Stuart v. Board Of Supervisors Of Elections

295 A.2d 223 (1972)

Facts

Stuart (P) was married to Austell and wanted to register to vote in Maryland. P disclosed to the registrar of voters that she was married but used her maiden name consistently and nonfraudulently. P was informed by the Board of Supervisors of Elections (D) that because she was a woman and married under Maryland law, her legal surname became her husband's upon marriage. P was told to complete a change of name form, or her registration would be canceled. P's registration was canceled. P sued D. The court ruled that P was entitled to use her name but that she had to file the name change form in order to be registered under her maiden name. P appealed.