The Town of La Plata has adopted an ordinance requiring members of its Town Council to resign if they seek election to any other public office, a measure supporters say will strengthen local governance and public trust.
Ordinance 26-03, introduced by Councilman Tyjon C. Johnson of Ward IV and approved by a 4-1 vote on June 23, 2026, adds a new Article V to the town’s elections chapter. It mandates that any incumbent council member who files a certificate of candidacy for a position outside the Town Council — including federal, state or county office — must resign immediately from their current seat.
The rule does not apply to council members seeking re-election to their current seat, election to another town council position such as mayor, or a different ward. It also excludes members of boards, commissions or other appointed bodies. The ordinance applies only to elected council members and those appointed to fill vacancies.
Under the new section, a council member must submit a written resignation to the town clerk no later than the next business day after filing candidacy paperwork. The resignation becomes effective upon filing unless an earlier date is specified, and it is irrevocable once effective. Failure to resign results in the position being declared vacant, with the vacancy filled according to the town charter.
The ordinance includes due-process protections. Before any formal action to declare a vacancy, the affected member is entitled to a public hearing before the Town Council. The town clerk must provide at least 10 business days’ written notice, and the member has the right to appear with counsel, present evidence and respond to the proposed action. A majority vote of the remaining council members present is required to declare a vacancy.
Proponents framed the measure as a way to prevent divided loyalties and potential conflicts of interest during campaigns. The ordinance’s findings state that seeking another office can create conflicts and may impair a member’s ability to fully discharge current duties. It emphasizes that council members should devote their full time, attention and loyalty to town residents while in office.
Councilman Johnson, who introduced the legislation, described it as consistent with principles of good governance. In a social media post after the vote, he noted that it is the first such ordinance among Maryland municipalities to his knowledge. He highlighted that local government operates closest to the people and that public officials must remain focused on community issues rather than higher ambitions mid-term.
While Maryland’s Constitution prohibits holding two offices of profit simultaneously, it does not address the period when an officeholder is actively seeking another position. The La Plata ordinance uses the town’s local authority to address that gap, requiring resignation at the point of formal candidacy rather than only upon election or assumption of a second office.
Similar “resign to run” provisions exist in various forms across the country, often aimed at maintaining focus on current responsibilities and avoiding the use of public resources or position for campaign advantage. In smaller municipalities like La Plata, where council members often balance full-time jobs with part-time elected service, the rule could influence decisions about pursuing county, state or federal roles.
The ordinance becomes effective 15 calendar days after council approval. It applies prospectively to future candidacies and does not retroactively affect current officeholders unless they file for another office after the effective date.
For residents of La Plata and the broader Charles County area, the measure signals an effort to codify expectations around dedication and transparency in local government. Council members serve on issues ranging from zoning and public safety to community development, and the new rule aims to ensure those responsibilities remain undivided during any pursuit of other elected positions.
The Town Council’s action follows a pattern of local governments refining rules to address modern governance challenges while remaining consistent with state law. With the ordinance now in place, future council members considering runs for higher office will face a clear requirement to step down from their current role first.
