[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6660877,"mediaKeyId","2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459","parentId",2431199,"title","Commission discusses outreach plan, guest speakers and media strategy for Fair Election Fund","audioSeconds",1484,"startMs",1130000,"endMs",2614000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459&start=1130&end=2614","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459/thumbnail_1130000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660877/Baltimore-County/Maryland/Commission-discusses-outreach-plan-guest-speakers-and-media-strategy-for-Fair-Election-Fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660877-06cd9943f3315f48c8a52bb796a4d1f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213580&Signature=m2AjFA5gMoOabzv1~QqQHODBUVLRrrYaTz5mrdPqrGJLQU-uQdLoB-zuWgCYMMQeH9ewQj5ZDtmoGinpEl5n0bIUlOWrDjDiWFv2fvU-Lx3pcxo99ea4QFwWK5d58NKDheiDxvrsvA98oIop700RVw6n3EcZc-fUzjdM--bgOE2BPnAQgUz27JRSVzXId2LGwt5iJm5pqm5pyUWjzMR41t~iWZs8j-Na~M~VeoLl0GXkB7vfa6obj4J6sDnaPqyQbMPhGLlZYHchtYqS7vdqC5L4SYlM7qLohnzBa9VamfE7AAOj2ZhK7xrTHkZZlXNOwuf5cf1ArIsXhRB5hnFlxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baltimore County","date","2025-02-27T16:05:50.067Z","article","The Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Commission used its Feb. 10 meeting to shape outreach plans: commissioners asked staff to create uniform presentation materials, recommended inviting officials and candidates from other jurisdictions to speak, and discussed media and ethics considerations for outreach.

Shane Spencer, staff support, reported takeaways from Montgomery County’s experience and an analysis showing that candidates participating in that county’s public financing program received almost all of their funding from small‑dollar donations while nonparticipating candidates received far less from small donations. “Candidates that use their public financing ... got almost 100% of their funding from small dollar donations,” Spencer said, adding that participation did not reduce candidates’ chances of winning in Montgomery County.

Commissioners said they want a consistent one‑page flyer and presentation they can use when addressing civic groups, senior centers, chambers of commerce and party clubs. Marietta (commissioner) offered to leverage her networks — including League of Women Voters and NAACP chapters — to schedule meetings. Commissioners suggested inviting officials or administrators from Montgomery County and Howard County and hearing from candidates who used the funds, both successful and unsuccessful, to understand practical experiences.

Staff suggested resources for comparative research: Shane and others said the U.S. Government Accountability Office published a summary report on public financing programs across jurisdictions this year, and staff also suggested contacting Common Cause’s state contact (name cited in meeting) for outreach leads.

The commission discussed media outreach and budget: staff said reporters have begun to show interest and the Office of Communications can handle press relations and periodic releases, but paid advertising or newspaper placement would need a budget and advance planning. Commissioners also raised ethical and HR questions about commissioners doing outreach while on work time; staff advised checking with the ethics commission and HR for advisory guidance and offered that staff (Sam and Betsy) could tag‑team events where appropriate.

Staff said printed flyers can be mailed or left in Towson for commissioners to pick up and that the Fair Election Fund email is monitored by staff for follow‑up questions. Commissioners agreed to begin outreach soon — spring into summer — to build a calendar of community meetings ahead of 2026 candidate filing and the June 2026 primary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Commission Meeting, February 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed inviting Montgomery and Howard county program staff and successful candidate users as guest speakers, using a one-page flyer and county distribution lists for outreach, and checking ethics/HR rules for in‑person outreach by commissioners.","taxTitle","Baltimore County, Maryland","taxId",3882,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660882,"Commission hears redistricting update; staff says council commission appointed, recommendations due Oct. 1",280,546000,826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459&start=546&end=826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459/thumbnail_546000.jpg","/articles/6660882/Baltimore-County/Maryland/Commission-hears-redistricting-update-staff-says-council-commission-appointed-recommendations-due-Oct-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660882-729d93e0b61e1d0c7a0d03992b22996e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213580&Signature=HoHnKX6Z5e7ox6QaHh5W5xw0k36~20fCfvgPCVtNtEvD6STnZkZWjb3LnAIMKGhc6hsjyJbtfEKUykZRVlwUv~dS6p8E3ObN~qIPUyJphNXOFq9GN-kYpDMXNWmOm~VC13dxqOy~Jiv4EBm8xTfc~E5X48dTLfG~KA4KjaZg5KOFd5ysU67wWWxVr6hVLEjhkLtQX3FAnhO4tqz5zZEqgUpYpyi~2mViAhbT1oOzqTHg-y7y3T9fxNlnEiZmpPcmWIa0gsaibDRa~rm29BBFx1IqXHwn3GoX~6wdtPG0ceb3cDOgH2ESchrI7~ka1auUklbfjK0Wg7q1G7lSF7z4Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Baltimore County staff told the Fair Election Fund Commission on Feb. 10 that the County Council redistricting commission has been appointed, has begun meetings and is expected to submit recommended council districts to the County Council by Oct. 1, 2025.

