With Election Day 2024 arriving – finally – tomorrow, here’s some key information for city voters on how, where and when to vote and also about the two most controversial questions on the ballot.

Go to this link to see what’s on the ballot you’ll encounter, including candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and President.

A resource list below includes hotlines to get help with questions about voting rights and access as well as rides to the polls.

The State Board of Elections is the main source for Maryland voters to get information – their Rules and Information for Voters is a starting point – but groups focusing on the concerns of disabled people, non-English speakers and those impacted by the criminal justice system are offering specialized help.

Even though all local elected offices in deeply blue Baltimore were decided in the May Democratic Party primary, there is still some drama to be found in the city where the tradition of in-person voting appears to remain strong.

While early voting turnout was robust in some parts of the city, the final tally by state election officials shows it was relatively light compared to rural parts of Maryland.

Four counties – Queen Anne’s, Calvert, Talbot and St. Mary’s – all reported early voting turnout of more than 30% of their registered voters, while Baltimore City reported turnout at just 13.4%.

Opponents of local ballot measures have a particularly stiff challenge given voters’ history of approving whatever question comes before them – only one ballot question has been rejected in the last 25 years.

Question F

The future of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor waterfront, specifically the public parkland around Light and Pratt streets, is the focus of Question F.

When the Inner Harbor Park was created “in perpetuity” for public enjoyment 50 years ago, only retail and restaurants were allowed at the two Rouse-built Harborplace pavilions.

Question F would allow residential development and parking facilities on the parkland.

The current owner of Harborplace, MCB Real Estate, is pushing for approval, saying it is essential to replace the two low-rise buildings with twin 25- and 32-story apartment towers. MCB also wants to build a sail-shaped restaurant/retail structure and a midrise office building on the site.

• Previous Brew coverage: The Future of Baltimore’s Harborplace

Supporters point to vacant storefronts at the pavilions and argue that apartments and more retail would enliven the area and bring back tourists.

Opponents call MCB’s plan a land grab that will privatize a public park with shadow-casting luxury high-rises. They argue that other approaches are needed to revive the area.

“All of us here want to see Harborplace renovated,” former City Council member Jody Landers said today as part of a “closing argument” rally held at the waterfront.

“What we are opposed to is spending $400 million in public funds to support a private development in what should be public space,” Landers continued.

Former councilmembers Tony Ambridge and Rikki Spector were among those asking voters to vote “no” on the measure.

Question H

Question H would amend the charter to reduce the number of City Council members from 14 to eight.

Its primary backer – and funder – is David Smith, the conservative chairman of the Sinclair Broadcast Group and majority owner of the Baltimore Sun.

Supporters of Question H say the council should be downsized to reflect Baltimore’s decades of population loss. Doing so would save money, they argue, noting that the yearly operating budget of the council is more than $10 million.

Question H’s critics note that the measure got a thumbs down from the Charter Review Commission, which concluded that fewer council members would not lead to savings, but would likely result in a higher workload for a reconfigured staff.

In recent weeks, elected officials led by Mayor Brandon Scott, along with labor unions and progressive groups, have mounted an opposition campaign.

Their “Stop Sinclair” effort warns that Question H will weaken the council’s ability to provide constituent services and open the door to wealthy donors like Smith gaining more influence in the city.

Information and Resources

Polls open tomorrow at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You can find your assigned polling place by plugging in your address here.

Make sure you are registered to vote. If necessary, you can register at your polling place on Election Day.

To do so, bring a document that proves where you live. (An MVA-issued license, ID card, or change of address card, your paycheck, bank statement, utility bill, or other government document with your name and address.)

Mail-in ballots can be taken to drop-off boxes around the city until 8 p.m. tomorrow. A list of drop boxes is found here.

Federal law enforcement is on alert this election day, with agents available to answer questions about possible voting rights infringement or election fraud.

To reach the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, call 301-344-4433. The local FBI field office can be reached at 410-265-8080.

Federal offices and banks remain open tomorrow, but state, city and Baltimore County offices will be closed.

Hotlines and More

Everyone Votes Maryland and Expand the Ballot, Expand the Vote released this list of hotlines and contacts to provide special assistance:

Common Cause MD – 866-687-8683 – is a national election protection hotline offering information about voting options. Open 9:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends. Trained nonpartisan volunteers will be monitoring certain polling locations and assisting voters. Website.

ACLU-MD Election Protection Hotline – 667-219-2625 – has  information about voter eligibility, voter registration, voting by mail, drop boxes and more. Open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Website.

League of Women Voters of Montgomery County – 301-984-9585 – is available in English from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and in Spanish from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Website.

Disability Rights Maryland – 443-692-2512 or Voting@DisabilityRightsMD.org – helps with issues impacting people with disabilities, including accessible voting machines and access to ballots. Website

Maryland Justice Project – 443-462-9271 – provides rides to the polls in the Baltimore area.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund engages with Latino and “environmental justice” communities, offers an online Voter Tool that enables eligible individuals to register to vote, find polling locations, request a mail-in ballot and more. English website and Spanish website.

National Multi-Language Hotlines:

Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682).

Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).

Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287).