A lot is at stake for Maryland’s 2022 midterm election cycle. There are three major seats are up for grabs this election season including governor, attorney general, and comptroller. 

The wins for Maryland candidates Wes Moore and Anthony Brown would be historic for Maryland as Moore could become the state’s first Black governor and Brown could become the state’s first Black attorney general.

If Brooke Lierman wins, she will be Maryland’s first woman candidate to win a statewide election.

Aside from the potential historic wins at play, several issues are at the forefront of the ballot this year.

What’s on the ballot?

The most pressing question on the ballot this year is Question 4 which amends the Maryland constitution to legalize the consumption of marijuana for those over 21. It will also allow the passing of laws for the regulation, taxation, and distribution of marijuana. 

Question 3 raises the minimum amount of money – argued in a trial – that guarantees the right to a trial by jury from $15,000 to $25,000. The legislature can limit the right to a trial by a jury based on the amount disputed. 

Other questions on the ballot are Question 1 which renames the Maryland Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court of Maryland, Question 2 requires legislators to have six-months of residence in their district before the election, and Question 5 requires Howard County judges to serve on Orphan’s court. 

What positions will be affected? 

The governor and legislative positions are also at stake with Moore and Dan Cox as the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates.

Maryland voters have consistently voted Democratic in the state Senate and House elections despite voting for the term-limited incumbent Republican governor, Larry Hogan, twice. If Hogan were replaced with Wes Moore as governor then the state would be fully Democratic. 

Rep. Anthony Brown (D) and Michael Peroutka (R) are the candidates for attorney general. State delegate Brooke Lierman (D) and Barry Glassman (R) are the candidates for state comptroller. 

Congressional seats in the House and the Senate are primarily slated for Democrats to win with few challenges. The only currently contested race is between Rep. David Trone (D) and Del. Neil C. Parrott (R). 

What national issues are on the stage in Maryland?

Cox’s position on reproductive rights is against them and has said that if elected, he “promises to protect all life from conception,” an argument often used to restrict reproductive rights. Moore’s position is the opposite and has said that if elected, he will amend the constitution to protect reproductive rights.

Moore and Cox clash on other issues as well such as education. Cox remained rooted in fighting against “Critical Race Theory,” which he said is “marxism” in the Spokesman’s gubernatorial forum. Moore promised to protect teacher wages and provide more funding for schools. 

The “fight” against critical race theory indoctrination in schools by Republicans has been used to eradicate the histories of marginalized peoples from school curriculums in places like Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. The “fight” has also resulted in teachers being fired for teaching marginalized peoples’ history. 

Raven Fernandes contributed to this article.