Baltimore County voters to decide on removing politics from inspector general selection

Baltimore County has been without an inspector general since January after County Executive Kathy Klausmeier's attempt to replace the previous inspector general failed, WYPR reported. The current system allows the county executive to nominate the inspector general, with the county council voting on the nominee.

The ballot question asks voters to change this process by giving an independent panel the authority to select the inspector general, removing elected officials from the decision. Councilman Izzy Patoka proposed the change to reduce political influence, noting that inspectors general have investigated elected officials in the past.

The measure also requires the inspector general to live in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area, addressing concerns raised when Klausmeier tried to appoint a candidate living outside Maryland, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

There is no organized opposition to the ballot question, and no committees have registered to advocate for or against it with the Maryland State Board of Elections. Early voting in Maryland starts Thursday, with Election Day on November 3.