Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich welcomed a Circuit Court decision upholding the Montgomery County Board of Elections’ signature verification process, which resulted in a proposed County Charter amendment failing to qualify for the ballot.
The proposed amendment would require a unanimous vote of all 11 Montgomery County Councilmembers to approve an annual operating budget that grows beyond the local rate of inflation. Under the proposal, a single Councilmember could prevent such a budget from being adopted even if the other 10 supported it.
“The petition drive failed, and I believe that is the right outcome for Montgomery County,” Elrich said. “But its supporters have made clear they intend to come back in 2028, so residents deserve to understand exactly what they are being asked to support.”
Elrich said the proposal could affect the County’s ability to respond when expenses for schools, public safety, transportation, health and human services and other operations increase faster than inflation. He also pointed to Montgomery County’s decades-long history of maintaining Triple-A bond ratings from Moody’s, S&P Global and Fitch Ratings as evidence of the County’s fiscal management.
Supporters of the proposed Charter amendment have indicated they plan to pursue the measure again during the 2028 election cycle. Elrich said he will continue opposing it and plans to use budget forums, community meetings and regular briefings over the next two years to explain the County budget and the potential effects of the proposal.
“If this proposal comes back in 2028, I want Montgomery County voters to understand exactly what it would do and make their decision based on that,” Elrich said.
