Voting - The Indiana Lawyer

Despite state’s ‘negligence or malice,’ court denies ballot-access injunction

September 9, 2019 | Olivia Covington

An Indianapolis resident who wanted to add his name to the November mayoral ballot cannot do so now that a federal judge has upheld a finding by the Marion County Election Board that the would-be candidate failed to acquire enough legitimate voter signatures. However, the court also raised concerns about language on a candidate form that could make it “more difficult for voters to support independent candidates,” yet found the language was not enough of a burden to overrule the board’s decision.

Candidate’s suit challenges caucus to pick Johnson County prosecutor

August 29, 2019 | IL Staff

The selection of a new Johnson County prosecutor will continue as scheduled Thursday night, even though one of the candidates filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the Republican Party caucus to select a successor to Bradley Cooper, who was removed from office.

7th Circuit: Indiana voter purge provision violates federal law

August 28, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

In a ruling that reminded Indiana of the need to protect the integrity of the voting process, the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the state from kicking individuals off the voter rolls based solely on a match in the Crosscheck database.

7th Circuit blocks Indiana voter purge law

August 27, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

A federal appeals court has confirmed that Indiana’s attempt to cleanse its voter rolls by using the controversial Crosscheck database violates the National Voter Registration Act. The ruling upholds a lower court ruling in a suit brought by a national public-interest group.

Key motivator for Democrat Tallian’s AG bid: ‘Curtis Hill has to go’

August 21, 2019 | Dave Stafford

Vowing an aggressive campaign in a race that in the past has often been overshadowed by upticket contests, Democratic Indiana Sen. Karen Tallian explained what motivated her to announce her candidacy for attorney general. “My answer is Curtis Hill has to go, and somebody needs to do it, and it needs to be attorneys.”

Plaintiffs challenge Mich. redistricting panel’s independence

August 21, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

The release of emails in the gerrymandering lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters spurred Michigan residents to strip their legislators of redistricting duties and turn the mapmaking over to an independent commission. However, a new federal lawsuit is challenging the new body, asserting the exclusion of certain individuals violates the First and 14th amendments.

What comes after Mueller? Investigations, lawsuits and more

July 25, 2019 | Associated Press

After months of anticipation, Congress finally heard testimony from former special counsel Robert Mueller. So what now? Congressional Democrats plan more investigations and court cases while Republicans say the investigation is over.

Indianapolis attorney Bennett ends tenure as Election Commission chair

July 1, 2019

Indianapolis attorney Bryce Bennett, a founding partner with Riley Bennett & Egloff, has resigned as chair of the Indiana Election Commission effective Monday, according to a statement from the firm. Bennett has served two four-year terms under his appointments from Govs. Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb.

AG candidate calls for ‘principled, conservative’ leadership

June 27, 2019

The first candidate to announce for the Republican nomination for Indiana attorney general in the 2020 race is touting his private sector experience and is calling for “principled, conservative leadership” in the Office of the Attorney General.

5-4 Supreme Court won’t block districts drawn for partisan gain

June 27, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled federal courts have no role to play in policing political districts drawn for partisan gain. The decision could embolden political line-drawing for partisan gain when state lawmakers undertake the next round of redistricting after the 2020 census.

Indiana official sued for records on US election hacking vulnerability

June 20, 2019

A voting security advocacy group is trying to force the former president of a group of state election officials to release documents on whether she wrongly asserted that electronic election systems are safe from hacking.

Judge blocks Fort Wayne ‘pay to play’ ordinance

June 12, 2019

An Allen County judge has enjoined Fort Wayne from enforcing an ordinance designed to curb “pay-to-play” arrangements that allegedly led to city contracts for businesses that contribute to local candidates’ campaigns.

AG Hill’s bid to block Marion County early voting plan fizzles

June 4, 2019

The heated dispute ignited by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s effort to block Marion County’s early voting plan ended with a whimper at the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals Monday after both sides acknowledged a change in the voting method nixed the need for a ruling from the federal appellate bench.

Suit: Indiana’s absentee voter verification system unconstitutional

May 16, 2019

Common Cause Indiana and a group of registered voters in St. Joseph County are challenging the process Indiana uses to validate absentee ballots, calling it constitutionally flawed and asking a federal court to prohibit the state from rejecting absentee ballots based solely on perceived signature mismatches.

High court questions judiciary’s role in partisan redistricting

March 27, 2019

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority sounded wary Tuesday of allowing federal judges to determine when electoral maps are too partisan, despite strong evidence that the political parties drew districts to guarantee congressional election outcomes.

Indiana Senate panel backs easier ballot access for parties

February 6, 2019

Smaller political parties would face lower requirements to get their candidates on Indiana's ballot under a bill backed by a legislative panel.

Counties could be required to have paper trail for voting by 2024

February 4, 2019

A bill that would require counties using electronic voting systems to also maintain a paper trail is moving forward at the Indiana General Assembly.

Multiple Indiana voting laws on trial in federal court

December 11, 2018

Indiana, like many states, has been amending and enacting new voting laws in the name of stamping out voter fraud. Lawyers and civic organizations are challenging laws and regulations that they believe are restricting the right to vote.

Glitches keep Porter County from counting votes

November 7, 2018

Officials northwestern Indiana’s Porter County, which hasn’t reported any general election votes, are sorting through a mix of problems to get ballots counted a day after the election.

Voters head to the polls to decide Senate, congressional races

November 6, 2018

Voters in Indiana and across the country head to the polls today to determine which party will control Congress and hold dozens of state and local elected offices — although thousands more voters than usual have already cast a ballot.

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