On August 31st, the Maryland LCV filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Secretary of State for changing the land conservation ballot Question #1.

At the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, we take the word "voter" in our name very seriously. We felt it was our obligation to to speak out for Maryland voters, who care deeply about land conservation. The ballot question re-written by the Ehrlich Administration is confusing and misleading.

Read the two different versions of the ballot question here.

Later that same day, the Secretary of State agreed to change the language back to what the General Assembly had passed. This is a great victory for the environment!

This ballot measure is critical to protect land purchased by the state for conservation. This measure will help protect our parks, farms, and open spaces from out of control development and sprawl.

In 2005, after a proposed deal by the Ehrlich Administration to sell conservation lands in St. Mary's County, the legislature passed a bill that put a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November to prevent the Governor or the Board of Public Works from selling off conservation lands without legislative oversight. Last week the language that is to appear on the ballot was made public and is different from what the legislature recommended.

A letter obtained by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters written by the Attorney General's Office to the Secretary of State revealed the Attorney General disapproved of the Secretary of State's re-written language.

In the News

- Baltimore Sun: Ballot question wording tossed, Md. secretary of state reverts to Assembly's land-sale language
- Gazette: Ehrlich gives on land sale ballot wording, Conservation group sues state to force simpler language on question
- Baltimore Examiner: Editorial: Ballot change requires courtesy check

Read the press release:
 Maryland League of Conservation Voters Files Lawsuit  (39.85 KB)