Maryland panel OKs nomination of elections board member

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A Maryland Senate panel voted Monday night to endorse a Republican candidate for state elections, replacing a former board member who resigned this year when accused of participating in the January 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol.

The vote by the Senate Executive Nominations Committee sends Diane Butler’s nomination to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.

Earlier this month, the board questioned Butler during a hearing about where she was on Jan. 6, 2021. She said she was at home.

Committee members said they would be more cautious in confirmation procedures for state election officials. They have asked similar questions of Democrats nominated for posts overseeing the election process. They also asked Butler about her beliefs in the integrity of the state’s election system.

Butler is a former member of the Howard County Board of Elections.

Three of the five members of the Maryland State Board of Elections are Democrats, as the current governor is a Democrat. The Republican Party of Maryland chooses the other two members to submit to the governor, and the governor forwards Butler’s nomination to the Senate Judiciary Committee.