Maryland ballot: Prince George's voters face council changes

Prince George's County voters head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, to settle four school board contests and decide on two council measures. The elections also set the stage for a special mayoral vote in New Carrollton on Monday, November 9. County executive Aisha Braveboy faces a write-in challenger, though incumbency and funding advantages make her victory likely.

The Board of Education races focus on districts where local concerns drive the campaigns. In District 2, Terence Clegg, a Greenbelt resident and human services worker, opposes Caroline Decaire-Goldin, a Riverdale teacher and D.C. education director. District 3 features Brentwood councilman Juan Arango-Millan against parent Jamie McGonnigal. McGonnigal argues that school districts need flexibility to avoid treating mandates as one-size-fits-all.

New candidates contest District 6, while District 9 offers the only race with an incumbent. Chandrai Jackson-Saunders, a former D.C. teacher and school psychologist, serves on the board since February. She faces Erica Bennett, a PGCPS principal with nearly 30 years of experience. These seats fill vacancies or replace elected members in a system facing performance challenges.

Question A asks if the County Council can impose taxes and fees on businesses deemed to harm community health or safety. This includes tobacco and liquor stores. A yes vote grants the council power to levy these charges without a specific public vote for each fee. A no vote keeps the current charter requirement for voter approval on new taxes.

The county faces a lawsuit over a $5,000 annual fee on tobacco, liquor, gun, and storage facilities. The council recently passed a bill to ban tobacco sales, a move described as legally questionable. Question B addresses the existence of two at-large council seats added in 2016. Proponents argue the seats allow members to bypass term limits. A yes vote reduces the council from 11 to nine members, while a no vote retains the status quo.

Tension between at-large member Jolene Ivey and Council Chair Krystal Oriadha frames the Question B debate. Oriadha supports the measure to eliminate the seats. Ivey, an opponent, has clashed with the chair previously. The outcome determines whether the council maintains its 11-member structure or shrinks to nine members.

New Carrollton residents will vote on November 9 to select a new mayor. Phelecia Nembhard was removed in September for violating a hiring freeze. Briana Urbina and Katrina Dodro run to fill the term ending in May 2027. Both candidates stated they will run for a full term next year. The city has 13,000 residents participating in this special election.