Democrat official in Michigan charged with ballot tampering, misconduct in 2020 election

A former Michigan county township clerk has been charged with ballot tampering and official misconduct in connection with an expected recount in her own August 2020 primary election.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges on Friday against ex-Flint Township Clerk Kathy Funk, a Democrat who will face trial in Genesee County District court.

Funk is accused of intentionally breaking a seal on a ballot container so the votes could not be counted in an anticipated recount. Funk was running for reelection, and narrowly prevailed in the unofficial count, Nessel said.

Funk also was serving at the time as an election official. A recount did not happen. Funk later resigned her township job and took a job as Genesee County election supervisor.

"Election officials must uphold the integrity of their positions," Nessel said. "Those who abuse that commitment undermine the very foundation of our democracy. Our department is committed to prosecuting election violations, regardless of the political party of the perpetrator."

Funk's attorney says she plans to plead innocent to the charges, each of which is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.

"She says it's absolutely not true," attorney Matthew Norwood told MLive.