From The Banner · · 1m
Howard County Ballot Questions 2026
Howard County voters decide gender-neutral charter language and affordable housing funding options in 2026 ballot.
In brief
Howard County voters decide gender-neutral charter language and affordable housing funding options in 2026 ballot. Howard County voters will approve or reject a charter amendment for gender-neutral language and affordable housing funding in 2026. Originally reported by The Banner.
Question A: Gender Neutrality
Howard County voters decide whether to replace gender-specific words in the county charter with gender-neutral terms like 'they' and 'them'.
“The County Charter uses gender-specific words like "he" and "she". The Charter Amendment would replace these types of words with gender-neutral words like "they" and "them".”
Question B: Affordable Housing
Howard County voters decide if the county can use capital budget bonds for affordable for-sale housing projects without owning the projects.
“The County Charter only allows the County to use its capital budget to finance an affordable housing project in its Housing Opportunities Trust Fund if the County owns the project.”
Charter Amendment Details
A vote for the gender-neutral amendment changes the charter to use gender-neutral language, while a vote against keeps gender-specific terms.
“A vote FOR the Amendment would make gender-neutral changes to the Charter. A vote AGAINST the Amendment would leave gender-specific words unchanged in the Charter.”
Affordable Housing Funding
The amendment allows the county to finance affordable housing projects through bonds without requiring ownership of the projects.
“The County would repay the bonds for the project over a defined time period, typically 20-30 years, and the affordable for-sale housing units must remain affordable for that period.”
Voter Impact
Howard County voters will determine if the county can fund affordable housing projects using capital budget bonds without owning the projects.
“This proposed charter amendment asks voters whether the county should be allowed to finance affordable housing by taking on debt in the form of bonds.”
The main idea
Howard County voters will approve or reject a charter amendment for gender-neutral language and affordable housing funding in 2026.
