Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Maryland, State Senate, District 46

Maryland State Senate District 46
Current incumbentBill Ferguson Democratic Party
Population117,443
Race53.67% White, 34.62% Black, 5.75% Other, 2.74% Two or More Races, 2.49% Asian, 0.65% American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.07% Pacific Islander

Maryland's forty-sixth state senate district is held by Democratic Senator Bill Ferguson.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 117,443 civilians reside within Maryland's forty-sixth state senate district. Maryland state senators represent an average of 128,180 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 122,842 residents.

About the office

Members of the Maryland State Senate serve four-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Maryland legislators assume office the second Wednesday in January after the election.

Qualifications

Section 9 of Article 3 of the Maryland Constitution states, "A person is eligible to serve as a Senator or Delegate, who on the date of his election, (1) is a citizen of the State of Maryland, (2) has resided therein for at least one year next preceding that date, and (3) if the district which he has been chosen to represent has been established for at least six months prior to the date of his election, has resided in that district for six months next preceding that date.

If the district which the person has been chosen to represent has been established less than six months prior to the date of his election, then in addition to (1) and (2) above, he shall have resided in the district for as long as it has been established.

A person is eligible to serve as a Senator, if he has attained the age of twenty-five years, or as a Delegate, if he has attained the age of twenty-one years, on the date of his election."

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$50,330/year$106/day for lodging; $47/day for meals.

Vacancies

The Governor is responsible for filling all vacancies in the senate.

The Governor has 30 days after the vacancy to make an appointment based on the recommendations of the political party committee that holds the vacant seat. The political party committee has up to 30 days after the vacancy to submit a list of recommended candidates to the Governor. If the party committee fails to act within the 30 day deadline, the Governor has 15 days to appoint a person from the political party that last held the seat.

The person appointed to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.

Elections

2018

General election
General election for Maryland State Senate District 46

Incumbent William Ferguson IV (D) defeated Christine Digman (R) in the general election for Maryland State Senate District 46 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

William Ferguson IV (D)
78.2
26,203

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Christine Digman (R)
21.6
7,238
Other/Write-in votes
0.2
60

Total votes: 33,501
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Maryland State Senate District 46

Incumbent William Ferguson IV advanced from the Democratic primary for Maryland State Senate District 46 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

William Ferguson IV (D)
100
9,572

Total votes: 9,572
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Maryland State Senate District 46

Christine Digman advanced from the Republican primary for Maryland State Senate District 46 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Christine Digman (R)
100
774

Total votes: 774


2014

Elections for the Maryland State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014. Incumbent Bill Ferguson defeated Mateen Zar in the Democratic primary. Ferguson had no ballot competition in the general election; Zar continued as a write-in candidate.

Maryland State Senate District 46, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBill Ferguson Incumbent 99.6% 17,320
Democratic Mateen Zar (write-in) 0.4% 77
Total Votes 17,397

Maryland State Senate, District 46 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBill Ferguson Incumbent 89.8% 7,282
Mateen Zar 10.2% 829
Total Votes 8,111

2010

Elections for the office of Maryland State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2010, and a general election on November 2, 2010. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 6, 2010. Bill Ferguson (D) was unopposed in the general election and defeated George Della in the Democratic primary.

Maryland State Senate, District 46 Democratic Primary, 2010

Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngBill Ferguson 59% 5,248
George Della 41% 3,641
Total Votes 8,889

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2014, candidates for Maryland State Senate District 46 raised a total of $928,911. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $92,891 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Maryland State Senate District 46

Year Amount Candidates Average
2014 $259,173 2 $129,587
2012 $30,514 1 $30,514
2010 $323,897 2 $161,949
2008 $4,325 1 $4,325
2006 $119,583 2 $59,792
2004 $56,250 1 $56,250
2002 $135,169 1 $135,169
Total $928,911 10 $92,891