Betsy (county staff) briefed the commission on the status of redistricting and said the commission has already met. “The commission has been appointed and it looks like their first meeting was January,” Betsy said. She advised that a sample map included with a bill to increase the size of the County Council is not in effect; the redistricting commission’s report and recommendations are the basis for the council to identify official districts.

Commissioners asked whether the County Executive or County Council made appointments; Betsy said she would confirm appointment authority and the composition of the redistricting panel. Sam (staff) later noted the county website lists representatives for each council district on the 2025 Redistricting Commission and that meeting schedules and member biographies are published there.

Commissioners discussed practical implications for prospective candidates. David Smith, the commission chair, asked whether candidates could begin participating in the Fair Election Fund under current district lines and then convert if their assigned district changes; Betsy and staff said yes — candidates may participate under current districts and would take steps to update their filings if their district changes once the redistricting process is finalized.

Commissioners also raised litigation concerns. A commissioner asked whether any lawsuits had been filed that would affect the timeline; Betsy said she was not aware of litigation and that redistricting litigation, if filed, would be handled by other county attorneys and not by her transactions team. The commission agreed this is an item staff and commissioners will monitor as candidate filing and outreach progress.","County staff told the Fair Election Fund Commission that the County Council redistricting commission has been appointed and is meeting; recommendations are to be submitted to County Council by Oct. 1, 2025, and candidates should plan under current districts until new maps are certified.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6660887,"Baltimore County commission adopts draft FAQs for Fair Election Fund",380,135000,515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459&start=135&end=515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431199-2aa31789f9788b99485dfd333eee0459/thumbnail_135000.jpg","/articles/6660887/Baltimore-County/Maryland/Baltimore-County-commission-adopts-draft-FAQs-for-Fair-Election-Fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660887-490574f4a5a3a69f538c383792d87713/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213580&Signature=mjUzWOF5h7XPrbVRWanJDxPGTxwcT4vkZ1mESjRv4yoU5FfzSpbOGc1QbCSbXLS5PV~IiyICqOk-ePJOEolbsMA3Ww8rkoPiFWd7wniWlFFqiNpMpWsVtrn5xuT7VmfTlL0Zs45Pcze2zhXURaHAhsVc9UPhhal-J5pkO05SgBl-nikwF6KHkg5wDNz9uGP0tAVD~EEzZYlwqd5WeqRqugFemQWB46WCCOq-DY~Mx28AfjTpP29B1dg09m~1~s9ZAVZ0yxAI8svfU3byWAF3k~tLPnGw3LXOiauhzxQSqJE45zi6c0OjeRTcSKpgClqzxc5tysdFDTlWhNi9YmpJjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Commission on Feb. 10 unanimously adopted a draft frequently asked questions document intended to help prospective candidates understand how to participate in the county’s public financing program.

The FAQ summarizes eligibility and procedural steps for prospective candidates, including becoming a candidate with the Baltimore County Board of Elections, registering a public finance committee with the state, filing a notice of intent, opening a publicly funded campaign account, raising the minimum number and dollar amount of qualifying contributions, and filing the periodic reports required by the program. Shane Spencer, staff support for the commission, summarized those steps during the meeting. “First, you have to have to become a candidate for public office in general, and you do that with the Baltimore County Board of Elections,” Spencer said.

The commission discussed presentation and clarity edits before voting. Commissioners asked that the FAQ make plain, early and visually distinct which offices are covered. David Smith, chair of the commission, asked that the document clearly indicate that the program applies to County Executive and County Council positions so that potential candidates who are seeking other offices do not proceed unnecessarily. Commissioners suggested emphasizing that point with bolding or other treatment in the text.

Bernice Tucker, the commission’s co‑chair, moved to adopt the FAQ as revised; Jamie McGuirk seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor; commissioners present said “aye” and the chair declared the motion adopted. The commission indicated staff will post and distribute the FAQ publicly and make printed flyers available for outreach events.

Staff and commissioners also noted practical follow‑ups: the FAQ and a one‑page flyer are intended as a basic introduction; the commission’s staff page and an email address will serve as points of contact for technical or legal questions. Spencer and Sam (staff) said the Fair Election Fund email is monitored by staff and they will respond to inquiries on the next business day.

The FAQ adoption was presented and decided as a formal action of the commission; staff will proceed to publish and use the document in outreach plans discussed later in the meeting.","The Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Commission unanimously adopted a draft frequently asked questions document to guide prospective candidates through eligibility and filing steps for publicly funded campaigns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission discusses outreach plan, guest speakers and media strategy for Fair Election Fund

Commission hears redistricting update; staff says council commission appointed, recommendations due Oct. 1

Baltimore County commission adopts draft FAQs for Fair Election Fund