The Ballot Brief
Baltimore city, Maryland

Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court

3 candidates are tracked for Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charles "Chuck" Bernstein, Lewyn Scott Garrett and Michele E. Loewenthal. Candidate information follows official Baltimore City election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Charles "Chuck" Bernstein (Democratic), Lewyn Scott Garrett (Democratic), Michele E. Loewenthal (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court, per the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026).

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Charles "Chuck" Bernstein, Lewyn Scott Garrett, Michele E. Loewenthal.

Maryland › Baltimore City › Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court

Charles "Chuck" Bernstein

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

Bernstein's current term as a Baltimore City Orphans' Court judge ends December 31, 2026; he was last re-elected in the November 2022 general election, per Maryland Manual. He earned his undergraduate degree from Western Maryland College in 1961 and his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1967, per Maryland Manual. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Charles "Chuck" Bernstein.

Lewyn Scott Garrett

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

Garrett has served as Chief Judge of the Baltimore City Orphans' Court since April 2014, per Maryland Manual. He earned a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1978, per Maryland Manual. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Lewyn Scott Garrett.

Michele E. Loewenthal

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

Loewenthal has served as a judge of the Baltimore City Orphans' Court since July 2011, with her current term ending December 31, 2026, per Maryland Manual. She previously won re-election to the Orphans' Court in the November 2022 general election, per Maryland Manual. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Michele E. Loewenthal.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charles "Chuck" Bernstein, Lewyn Scott Garrett and Michele E. Loewenthal. Candidate information follows official Baltimore City election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court election in Maryland?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Maryland are on the Maryland election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Baltimore city ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Baltimore city and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Maryland election office, or see the full Baltimore City sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

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Also on your ballot
Baltimore City Board of Education At LargeJudge of the Circuit Court, Judicial Circuit 8Maryland Senate District 40See all 17 Baltimore city races
Candidate profiles
Charles "Chuck" Bernstein, full profileLewyn Scott Garrett, full profileMichele E. Loewenthal, full profileOfficial Maryland election office