OCEAN CITY, Md. — The Ocean City Council is evaluating a set of proposals that would significantly raise the bar for local election candidates. One recommendation would extend the minimum residency requirement from four months to at least one year, possibly two. Another would block candidates from using a property with a rental license as their claimed residence. Elected officials would also be required to maintain legal residency in Ocean City throughout their term.
The discussion, which began earlier this year, remains in progress. If a formal charter amendment is introduced and adopted, it would go into effect 50 days later. No cost impact is expected. Council members are also debating whether they should continue overseeing candidate eligibility directly or delegate that authority to the town’s Board of Supervisors of Elections. A vote has not been scheduled.
