Cecil Co Charter Changes on Ballot Aim to Fix County Exec Issues; State Question Would Close Kevin Hornberger Residency Loophole

NEWS ANALYSIS As in-person early voting in the General Election began on Thursday (10/27/2022), Cecil County voters will decide five local Charter amendments, including changes in selection of Ethics Commission members and requiring greater “transparency” on spending and real estate deals by the County Executive. The proposals are designed to address problems that emerged in the first two years of Danielle Hornberger’s administration. In addition, a proposed amendment to the State Constitution (Question 2) would require a state Delegate or Senator to “maintain” residency withing the boundaries of the district from which he/she was elected. Delegate Kevin Hornberger, Danielle’s husband, lived outside the boundaries of his former District 35-A, according to state land records, financial disclosure statements and sworn mortgage refinancing documents. He got away with using his parents’ address for years because no one challenged his residency within the limited less than two-week window for challenges to the State Board of Elections after a candidate files for office. Currently, the state Constitution only specifies a requirement for district residency at the time of filing but is silent on maintaining residency after an election and for the duration of the four-year Delegate term. A ‘yes’ vote on this state question […]