Elections official dies — and governor may be unable to appoint a Democratic replacement: report

Malcolm L. Funn, one of two Democratic members of the State Board of Elections, died unexpectedly Tuesday of complications from hernia surgery. Funn’s death also throws the partisan makeup of the board into greater imbalance: State and local elections boards by law have three members from the governor’s political party and two from other parties, so with Funn’s death the state board currently has three Republicans and just one Democrat. Brandon Stoneburg, a spokesman for the Maryland Democratic Party, said there is no “pre-made list” of candidates, but that whenever the state receives official word that Hogan can replace Funn, the party’s executive committee would meet to discuss possible candidates and forward a name to the governor. “I think it’s important to have strong bipartisan representation so Marylanders have faith in the process and the results of the general election.” The state elections board has scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday afternoon to, among other things, discuss adjusting calendar dates for certain official steps in the election process to accommodate the fact that a court ordered the state to hold its primary in July, three weeks later than originally scheduled. Hogan, in a statement provided to Maryland Matters, said Funn “was a deeply dedicated member of his community, and an example for all of us to emulate.” Former state Sen. Patrick “P.J.” Hogan — no relation to the governor — who served with Funn on the elections board, said he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of his death.