Bowie council adopts charter amendments to modernize election rules and move recall procedures to city code

The Bowie City Council voted on Jan. 20 to adopt Charter Amendment Resolution CAR-3-25, which updates sections 21 through 37 of the city charter to align city election procedures with Maryland law and current administration practices.

City Clerk Walter Hernandez and the city attorney described the changes as clarifying rather than substantive: the charter will now explicitly define city voters as those on the statewide voter registration list with a Bowie address who are at least 18 on election day; notice requirements may include the city website, social media, newsletter, cable and municipal buildings; appointment timing, term-start dates and conflict-of-interest restrictions for the board of elections are strengthened; the candidate filing deadline was extended to 60 days before an election; and the procedural details for recall were moved from the charter into the city code so that the charter retains the right of recall while the code will detail how a recall is executed.

Council members discussed specific language clarifications — for example, wording to address at-large council positions — and asked staff to bring companion code language after the charter changes. No members of the public spoke during the hearing; the clerk reported no emails or written comments were received. After a short discussion and a motion to adopt (with previously discussed clarifying language included), the council voted to adopt CAR-3-25.

Why it matters: The amendments are intended to remove outdated terminology, improve clarity and preserve nonpartisan election administration while aligning the charter with state law and the city’s current practices.

Ending: Council asked staff to prepare the companion municipal code sections for review at a future meeting.