State police investigating possible voter fraud

The Indiana State Police are investigating possible statewide voter fraud after the Secretary of State’s office discovered thousands of Hoosiers’ voter registration information had been changed.

Through a statement from her office, Republican Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced Tuesday that her office ran a report in the Statewide Voter Registration System and found that thousands of voters’ first names and dates of birth had been changed in the system.

“These records were changed on paper forms, at the BMV and online,” Lawson said in the statement. “At this time, my office is not sure why these records were changed, but we have evaluated the Statewide Voter Registration System and have found no indication that it has been compromised.”

Lawson said the situation is likely the result of attempted voter fraud and has been turned over to ISP for investigation.

The issue came to light after several voters contacted the Secretary of State’s office with concerns that they would not be able to vote in the Nov. 8 general election because their first names and dates of birth had been changed on their voter registrations.

When voters attempted to confirm their registration online, they were prompted to enter their name, date of birth and county of residence. If any of this information was incorrect, the system could not find the registration. Each of the individuals who encountered this problem voted in the May primary election, Lawson’s office said.

The Secretary of State encouraged Hoosiers who cannot find their voter registrations to contact their county election officials. Because the voter registration deadline has already passed, county election officials are the only people who may be able to help voters correct their information.

Lawson’s office said voters whose personal information is incorrect will still be able to vote on Nov. 8 and encouraged Hoosiers who cannot access their voter registration to try entering different dates of birth into the system. If that method works, then voters will be able to change their information in the system. The corrections will not take place until 30 days after the election, but voters will still be able to participate in the Nov. 8 election.

Finally, Lawson encouraged all voters to cast their ballots early so that they do not encounter any problems on Election Day. Additional questions can be answered by calling the Hoosier Voter Hotline at 1-866-IN-1-VOTE.