Election Guide: Referendum Recap

Delegate Susan Krebs provided the following referendum ballot question summaries in correspondence with constituents over the past several weeks. Patch has compiled them here to help you prepare to vote on Election Day tomorrow Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Question 3: Suspension and Removal of Elected Officials 
Changes the point at which an elected official charged with certain crimes is automatically suspended or removed from office. Under existing law, an elected official who is convicted or pleads no contest is suspended and is removed only when the conviction becomes final. Under the amended law, an elected official is suspended when found guilty and is removed when the conviction becomes final or when the elected official pleads guilty or no contest.

Question 4: Public Institutions of Higher Education--Tuition Rates
Establishes that individuals, including undocumented immigrants, are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates at community colleges in Maryland, provided the student meets certain conditions. It also extends the time in which honorably discharged veterans may qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Question 5 asks voters if they want to keep the Governor's 2012 Congressional Redistricting Plan or if they would like to send the matter back to the Maryland General Assembly to be altered
The Governor's plan was sent to referendum after a large number of Maryland citizens signed a petition that challenged the law when it was originally passed in 2011.

Question 6: Civil Marriage Protection Act
Establishes that Maryland's civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beleifs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

Question 7 asks voters to expand gaming in Maryland to a sixth location before all of the current casinos are up and running. It also reduces tax rates for all current and future casino operators.