Armstead Jones Passes Away Hours After Announcing Retirement

Armstead Jones, the longtime director of the Baltimore City Board of Elections, died at the age of 71 just hours after publicly announcing his retirement.

Del. Melissa Wells, a Democrat representing Baltimore City, shared the news with the House of Delegates on Saturday.

“On a somber note, I want to share that last night Armstead Jones passed away,” Wells said during the floor session. “He served nearly 18 years as the director of the Baltimore City Board of Elections. We’re deeply grateful for his years of service and are keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott honored Jones’ legacy in a statement, calling him a pillar of the city’s democratic process.

“Armstead Jones, Sr. was an institution in Baltimore,” Scott said. “With 30 years at the Board of Elections—18 of them as director—he ensured fair and free elections year after year. In a time when election workers across the country have faced increasing pressure, Mr. Jones remained calm, composed, and committed to upholding the right to vote. The Board of Elections is stronger today because of his leadership, and his impact will be felt for generations.”

Scott’s chief of staff and longtime campaign strategist Marvin James echoed that sentiment, saying, “He had a sincere love for his work and embodied the spirit of Baltimore.”

Jones began his career in 1995 as a member of the election board. He became president in 2003 and eventually took on the role of director. Over the years, he navigated numerous changes to the electoral process, including a major shift to vote-by-mail during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baltimore was at the forefront of that transition, piloting mail-in voting during a special election for the 7th Congressional District in April 2020—a model later adopted statewide.

“Armstead has been a fixture at the Baltimore City Board of Elections,” said Michael Summers, chair of the Maryland State Board of Elections, in a statement following Jones’ retirement announcement.

Jones had been on medical leave when he announced his retirement on Friday. He was set to officially step down on May 1. Health issues had forced him to take leave several times in recent years, including during preparations for the 2024 primary and the 2022 gubernatorial election, when he was hospitalized.

Jones’ dedication to public service and election integrity leaves a lasting legacy in Baltimore politics.