Mayor Brandon Scott said Wednesday that the city would file to join the state’s attorney general in appealing the nullification of a Baltimore ballot question needed for the redevelopment of Harborplace.

The city’s law department will file a motion to intervene, which will allow representatives to make a case on behalf of Baltimore residents alongside the team litigating the appeal on behalf of the state.

“This is us seeking to join that effort in partnership — not because we don’t think they can get it done, but rather because it’s going to be critical to have the city’s voice heard directly at this juncture of the case,” Scott, a Democrat, said Wednesday.

Tuesday afternoon, the State Board of Elections unanimously voted to appeal Anne Arundel County Judge Cathleen Vitale’s Monday ruling that Question F, which would provide voters the opportunity to amend the city’s charter to allow for residential development and off-street parking along the Inner Harbor, is an inappropriate use of a charter amendment.

Charter amendments must adjust the form and function of city government.

Scott said Wednesday that he thought Vitale’s decision was “off-base” because language was added to the city charter in the 1970s to clear the way for the pavilions there now. Another related amendment was added in 2016.

“The only way to change that is to change the charter, right?” Scott said. “Harborplace sat there deteriorating for 20 years. No one tried to do anything. No one said they wanted to redevelop it. No one said that we should do anything. And then the moment a Black man from West Baltimore decides to intervene and jump on top of it and actually build it … all of a sudden there’s a group of people who oppose that.”

If Vitale’s ruling is overturned, Question F’s passage would allow developer MCB Real Estate to move forward with its ambitious plan to replace the shopping and dining pavilions at the Inner Harbor. Baltimore native P. David Bramble is leading the initiative, which would build four taller, mixed-use buildings, including a conjoined tower stretching 32 stories. It would include 900 apartments, on-site offices, a park, a two-tier promenade and realigned roadways.

In her ruling, Vitale also said the language of the city ballot question is indiscernible to the average Baltimore resident.

“I think that’s very disrespectful to the residents of Baltimore City,” Scott said. “If it’s in the charter now, then the only way to change it is to change the charter, and the voters of Baltimore should be making that decision.”

The Baltimore City Council voted nearly unanimously to place Question F on the city ballot in March.

The appeal will be heard before Maryland’s Supreme Court. If Vitale’s ruling is upheld, the Baltimore City Council would have to wait two years before it could try to place the question on the ballot again.

The Maryland State Board of Elections has already begun printing ballots, which include Question F in Baltimore. Mail-in ballots are due to be sent to voters by Monday. Maryland Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis said they will start to be sent out Friday.

Mail-in ballots can be requested through the State Board of Elections website.