Current Mayor of Baltimore City
As of 2025, the Mayor of Baltimore City is Brandon M. Scott, a Democrat who took office on December 8, 2020. Baltimore operates under a strong-mayor form of government, meaning the mayor serves as the chief executive with significant administrative and budgetary authority over city departments, public safety, and economic development. The mayor also presides over the City Council and can veto legislation, subject to override by a two-thirds Council vote.
Maryland Counties Typically Do Not Have Mayors
Outside independent cities like Baltimore, Maryland counties are governed by a county executive and a county council. The executive serves as the chief administrative officer, and is sometimes informally referred to as the “mayor,” but the official title is county executive. Several counties share a border with neighboring jurisdictions and coordinate on regional priorities, but governance remains at the county level rather than a city-level mayor.
Term Length and Election Cycle
Baltimore City’s mayor serves a four-year term with no term limits, aligned with the state’s general election cycle in midterm years. The next regularly scheduled election for Baltimore mayor is therefore in 2027. County executives serve four-year terms as well, typically elected in the same cycle but officially titled executive rather than mayor.
Baltimore City Mayor Term Timeline
| Officeholder | Term Start | Term End | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon M. Scott | December 8, 2020 | December 2024 (elected 2020; serves through 2024 term end) | City of Baltimore Charter |
| Brandon M. Scott | January 2025 | January 2028 (projected) | Official Schedule |
How Baltimore City Government Differs From Counties
Baltimore City is an independent city, meaning it is not part of any county and operates as a separate municipal entity. This gives the mayor broader operational control within city limits compared to county executives, who share authority with state agencies and regional planning bodies. Independent cities have their own charter, police, school systems, and revenue streams, distinguishing them structurally from county-based governance.
Voter Resources and Official Information
To verify registration, polling locations, or candidate filings, residents should consult the Maryland State Board of Elections or their local Board of Elections. Contact details and office hours are available online through each jurisdiction’s website. For Baltimore City-specific services, the mayor’s office and city departments can be reached through 311 or the city’s official portal.
Clarifying Common Misunderstandings
Because the word “mayor” is sometimes used informally for county executives, confusion arises about who holds executive power outside Baltimore City. In Maryland, only Baltimore City and a few chartered municipalities have a mayor as defined by charter; elsewhere, the county executive serves a similar leadership role but under a different title. Understanding this distinction helps residents know which office to contact for services or advocacy.