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Council member raises, then withdraws, motion to rescind advisory referendum on election location
Summary
Council member Sal Dodson argued a nonbinding referendum on where town elections should be held could confuse voters; he moved to rescind the earlier action placing that advisory question on the ballot but withdrew the motion and the council agreed to consider the matter on the June agenda.
Council member Sal Dodson raised concerns on May 14 about a previously approved nonbinding referendum question that would ask residents whether future town elections should be held at town hall or at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Dodson said the advisory question could create "confusion among the voters regarding authority and effect of the result" because the referendum would be advisory only and would not legally change polling locations.
Dodson described the legislative context, saying the Maryland General Assembly passed HB 322 about local elections and recounting that the council previously voted to retain local administration of the town election while also placing a nonbinding advisory question on the ballot. He moved to rescind the Jan. 15, 2026 action that had approved putting the advisory question on the ballot, arguing the advisory nature could create unrealistic expectations about automatic implementation.
Several council members suggested the issue be placed on the June agenda for fuller discussion so residents could be aware and weigh in; after that discussion Dodson withdrew his motion. Mayor Burton and council members confirmed there is time before ballots must be finalized and that they would revisit the matter in June.
What happens next: The council did not take a formal vote to rescind the referendum action; members agreed to consider the advisory-question issue on the June agenda and to check ballot printing deadlines before any final change.
