A judge could decide today how long Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White can keep his job. Marion Circuit Judge Louis Rosenberg ruled last month that White is ineligible to hold office. White appealed and asked Rosenberg to delay his removal until a higher court hears the appeal.
Rosenberg agreed to halt proceedings until today, when he will hear arguments over whether White’s removal should be postponed until the appeal process is finished. If Rosenberg rules against White, Vop Osili, the Democrat who ran against White, will take over as secretary of state.
White’s attorney, Jonathan P. Sturgill, said that removing White from office before the appeal has been heard would be premature. If White is removed and a higher court overturns Rosenberg’s decision, office staff would transition twice and taxpayers would foot the bill for stationery and signage changes.
Sturgill also said he doesn’t think Rosenberg’s ruling is justified. “There are substantial rights at risk right now,” Sturgill said.
But Democrats, who initiated the election challenge, say White should be removed so the office can move on. “I think that this process has gone on long enough,” Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker said
Full Article: White’s tenure may hinge on today’s ruling | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com.