure democracy for all residents of Maryland, to reduce corruption, and to give full control of the legislature to the people.
If you agree, sign the petition below. These names will be delivered to applicable members of the Maryland General Assembly during the 2021 session.
Currently, there are 30 appointed members of the MD House of delegates (out of 141,) and 12 appointees in the MD State Senate (of just 47.) This does not include the soon to be appointed replacement for District 27 senate.
The central committee of the party of the person who has vacated their seat will nominate a replacement for the governor to confirm. This person will complete the rest of the term, but is never chosen by the electorate. And if/when they choose to run for the next term, they will almost always win due to name recognition.
We've seen countless examples over the past few years, of the appointee being chosen by a small group of insiders before public interviews ever take place. We've seen central committee chairs nominate themselves and win. We've seen family members of other lawmakers win. This system is guided by cronyism and cronyism is not democratic. This system undermines the concept of one person, one vote. This system must end.
We believe Maryland must adopt Special Elections THIS SESSION, to secure democracy for all residents of Maryland, to reduce corruption, and to give full control of the legislature to the people.
If you agree, sign the petition below. These names will be delivered to applicable members of the Maryland General Assembly during the 2021 session.