Question 2: Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities
Statewide — all of Maryland
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Placed on the ballot by the General Assembly as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, Chapter 878 of the 2026 legislative session (Senate Bill 933), per the State Board of Elections' ballot question page.[1]
The question on the ballot
Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities: Authorizing temporary substitute appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified, or when a member's term expires. In these situations, the Commission Chair may recall a former member of the Commission, or the Governor, at the request of the Commission Chair, may appoint a temporary substitute member or extend the term of a current member until a permanent replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission. (Amending Article IV of the Maryland Constitution)[1]
The amendment would amend Article IV of the Maryland Constitution to allow temporary substitute appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified or a member's term expires. The Commission Chair could recall a former member, or the Governor, at the Chair's request, could appoint a temporary substitute or extend a current member's term until a permanent replacement is appointed; only people who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements could serve.[1]
A YES vote means
A vote FOR this amendment means that temporary appointments to the Commission are allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends without a replacement. The Commission Chair can temporarily fill an opening on the Commission with a former member. The Governor can, at the request of the Commission Chair pick a temporary substitute to fill an opening on the Commission or extend the term of a current member until a replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.
A NO vote means
A vote AGAINST the amendment means that current membership rules for the Commission stay the same. Temporary appointments are not allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends.
The law today
Under Article IV, Sections 4A and 4B of the Maryland Constitution the 11-member Commission on Judicial Disabilities (3 judges, 3 lawyers, 5 public members, appointed by the Governor with Senate consent) investigates complaints against judges. After a member's term expires the Commission may continue to conduct business with that member serving until the Governor appoints a replacement; vacancies are filled by the Governor for the unexpired term. Under Maryland Rule 18-411 a majority is a quorum if it includes at least one judge, one attorney and one public member, and where recusals or vacancies leave a proceeding without that mix the Supreme Court of Maryland may, with the written consent of the judge who is the subject, designate a substitute.[2]
Official fiscal estimate
Department of Legislative Services fiscal and policy note on SB 933 (Third Reader): if voters approve, the Commission on Judicial Disabilities experiences operational efficiencies; there is otherwise no material impact on State finances or operations. Local effect: none.[2]
Arguments made for
- None found in public sources.
Arguments made against
- None found in public sources.
Research notes & limits
Ballot text and the for/against explanations are taken verbatim from the Maryland State Board of Elections' ballot question page. Maryland publishes no voter pamphlet with arguments, and no campaign or news statements for or against this question were found, so neither argument list is filled. The fiscal note is from the Department of Legislative Services (SB 933, Third Reader). No supporter or opponent statements and no campaign finance were found.
Sources · 2
Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.Ballot questions for the November 3, 2026 election · Maryland State Board of Elections Official record
- 2.SB 933 Fiscal and Policy Note (Third Reader): Judiciary Department - Commission on Judicial Disabilities - Temporary Appointment · Maryland Department of Legislative Services · 2026-03-21 Official record