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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Ind. Gov't. - Indiana Recount Commission opinion [Updated]

The Indiana Recount Commission has now posted online today's "Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Final Order" in the Charlie White Election contest.

The vote was 3-0 in favor of Mr. White. The document is 32-pages long, with Commissioner Pylitt's concurring opinion beginning on p. 22.

[Updated 6/29/11] Here is the final version of Carrie Richie's story on yesterday's decision, as it appears in today's Indianapolis Star.

And here is a strong Star editorial today that concludes:

In a self-serving My View published in Tuesday's Star, White insisted his travails were not of his own making but that of his partisan opponents. Democrats certainly have tried to exploit the mess White has created, but his explanation fails to take into account why so many prominent Republicans have asked him to give up the office.

It also fails to place the blame for this embarrassment where it belongs: with Charlie White.

In a hearing before the Recount Commission last week, White's defense essentially centered on the argument that his personal life was such a mess that he couldn't be expected to define such details as a clear place of residence during the time when he sought the state's third highest elected office.

The Recount Commission bought that contention, ruling that White's intent was to live at his ex-wife's house (where he was registered to vote) even if he stayed there only part time. The question of White's residency is important in part because he served as a member of the Fishers Town Council until last September, when it was revealed that he had moved out of the district he represented. White said at the time that he didn't realize his new residence was outside of his old district.

A chief elections officer who can't be bothered with the details of election law? It sounds absurd, but that's the best defense White can offer for his actions.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on June 28, 2011 10:09 PM
Posted to Indiana Government