Ellis/Andrews Campaign Backs Bipartisan Fix for Maryland's Constitutional Convention Process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2026
CONTACT: Andy Ellis andy@gogreen2026.com
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews, Green Party candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor of Maryland, are endorsing HB 979, a bipartisan bill that simplifies how Maryland counts votes to a clear majority when asking if a constitutional convention will be called. The bill was introduced by Delegates Kevin Hornberger (R-Cecil County) and Vaughn Stewart (D-Montgomery County).
Under Article XIV, Section 2 of the Maryland Constitution, a constitutional convention requires approval from a majority of all voters participating in an election — not just those who vote on the question. HB 979 is a constitutional amendment that would change the standard to a majority of votes cast on the convention question. If the bill is passed by three-fifths of both houses, the amendment would go to voters at the November 2026 general election.
The problem is not hypothetical. In 2010, Maryland voters were asked whether to call a constitutional convention. Of the 1,865,284 ballots cast, 897,239 voted yes (48.1%), 751,228 voted no (40.3%), and 216,817 left the question blank (11.6%). A clear majority of those who voted on the question said yes. The convention was not called.
"If more people vote yes than no, the answer should be yes," said Andy Ellis, Green Party candidate for Governor. "That's how every other ballot question in Maryland works. The convention question is the only one where skipping it functionally counts as voting against it. A Republican from Cecil County and a Democrat from Montgomery County agree this needs to change. And so do two Greens from Baltimore."
Lt. Governor candidate Owen Silverman Andrews emphasized the broader purpose of the convention mechanism. "A constitutional convention is the means the constitution gives us to ask big questions and put them in front of the voters," said Andrews. "Maryland's constitution says we should have that opportunity for a more direct form of democracy every twenty years. But it doesn't work when this rule unfairly advantage no, which concentrates the power of government at the expense of people’s power."
The Ellis/Andrews campaign has made constitutional reform a centerpiece of its multiparty democracy platform. The campaign maintains a dedicated issue page and policy brief on constitutional conventions at gogreen2026.com/constitutional-convention.
HB 979 has been referred to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. No hearing date has been scheduled. The campaign urges the committee to schedule a hearing and provide a favorable report.
About the Ellis/Andrews Campaign
Andy Ellis and Owen Silverman Andrews are running for Governor and Lt. Governor on the Green Party ticket. Their campaign is seeking public financing and small donors. Learn more at gogreen2026.com.