Apples to Oranges

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Hi friends! I’m Marie, and alongside my husband Charles, we co-founded the Orange Ballot in response to the growing influence of teacher union-backed candidates in our schools.

Our journey began when our daughter, a student in Frederick County Public Schools, brought home a math assessment that used gender-neutral pronouns. That moment prompted us to take a closer look at what was happening in our schools and sparked our deeper involvement in school board advocacy. From there grew a passion for pursuing real, meaningful change.

Charles, originally from South Africa, serves as Treasurer for both the PAC and the Slate. I’m a native of Emmitsburg, Maryland, and currently serve as Chair. We’ve lived in Point of Rocks since 2010, have been married for 18 years, and are proud Republicans committed to supporting strong conservative voices in education. I work as a freelance graphic designer and substitute teacher, which gives me a unique window into what’s really happening in classrooms today.

After volunteering as a poll worker in November 2024 and supporting then–write-in candidate Heather Fletcher for the Board of Education, the inspiration struck: if the left has a Red Apple Ballot, we need an Orange one. And so the Orange Ballot was born. Apples to Oranges!

We’re starting here in Frederick County, with hopes of growing across Maryland. You can download our flyer, which includes a comparison chart on the front and a mockup of our ballot design on the back.

We’d truly appreciate your feedback, support, and advice as we build this grassroots effort to elect strong, conservative candidates to Boards of Education. Let’s make our voices heard!

— Marie & Charles