A member of the Maryland Board of Elections resigned Thursday amid multiple charges in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach.Carlos Ayala, 52, of Salisbury, faces a felony civil disorder charge and multiple misdemeanors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Washington, D.C. He was a sitting member of the Maryland State Board of Elections at the time of his arrest Tuesday. Ayala was identified among a group of rioters who illegally gathered on restricted Capitol grounds, according to federal charging documents obtained by 11 News. Click here to view the court documentsAccording to the charging documents, evidence in this case includes two witness accounts; cellphone video from his travel companion on that day; video from social media, CCTV and a body-worn camera; his phone number in Maryland firearms registry records; and the outfit he put on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021.The FBI said Ayala entered the Capitol wearing a “distinctive” flag-themed hooded sweatshirt that he bought on Amazon five days before Christmas with a “Stop the Steal” button pinned to the front.The court documents state Ayala is seen on video carrying a PVC flagpole with a distinctive black-and-white flag.This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Baltimore and Washington field offices with assistance from the U.S. Capitol and Metropolitan police departments.How was Ayala appointed to the Board of Elections?The Maryland Republican Party recommended Ayala, and he was one of two new members appointed by Gov. Wes Moore and approved by the state Senate. His term began on July 1, 2023. Board members are appointed to staggered, four-year terms.”I think his decision to resign was the smart one and it was prudent,” Moore said Thursday. “I think the allegations that we’ve seen are beyond disturbing.”When the governor’s office receives appointment recommendations, anything that is publicly accessible is part of the vetting process — including social media posts and political donations, according to people familiar with the process.Maryland Republican Party Chairwoman Nicole Beus Harris sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “The MDGOP believes in the 1st Amendment and in the American principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. That said, Mr. Ayala did choose to resign because he believes that the 2024 elections process and the State Board of Elections is extremely important and should not be muddied with distraction.”Maryland State Board of Elections Chairman Michael Summers sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “As chair of the Maryland State Board of Elections, I have accepted the immediate resignation of Carlos Ayala.”The board is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of our elections in Maryland in a non-partisan manner. The state board will remain steadfast in our mission to oversee our elections process and serve as a trusted source of information for all Marylanders during this presidential election year.”Election officials stress process is secureState elections officials told 11 News that the bipartisan board, with four members remaining, will continue its work to ensure the election is run smoothly.State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis has no control over the Board of Elections, its membership process or the members themselves.”There is no wavering from that commitment and our mission,” DeMarinis told 11 News.DeMarinis does oversee elections statewide and wants Marylanders to know the process is secure.”They should feel confident that their votes will be counted, and that it will be tabulated correctly, and that the true winner of the election will be determined at the at the right course — at the primary and at the general election,” DeMarinis told 11 News.
A member of the Maryland Board of Elections resigned Thursday amid multiple charges in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach.
Carlos Ayala, 52, of Salisbury, faces a felony civil disorder charge and multiple misdemeanors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Washington, D.C. He was a sitting member of the Maryland State Board of Elections at the time of his arrest Tuesday.
Ayala was identified among a group of rioters who illegally gathered on restricted Capitol grounds, according to federal charging documents obtained by 11 News.
According to the charging documents, evidence in this case includes two witness accounts; cellphone video from his travel companion on that day; video from social media, CCTV and a body-worn camera; his phone number in Maryland firearms registry records; and the outfit he put on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021.
The FBI said Ayala entered the Capitol wearing a “distinctive” flag-themed hooded sweatshirt that he bought on Amazon five days before Christmas with a “Stop the Steal” button pinned to the front.
The court documents state Ayala is seen on video carrying a PVC flagpole with a distinctive black-and-white flag.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Baltimore and Washington field offices with assistance from the U.S. Capitol and Metropolitan police departments.
How was Ayala appointed to the Board of Elections?
The Maryland Republican Party recommended Ayala, and he was one of two new members appointed by Gov. Wes Moore and approved by the state Senate. His term began on July 1, 2023. Board members are appointed to staggered, four-year terms.
“I think his decision to resign was the smart one and it was prudent,” Moore said Thursday. “I think the allegations that we’ve seen are beyond disturbing.”
When the governor’s office receives appointment recommendations, anything that is publicly accessible is part of the vetting process — including social media posts and political donations, according to people familiar with the process.
Maryland Republican Party Chairwoman Nicole Beus Harris sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “The MDGOP believes in the 1st Amendment and in the American principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. That said, Mr. Ayala did choose to resign because he believes that the 2024 elections process and the State Board of Elections is extremely important and should not be muddied with distraction.”
Maryland State Board of Elections Chairman Michael Summers sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “As chair of the Maryland State Board of Elections, I have accepted the immediate resignation of Carlos Ayala.
“The board is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of our elections in Maryland in a non-partisan manner. The state board will remain steadfast in our mission to oversee our elections process and serve as a trusted source of information for all Marylanders during this presidential election year.”
Election officials stress process is secure
State elections officials told 11 News that the bipartisan board, with four members remaining, will continue its work to ensure the election is run smoothly.
State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis has no control over the Board of Elections, its membership process or the members themselves.
“There is no wavering from that commitment and our mission,” DeMarinis told 11 News.
DeMarinis does oversee elections statewide and wants Marylanders to know the process is secure.
“They should feel confident that their votes will be counted, and that it will be tabulated correctly, and that the true winner of the election will be determined at the at the right course — at the primary and at the general election,” DeMarinis told 11 News.
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