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Disagreeing with that standard, counsel for Parents emphasized that “the election law, which I believe was changed in 2016[,]” states in relevant part that the court must find “by clear and convincing evidence that the individual can not communicate with or without accommodations a desire to participate in the voting process.” The court, noting it “read the statute[,]” explained: But my issue is, he has expressed a desire when you asked him. But when I asked him the very basic questions, he’s not able to respond. *** And so the concern that the Court has is he’s just being responsive, but he’s not being assertive, in any form, on the issue. (Emphasis added). Counsel for Parents again disagreed that William should be required to articulate an understanding of the political process, taking the position . . . that’s an additional requirement, additional burden, that’s not within the statute. That was considered at the time this was drafted by the legislature. The issue is, what is his desire and can he express it. He’s done so and met the threshold requirement of the statute. And otherwise, he is not a person who committed a crime, he is entitled to vote. And I don’t think the Court’s in a position to infringe and add additional things. [S]o many folks in the average public don’t know who the vice president is. So he has identified both . . . current candidates, who the current [president] is, (inaudible) knows who lives in the White House, can identify the past presidents. I think that, frankly, represents about the base level knowledge of the average American citizen with respect to politics. (Inaudible) many folks who do have the right and were never questioned don’t know anything about politics, but they still have the desire to vote. The question is not his knowledge base therefore, or whether his parents talked to him, or whether they’re lifelong democrats, or lifelong republicans. None of that is to question as to infringing upon his right to vote. It simply is can he express his desire to vote. And he’s done so. 14

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In the Matter of William Pughsley

Judgment

Question Presented: Whether the circuit court erred in disqualifying William Pughsley from voting by applying an improper "base level understanding" standard—rather than the statutory standard of whether the individual can communicate, with or without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process—and whether the court erred in denying accommodations and the Supported Decision-Making Act petition.

Alleged Acts: William Pughsley is an adult with a mental disability who is under guardianship. His parents, Samuel and Juanita Pughsley, serve as his court-appointed guardians. The Parents sought to modify the guardianship order to allow them to assist William in voting and to be formally named as "supported decisionmakers" under Maryland's Supported Decision-Making Act (SDMA), codified at Md. Code, § 18-101 et seq. of the Estates and Trusts Article. The Parents sought to enable William to exercise his right to vote with their assistance through a supported decision-making agreement. The Circuit Court for Prince George's County held a hearing at which William testified. During the hearing, the court expressly prohibited the Parents from offering any assistance to William, including help that might have prevented errors—such as when William raised the wrong hand to take the oath, prompting correction by the judge. The circuit court disqualified William from voting, reasoning that he did not demonstrate a "base level understanding of the political process, of why he's voting for a particular person." The court also denied the Parents' SDMA petition on the same basis.

Procedural history: Petition filed in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, which was denied. William appealed to the Appellate Court of Maryland.

Summary: In the Matter of William Pughsley is a landmark Maryland appellate decision that reshaped how courts evaluate voting capacity for individuals under guardianship for mental disability. William Pughsley, an adult with a mental disability, was disqualified from voting by a trial court judge who ruled he lacked a "base level understanding" of the political process. The Appellate Court of Maryland reversed, holding that Maryland law requires only that a person be able to communicate a desire to participate in the voting process—not demonstrate an understanding of how the political system works. The court further held that the trial court erred in denying accommodations to assist William in communicating that desire, including prohibiting his parents from offering even basic assistance during his testimony. The decision vacated the disqualification order and the denial of the Supported Decision-Making Act petition, remanding for further proceedings.

Conclusion: The Appellate Court of Maryland vacated the circuit court's order and remanded for further proceedings. The circuit court erred by "engrafting an additional, impermissible test" requiring William to demonstrate a "base level understanding of the political process." The statutory standard is clear: disqualification requires a finding by clear and convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate, with or without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process. The statute asks only whether the person can communicate a desire to participate—not whether the person understands how the political system works. The circuit court's "base level understanding" test was not the correct legal standard. The circuit court compounded its error by improperly denying William any "accommodations" to assist him in communicating his desire to participate in the voting process. The statute explicitly requires courts to consider whether the individual can communicate with or without accommodations. By prohibiting the Parents from offering any assistance during the hearing—even basic help like guiding William when he raised the wrong hand to take the oath—the court failed to account for the accommodations the statute mandates.

Legal Issue(s)

Accessibility
Voters' Rights

Applicable Law(s): Maryland Supported Decision-Making Act and Election Law § 3-102(b)(2)

Region: Americas

Country: United States of America

Language of Decision

English

Court: Appellate Court

Election Type: General

Geolocation

Latitude: 38.8163414001465

Longitude: -76.7514495849609

: Geolocation

Link: https://www.courts.state.md.us/data/opinions/cosa/2025/1489s23.pdf

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In the Matter of William Pughsley.pdf
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In the Matter of William Pughsley

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