State’s Attorney – The Attorney General’s Office has general charge, supervision, and direction of the legal business of the State, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. Such as the drafting and managing of contracts on behalf of the State. The handling of criminal and civil litigation cases instituted against State officials and committed by means of acts or omissions while executing their official duties.
Register of Wills – The purpose of the Register of Wills and the Orphans’ Court is to offer protection.
The office protects:
1) The decedent – that his or her last wishes will be carried out.
2) The heirs, legatees, and creditors – will receive what they are entitled to.
3) The State of Maryland – that the proper taxes and fees will be collected.
Wills of living persons, which are held for safekeeping by the Register of Wills, are not public records. In the State of Maryland, you may not review the Will of a living person if it is in the custody of the Register of Wills.
Also, the Register of Wills serves as the Clerk to the Orphans Court, which has jurisdiction over judicial probate, administration of estates, and conduct of personal representatives.
Circuit court clerk – The Registrar/Court Clerk sits in front of the judge and records orders made by the judge. He/she is responsible for administrative matters and is in charge of court documents and exhibits. They also record the names of witnesses, swears in the jury, and record the decision of the case.
Furthermore, the Clerk administers oaths to County officials, Judges, and Governor appointees issue business and marriage licenses, and performs civil marriage ceremonies. The Clerk also commissions Notaries Public.
Sheriff – The Sheriff is the Chief Constitutional Law Enforcement Officer. In the 21st century, the duties of the Sheriff fall into three main categories; Law Enforcement, Court Duties, and Civil Process and Correctional Facility Administration.
All Maryland Sheriffs and their Deputies are sworn Police Officers, graduates of certified police academies and have all the powers and authorities granted to any other law enforcement officer in the state, and are certified by the Maryland Police Training Commission. To qualify for positions, deputies are required to complete an accredited police training course supervised by the Maryland Police Training Commission. Continued training is required annually.
The office carries with it all of the common law powers, duties, serving warrants, subpoenas, evictions, and performing other responsibilities to preserve the peace, enforce the laws, and arrest and commit to jail felons and other infractors of the law. The powers and duties of the Sheriff are analogous to those imposed upon police departments. The Sheriff is the principal conservator of the peace within the County.
The major responsibility assigned to Deputy Sheriffs is the provision of security for judges, juries, and witnesses during trial sessions of both the Circuit and Juvenile Courts.
Judge of the Orphans’ Court – Orphans’ Court judges mainly are responsible for the supervision of estates that must go through probate. They also may appoint Guardians for the person and property of minors (persons under the age of eighteen).
In simpler terms, the main job of the Orphans’ Court is to supervise the management of estates of people who have died – with or without a Will – while owning property in their sole name.
Central Committee (CC) – is the grassroots backbone of the Maryland Democratic Party. Composed of activists and community leaders, it provides a core of enthusiastic workers and organizers. The Central Committee is constituted under Maryland’s Election Law to govern the Democratic Party. Each county and Baltimore City has its own central committee to manage party affairs in its jurisdiction. Central Committee members are elected at primary elections every four years. Any registered Democrat can run for a seat on his or her county’s central committee. To advance the party’s principles and help elect Democrats to public office, committee members register and assist voters, staff events, work at polls and phone banks, raise funds and resources, and support the party organization. In addition, the committee recommends appointments to the governor for the Baltimore County Board of Elections and helps to fill vacancies in certain elected offices.
***A member of a local Democratic central committee must be a registered Democratic voter and a bona fide resident of the county or legislative district represented. Any qualified person may run for the office by filing a candidacy with the local board of elections and submitting recommendations, information, and endorsements to the CC Executive Committee.***
Board of Education At Large (Non-Partisan)
The Local Board of Education is a policy-making legislative body, which manages and controls the respective local public school system within its district.
A School Board’s primary duty is to provide the opportunity for the best and most appropriate education for the children entrusted in its care. Except during an official meeting, a Board member has no more power, authority, or jurisdiction over school matters than any other citizen in the
community.
All members serve for a term of four years, except for the student member who may only serve a one-year term with the possibility of reappointment for a maximum of two, one-year terms. Each member serves until a successor is appointed and qualifies. The next election held in 2026.
Governor – As state managers, governors are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch.
State Atty. General – The Attorney General’s Office has general charge, supervision, and direction of the legal business of the State, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government.
In other words, the Attorney General serves as legal counsel to the Governor, the General Assembly, the Judiciary, and all State agencies, except the State Ethics Commission, which appoints its own counsel; the Commission on Civil Rights; and the Public Service Commission, whose counsel are appointed by the Governor. The Attorney General may render an opinion on any legal subject or matter upon the request of the Governor, the General Assembly (or its member), or a State agency (Code State Government Article, secs. 6-101 through 6-406).
State Comptroller – the comptroller pays the state’s bills, maintains its books, prepares financial reports, pays state employees, and deposits revenue received from state agencies.
US Senator– The Senate takes action on bills, resolutions, amendments, motions, nominations, and treaties by voting. Senators vote in a variety of ways, including roll call votes, voice votes, and unanimous consent.
The framers originally created the Senate “to protect the rights of individual states and safeguard minority opinion in a system of government designed to give greater power to the national government.”
Senators are empowered with two specific duties; to conduct impeachment proceedings of high federal officials, are tasked with exercising the power of advice and consent on treaties, and play an important role in the confirmation (or denial) of certain appointments including ambassadors and judicial court justices.
US Representative – Once you’re elected State Representative, your primary duties are to create and vote on bills that make new laws or modify and update old ones.
The House has several powers assigned exclusively to it, including the power to initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie.
State Senator – the Senator is responsible, along with the Maryland House of Delegates, for the passage of laws in Maryland, and for confirming executive appointments made by the Governor of Maryland.
As a State Senator, you’re a member of the legislative branch, just like a U.S. Senator. You’re elected by voters to represent them in the State Senate, where your primary duties are creating, debating, and voting on legislation that either makes new laws or modifies existing ones.
Delegates – The powers and functions of the Maryland House of Delegates are outlined in the Maryland Constitution. Along with the State Senate, the House has the power to approve laws, establish executive departments, levy taxes, and propose state constitutional amendments.
Circuit court Judges – They oversee the administration of the court, its budget, and procurement functions. Appointed by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, they also manage trial calendars to ensure the expeditious disposition of cases. Circuit administrative judges are aided by county administrative judges.