On Wednesday the Committee to Control County Spending filed for a judicial review of at least 325 signatures they contend should be counted toward their proposed ballot referendum. In addition to the review, the Committee asks for the reasons they were rejected.
The Committee submitted two batches of signatures in July to place a referendum to curb county budget increases on the ballot. The referendum would amend the county charter. It would require a unanimous vote by the county council to increase the yearly operating budget by more than the rate of inflation.
Earlier this month the Board of Elections announced that upon review the 14,073 signatures submitted did not contain the 10,000 valid voter signatures needed to qualify for the referendum.
After an internal review, the Committee found the signatures they want to subject to court review. The Committee makes clear it respects the role of the Board of Elections, and it recognizes the difficulty with reading handwritten signatures.
“We believe the record shows that Montgomery County voters submitted more than enough valid signatures to place this question on the ballot.”
Their press release states, “We are optimistic and look forward to a favorable outcome. This referendum belongs to the thousands of Montgomery County residents who signed it. We look forward to a positive judicial review and to giving voters the opportunity
to decide the question at the ballot box this November.”
MCM reached out to the Board of Elections for a statement. They replied with, “No comment.”
