Indiana: Indiana Senate OKs plan to alter election law and allow Governor to appoint Secretary of State replacement | The Indianapolis Star

Despite howls from Democrats that Republicans were changing the rules because they fear the outcome, the Senate on Monday approved a provision that would let the governor appoint a new secretary of state if Charlie White is found ineligible to have been elected. The provision would overturn current law that says the second-highest vote-getter — in this case, Democrat Vop Osili — would be declared the winner.

The amendment, offered by Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis, would minimize the fallout for Republicans if White is found ineligible. Not only would it let the Republican governor choose White’s replacement, but Republicans would keep political perks based on the number of votes a party’s candidate for secretary of state wins, especially getting their candidates on ballots without going through the petition process.

Indiana: Prosecution of Indiana elections chief could be tough | Miami Herald

Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White’s excuse that a busy schedule and new marriage caused him to give the wrong address at a polling place could be a feasible defense to voter fraud and other criminal allegations he now faces, a legal expert said Friday.

“It may not be a defense to the claim that as secretary of state he should be held to a very high standard, but in terms of a criminal conviction, I think that kind of mistake sounds plausible,” said Craig Bradley, an Indiana University law professor.