Anne Arundel County voters head to the polls next Tuesday in a usually sleepy down-ballot election that suddenly carries plenty of drama. Races for register of wills and the Orphans’ Court, the low-profile offices that decide what happens to estates and guardianships, are unfolding in the shadow of ethics probes and a recent judicial ouster. Candidates are leaning hard on themes of experience and outreach as they try to convince residents they can restore trust in how estates, guardianships and related taxes are handled. Whoever wins will control filings and oversight that touch thousands of county families.
Why the probate offices matter
The Register of Wills office is the front door for probate in Anne Arundel County. It opens estates, manages probate cases, audits accounts and accepts filings, while the Orphans’ Court supervises how estates are administered and oversees guardianships for minors. According to the Register of Wills for Anne Arundel County, that work also includes customer service for grieving families and the collection of estate-related fees and taxes, a mix of duties that is part paperwork, part counseling session.
How the scandals unfolded
The current shake-up started in 2024, when former Register of Wills Erica Griswold pleaded guilty to misconduct in office after prosecutors said she cashed an estate tax payment. In the wake of that plea, the Orphans’ Court declared the office vacant and tapped Jasmine Jackson to stabilize day-to-day operations. Maryland Matters reported that Jackson, a longtime auditor in the office, was sworn in with a mandate to restore basic trust in the system.
Judge removed by the state high court
The turmoil did not end there. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Maryland removed Anne Arundel Orphans’ Court Judge Marc Knapp after the state’s judicial discipline commission found repeated violations of judicial conduct rules. In a June order, the court described Knapp’s misconduct as serious and ordered him removed from the bench effective immediately, according to Maryland Courts.
Who’s on the ballot
On the Democratic side, appointed incumbent Register of Wills Jasmine Jackson faces challenger Courtney Buiniskis, an educator and labor leader who has organized informational sessions on probate issues and secured endorsements from County Executive Steuart Pittman and other local officials. The Maryland Daily Record notes that much of Jackson’s campaign cash has come from local attorneys and that both Democrats are centering their messages on experience and rebuilding public trust.
On the Republican side, Jason D. Lambert was designated by the county GOP as the party’s nominee and would face whichever Democrat emerges from the primary in November, if he advances. The official primary ballot lists Jackson and Buiniskis for Register of Wills and shows contested Orphans’ Court races on the same ticket. The full slate of candidates is posted by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Campaigns and core issues
Jackson is running on continuity and technical know-how after spending more than a decade in the Register of Wills office. Her campaign highlights plans to modernize operations and improve staff morale, arguing that steady internal leadership is the safest route after a rocky few years. Buiniskis, by contrast, has focused on community outreach and probate education sessions during the campaign, framing her bid as an effort to broaden public understanding of wills, estates and what happens when families do not plan. She has laid out those outreach ideas in local voter guides and campaign literature. Jasmine M. Jackson and Eye On Annapolis carry detailed candidate statements and priorities for the office.
Legal fallout and what to watch
Griswold’s guilty plea in 2024 triggered a constitutional vacancy in the Register of Wills office, which the Orphans’ Court filled by appointing Jackson, a move county officials described at the time as necessary to stabilize basic services. Maryland Matters reported on the plea and the court’s swift action. Separately, residents and local leaders are watching to see whether the Knapp discipline case leads to any broader policy or legislative responses. The Commission on Judicial Disabilities had urged expedited removal, and the state’s high court followed that recommendation. For coverage of the commission’s earlier findings, see The Daily Record.
Where to vote and what comes next
The primary is next Tuesday, with early voting already underway at county locations and continuing through the days just before Election Day. For polling places, hours, and sample ballots, voters can consult the county elections site and the official state ballot listing. Anne Arundel County Elections and the Maryland State Board of Elections provide complete voting details and the full ballot.
