In a resounding, historic victory for Baltimore City residents, Question H, the proposal to reduce the Baltimore City Council from 14 to 8 district members, has been decisively defeated by 62% of Baltimore voters. This is only the second ballot question to be defeated in Baltimore City in 25 years. This outcome reflects the potential of Baltimore’s democracy and the power of grassroots, community-driven action.

Ashley Esposito, a member of Baltimore for Democracy, told 11 News Investigates that a smaller city council would harm residents, resulting in a city government that's less responsive and less democratic.

When asked to share her message to voters as they go to polls, Esposito said:

"I would say just look at who funds it. I mean, it's as simple as that. If this was something that--we have disagreements in communities all the time and those are valid disagreements. Some of us are not 110% happy with our city council folks. But at the end of the day, someone coming from the outside to do something that impacts all of us is just not good in general.

"We have over 70 donors from all different levels. Some people have given $5, some people have given $50. So I think that that speaks to how grassroots this is, and how much the community feels a sense of urgency to help us cross the finish line strong."

Read the full story at WBAL TV.

This November Baltimore voters will be asked if they want to reduce the size of the City Council from 14 to 8 districts. This question is nuanced and complex and we would like to help shed light on the issue by bringing together leaders in our community. Maryland Forward Party hosted a virtual debate to learn about the pros and cons of this proposed Charter Amendment by discussing, and then prioritizing, the potential problems facing this specific issue of Council size. By prioritizing the potential problems, we hope to inform voters and target meaningful solutions.

Baltimore For Democracy’s Andy Ellis took part in the debate.

With Election Day less than two weeks away, a coalition of Question H opponents — including city leaders, labor unions and progressive groups — has ramped up a campaign to persuade voters to defeat the proposal to shrink the Baltimore City Council. On Wednesday those for and against the measure laid out the main arguments at a virtual forum.

Could shrinking the Baltimore City Council from 15 to nine members help address many of the frustrations that residents have with City Hall, and perhaps even give them a stronger voice? […]

“He acts as if his proposal that he’s supporting and worked with David Smith’s money to get on the ballot cannot make things worse,” Ellis said. “But it will make things worse. It will make that concentration of power worse, and it will make the donor influence worse.”

Read more at the Baltimore Banner.

David Smith, owner of Sinclair Broadcasting, is supporting ballot initiatives that seek to diminish Black political power in Baltimore. This is part of a larger right-wing attack on the progress made in criminal justice reform, reparations, community-based violence prevention, and other progressive policy measures.

The panel included Baltimore For Democracy Chair Andy Ellis, NAACP’s Joshua Harris, Maryland State Senator Charles E. Sydnor III, and Maryland State Delegate Melissa R. Wells, and was moderated by Ray Baker.

Baltimore For Democracy held a press conference at City Hall, featuring coalition members and supporters: Baltimore City Councilman Ryan Dorsey, Andy Ellis (Baltimore For Democracy), Christy Frink (Baltimore For Democracy), Maryland State Senator Jill Carter, Chris Patterson (Baltimore City Not For Sale & Baltimore Teacher’s Union), Nnamdi Lumumba (Ujima People’s Progress Party & Baltimore For Democracy), Julia Ellis (Maryland Child Alliance), Jax Du (Common Grounds Coffee), Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos, and Dayvon Love (Leaders Of A Beautiful Struggle & Baltimore For Democracy).

Baltimore For Democracy, a grassroots coalition and state-recognized ballot issue committee, will hold a press conference on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 calling on voters to reject Question H, a charter amendment that would reduce the Baltimore City Council from 14 district seats to eight. The event will take place at City Hall, on the 4th floor outside the council chambers at 5:30 PM, and will feature a variety of speakers presenting arguments in opposition to the measure, and plans for the campaign to defeat it.

Meanwhile, Christy Frink, a member of Baltimore for Democracy, a grassroots coalition and ballot issue committee that opposes the proposed charter amendment, said community work is vital and exhausting.

One of the most important supports as volunteer leaders, she said, is access to councilmembers.

Frink said “a wealthy businessman who doesn’t even live here” was “pouring money into making our jobs harder.” Smith wrote in an op-ed in The Sun that the ballot initiative is “not some scheme to consolidate power.”

“I believe in this city,” Frink said, “and I believe we deserve better.”

Read the article here.

BALTIMORE, MD - Friday, September 6, 2024 - Today marks a significant milestone in the 2024 General Election as the Maryland State Board of Elections sends ballots to the printer. Vote-by-mail ballots will be distributed to tens of thousands of Baltimore City voters starting September 21st, with the first votes cast before the end of the month.

Baltimore for Democracy and the Baltimore City Not For Sale Coalition are joining together in a united call to action, urging elected officials, local organizations, and residents of Baltimore City to mobilize against Question H—a ballot initiative that proposes reducing the size of the Baltimore City Council from 14 district seats to eight. Both organizations contend that this measure would significantly diminish the representation of Baltimore's diverse communities and weaken the city’s democratic process.

Andy Ellis, a political organizer and likely Green Party candidate for governor in 2026, is chairing Baltimore For Democracy. Ellis and other organizers served on the city’s charter review commission which makes recommendations for upgrades and changes to the city charter. Ellis said their opposition to the ballot question was born out of that work.

[...]

Baltimore For Democracy, which includes fellow charter review commission members Dayvon Love and Julianne Montes de Oca, will likely be more grassroots and nimble, Ellis said. Some elected officials have joined the effort, however. Councilman Ryan Dorsey and School Commissioner Ashley Esposito are working with the coalition.

Ellis hopes to raise enough money to send workers to all city polls this fall and to do a door-knocking campaign ahead of the election. A digital ad campaign is planned as well.

Read more at the Baltimore Sun.

Baltimore for Democracy, a newly formed grassroots coalition, has been recognized by the State Board of Elections as a ballot issue committee opposing a November ballot measure that proposes reducing the size of the City Council from 14 to 8. The group, which has been meeting since June and includes elected officials, community leaders, and activists across Baltimore City, argues that the measure would harm Baltimore City residents and undermine the city’s democratic process if passed.