Indiana's top elections official is denying he provided false information about where he lived on a voter registration form during a hearing that could determine whether he keeps his office. Secretary of State Charlie White is appearing before the Indiana Recount Commission today to answer allegations that he committed voter fraud by listing his ex-wife's address when he voted in the May 2010 Republican primary.Democratic attorney Karen Celestino-Horseman says it’s clear that White listed a new condo as his address on many documents but listed his ex-wife's on his voter registration form."We believe the evidence today is going to show that Mr. White changed his address like some people changed their shirts. It depended on the occasion," Horseman said in her opening statement. Democrats allege that White put down the address so he could continue serviing on the town council in the Fishers community in Hamilton County. White testified his ex-wife’s home was still his primary residence, but he was preparing to move into the condo once he remarried in June of 2010. A ruling against White would invalidate his election and force his removal from office. He also could face jail time if convicted in a separate criminal case. White faces seven felony counts including voter fraud and perjury.(Information for this story came from the Associated Press)
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.