How Do I Find Out Who the Current Mayor of Baltimore Is?
Brandon Scott has served as Baltimore's mayor since May 2020 and was reelected in November 2023 for a second four-year term running through 2028. You can verify his current status and contact his office through the City of Baltimore's official website at baltimore.gov, where the Mayor's Office maintains public phone lines and constituent services information.
How the Mayor's Office Works in Baltimore
The mayor of Baltimore is the chief elected executive of the city government, separate from Baltimore County, which has its own county executive. This distinction matters: the mayor's authority covers only the 80.9 square miles within Baltimore's city limits, not the surrounding county. The mayor's office oversees city agencies including the Police Department, Department of Public Works, Planning Department, and Housing and Community Development.
The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, established in 2021, coordinates crime reduction strategies across multiple city agencies and reports directly to the mayor. This structure emerged from Baltimore's persistent homicide challenges and represents how the mayor's office can reshape city priorities through internal reorganization.
Election Schedule and Term Length
Baltimore mayors serve four-year terms and can serve multiple consecutive terms with no legal limit. Elections occur in years divisible by four: 2024, 2028, 2032, and so on. The next mayoral election will be in 2028, unless a special election is called due to a vacancy. This differs from some U.S. cities with two-term limits or staggered elections.
Accessing Mayor's Office Services
The Mayor's Office operates a public line for constituent complaints and requests Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Common reasons to contact include pothole reports, street light outages, housing code violations, and concerns about city services. You can also submit requests through 311, Baltimore's non-emergency service line, which routes complaints to appropriate departments.
The mayor's office also oversees the Office of Inspector General, which investigates allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse within city agencies. This office accepts complaints from residents and city employees.
Differences Between Baltimore's Mayor and County Leadership
The Baltimore City Mayor is not the same person as the Baltimore County Executive. The city and county are separate jurisdictions with different elected leaders. Many residents live in Baltimore County suburbs (like Towson, Dundalk, or Columbia) and have a county executive rather than a city mayor. This confusion matters practically: if you need a city permit or service, you contact the city mayor's office; for county services, you contact the county executive.
Accountability and Public Records
The mayor's office is subject to Maryland's Public Information Act, which means you can request records of decisions, contracts, and communications. Requests typically go through the City Solicitor's Office or individual departments. The mayor also must present an annual budget to the Baltimore City Council, which holds power to approve, modify, or reject budget proposals.
The mayor appoints the police commissioner, who must be confirmed by the Baltimore City Council. This separation of powers means the council can block mayoral appointments or override the mayor's veto with a two-thirds majority.
Related Questions
Can I attend meetings of the mayor's office or city council? Baltimore City Council meetings are typically open to the public and held at City Hall on Holliday Street. Schedules and agendas are posted on baltimore.gov. Some mayor's office task forces and working groups also hold public meetings, though specific schedules vary by initiative.
How can I report a complaint directly to the mayor's office rather than calling 311? You can submit written complaints through the mayor's website or contact the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services by phone during business hours for issues that don't require an emergency response.
