Question 1
Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026
Maryland · decided by every Maryland voter · 2026-11-03
Early voting, registration and the rest of the ballot: Wicomico County, Worcester County
What it is
A constitutional amendment about how the state pays for deals struck with its own employees' unions.
It would require the Governor's proposed budget to include the money needed to carry out agreed terms on wages, hours and benefits for state employees — whether those terms were reached by agreement or decided by a neutral third party.
Attached to it are changes in state law that take effect only if voters approve: they would create binding arbitration when bargaining reaches an impasse, with a neutral arbitrator deciding.
This concerns state employees. It does not govern how Salisbury or Wicomico County bargain with their own staff.
What your vote does
A vote FOR
The Governor would have to include funding for those agreed employment terms in the proposed state budget, and the binding-arbitration changes in state law would take effect.
Two limits survive either way: an item needing a change in law still requires the legislature to pass one, and an appropriation still requires the General Assembly to approve it. Wage awards remain subject to the state's budget limits.
A vote AGAINST
The amendment would not be adopted. The current arrangement continues, in which the Governor is not constitutionally required to fund those terms, and the attached arbitration changes never take effect.
The words on the ballot
Question 1 Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 155 of the 2026 Legislative Session) 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)
- For the Constitutional Amendment — A vote FOR this amendment means that the Governor has to include money in the proposed State budget to pay for agreements between the State and its employees. Agreements might include changes to wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Governor must put enough money in the State budget to cover the agreed upon pay and benefits for employees, whether those terms were negotiated or decided by a neutral decision-maker.
- Against the Constitutional Amendment — A vote AGAINST the amendment means that the law about funding agreements between the State and State employees stays the same.
What it costs
The Department of Legislative Services estimates state spending would rise by at least $150,000 a year from FY2028 — potentially significantly more — for arbitration services and additional labour relations and human resources staff.
It says state personnel costs could be affected significantly as early as FY2029, depending on what bargaining produces. State revenue is not directly affected, and local government finances are not directly affected.
Background
The Maryland Department of Budget and Management registered as favourable with amendments rather than for or against.
Unions including IBEW Local 24, ATU Local 1300, AFT Maryland, SEIU Local 500, the Maryland State Education Association and the state AFL-CIO also testified in favour.
Who is arguing what
In favour
Argues the current non-binding fact-finding process can leave an impasse unresolved indefinitely, and that binding arbitration gives both sides a defined end point and a reason to bargain seriously. Says the legislature keeps its budget powers either way.
Against
Argues the existing process has generally produced agreements, and that giving a third-party arbitrator the final word creates fiscal risk for institutions. Says funding obligations it cannot meet could put pressure on tuition, fees, services or jobs, and objects to the proposed bargaining timeline.
CivicBury does not argue for or against a ballot question. These are other people's arguments, with their names on them.
Sources
Official record
- Proposed constitutional amendment text (Maryland State Board of Elections)
- State ballot question summaries — Department of Legislative Services (note: enclosure pages carry superseded question numbering)
- 2026 ballot questions — Maryland State Board of Elections