UPDATE: Charles County Commissioner Ralph E. Patterson II Restored To 2026 Primary Ballot After Disqualification

The state’s 2026 candidate listing shows Patterson’s candidacy status as “disqualified” as of Monday, March 23, 2026. The listing does not specify the reason for the disqualification. State election officials later confirmed the disqualification was related to the late filing of his required 2025 financial disclosure form.

Patterson, a Democrat, currently serves as vice president of the Charles County Board of County Commissioners and has represented District 4 since December 2022. He filed for re-election and, as of the candidate filing deadline, was running unopposed.

Under Maryland election law, candidates seeking public office must meet a series of filing and eligibility requirements to appear on the ballot. For the 2026 election cycle, candidates were required to file a certificate of candidacy by Feb. 25, 2026, the official filing deadline set by the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Candidates must also establish a campaign finance entity, including appointing a treasurer, and comply with ongoing campaign finance reporting requirements. In addition, many local offices require candidates to submit financial disclosure statements with their local board of elections or ethics commission, typically due at or shortly after the time of filing.

Failure to meet required deadlines, submit necessary forms, or comply with campaign finance and disclosure requirements can result in a candidate being deemed ineligible, removed from the ballot, or listed as disqualified. Candidates may also be disqualified for not meeting eligibility criteria such as residency or voter registration requirements.

Patterson remains in his current elected position. The disqualification applies only to his candidacy for the upcoming election.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. The BayNet has reached out to Commissioner Patterson for comment and is awaiting a response.

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