Baltimore County announced a call for applications to serve on the Fair Election Fund Commission for its new public financing system for County Council and County Executive candidates — beginning with the 2026 election cycle.
The Fair Election Fund Commission consists of nine members subject to confirmation by the County Council. The Commission will be responsible for estimating the amount of funding needed during the upcoming 2026 election cycle and making annual recommendations to the County Executive on the level of appropriations required for each forthcoming budget. Appointees will serve four-year terms.
To be eligible to serve on the Fair Election Fund Commission, an individual must be a resident and registered voter in Baltimore County.
In addition, individuals must not be:
- A candidate for public office in the previous, current, or next election cycle
- A Chair or Treasurer of an open campaign account
- An elected or appointed member of a local or State central committee of a political party
- A lobbyist registered with the County or the State
As previously reported on Conduit Street, Baltimore County voters in 2020 approved a Charter Amendment to make public funds available to County Executive and County Council candidates. Establishing a Fair Election Fund is a key priority for County Executive Johnny Olszewski, who called for a public financing option for local elections before taking office.
The Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Work Group's final report proposed a framework for the County's first public financing system for candidates for local offices. Based on the work group's recommendations, County Executive Olszewski introduced legislation to create Baltimore County's Fair Election Fund, which the County Council approved with bipartisan support.
Baltimore County will join the State of Maryland, Baltimore City, and three counties — Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George's — to offer a public financing option for candidates.
Residents interested in serving on Baltimore County's Fair Election Fund Commission can apply here until August 31, 2023.
More information about Fair Election Fund Commission is available here.
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