Slot machines and the next president may be what’s most pressing on the minds of voters, but Anne Arundel voters will determine two county government process.
Two ballot questions dictate how Anne Arundel puts a bill into law and who gets to pick members of the county’s ethics commission.
Both efforts require amendments to the county charter, and only through a referendum can the charter be amended.
Question A asks if voters want to allow a bill approved by the County Council to become law if the county executive does not sign it within 10 days of its presentation to him or her.
The charter is ambiguous on when a bill becomes law in the event that it is unsigned; the amendment clarifies the law. There have not been any reported problems regarding this issue, officials said.
Question B asks voters if the council should pick three of the seven members of the county ethics commission, which oversees the ethical conduct of the county government and its officials and employees.
Current law allows the county executive to nominate all seven positions, with the council confirming the selections.
But Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville, said the council should have say over a commission that can pursue ethics violations and
issue advisory opinions regarding council members.
WEB EXTRA
Leopold's message to voters on ballot questions:
http://www.aacounty.org/CountyExec/Voters.cfm
Wording on questions on the State Board of Elections site:
http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2008/questions/anne_arundel.html
