The first three questions on the Maryland ballot are constitutional amendments to the Maryland State Constitution.

Question 1

Question 1 requires judges of the Orphan’s Court for Prince George’s County to have been admitted to practice law in Maryland and be in good standing with the Maryland Bar.

In Maryland, the Orphan’s Court has jurisdiction over guardianships of minors, and handles estates of people who have died while owning property in their sole name.

The Maryland State House initially approved the amendment following a 105-29 vote in April 2011, and the Senate approved the amendment shortly after with a unanimous vote.

Question 2

Similar to Question 1, Question 2 lays out the same qualifications for Orphans’ Court judges, except the measure applies to Baltimore County, also. The proposed amendment was officially referred to the state ballot on April 20, 2012.

Question 3

Question 3 provides conditions under which an elected official convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors will be removed from office.

Under existing Maryland law, an elected official who is convicted or pleads no contest is suspended from office and is removed only when the conviction becomes final. If the new amendment is passed, an elected official is suspended from office when found guilty and will be removed from office when the conviction becomes final, or when the elected official pleads guilty or no contest.

Question 4: Maryland DREAM Act

Question 5: Congressional re-districting

Question 6: Same-sex marriage

Question 7: Casino expansion