Baltimore city, Maryland

Baltimore City State's Attorney

One candidate is tracked for Baltimore City State's Attorney on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ivan J. Bates. Candidate information follows official Baltimore City election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Ivan J. Bates (Democratic) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Baltimore City State's Attorney, per the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026).

What this office does

District attorney or prosecutor. The district attorney is the chief prosecutor for the county or judicial district. The office decides which criminal charges to file, negotiates pleas, tries cases and, in many states, advises county government or handles child support and juvenile matters. The office sets local charging and diversion policies within state law.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Ivan J. Bates, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Maryland › Baltimore City › Baltimore City State's Attorney

Ivan J. Bates

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Reinstated prosecution of low-level, quality-of-life offenses
Advocated for legislation increasing sentences for illegal handgun possession
Has focused enforcement on repeat violent offenders

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Bates has served as Baltimore City State's Attorney since January 2023, per Maryland Manual. He worked as an Assistant State's Attorney in Baltimore City from 1996 to 2002 focusing on homicide cases, then became a partner at Bates & Garcia P.C. from 2006 until taking office, per Maryland Manual.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotBaltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Baltimore City State's Attorney in 2026?

When is the Baltimore City State's Attorney 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.

The rest of your Baltimore city ballot

17 tracked races in Baltimore city, Maryland. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Baltimore City Register of Wills Baltimore City Judge of the Orphans' Court Baltimore City Sheriff See all 17 Baltimore city races

Candidate profiles

Ivan J. Bates, full profile Official Maryland election office