Baltimore's latest no-bid election contract is the last one, officials swear

For decades, Baltimore has been awarding contracts for election services to the same vendor, often with no bids. On Wednesday, it awarded one more.

After assurances that the agreement would be the city’s last, the Baltimore Board of Estimates approved the $1.6 million contract with McAfee Election Services to provide oversight during the city’s primary and general elections.

The contract is unusual among election boards across Maryland. Most manage their election warehouses and vote-counting operations with their own employees. Baltimore instead contracts with Sam McAfee, a former employee of the city who once ran the city’s election warehouse.

Election Director Clifford Tatum told members of the city spending board Wednesday that he has advertised for a new warehouse manager to take the reins after the 2026 election cycle.



https://www.thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/baltimore-election-contractor-mcafee-GNGKBTCT5ZBKXKX2B4VPXQQESA/