The Maryland Board of Elections has decided to appeal the removal of a ballot question regarding Harborplace in Baltimore. The decision to appeal comes after a judge dismissed the question, which sought to amend the city’s charter to give voters a say in any redevelopment plans for the struggling waterfront tourist attraction.
The controversy stems from a dispute over the validity of the signatures collected to support the ballot question. The judge ruled that many of the signatures were invalid because they were collected before the required notice was given to the public about the proposed charter amendment. This led to the removal of the question from the ballot.
In response, the Board of Elections voted to appeal the decision, arguing that the judge’s ruling deprived Baltimore voters of their legal right to weigh in on the future of Harborplace. The board believes that the signatures were collected in good faith and that voters should have the opportunity to have their voices heard on such an important issue.
Harborplace has faced financial difficulties and a lack of investment in recent years, leading to concerns about its future. The ballot question sought to address these concerns by giving voters a say in any redevelopment plans for the iconic waterfront destination.
The appeal is expected to go to the Maryland Court of Appeals, where a final decision will be made on whether the question will be included on the ballot. In the meantime, stakeholders and residents continue to debate the best path forward for Harborplace and its importance to the city of Baltimore.
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