Election - The Indiana Lawyer

Despite state’s ‘negligence or malice,’ court denies ballot-access injunction

September 9, 2019 | Olivia Covington

An Indianapolis resident who wanted to add his name to the November mayoral ballot cannot do so now that a federal judge has upheld a finding by the Marion County Election Board that the would-be candidate failed to acquire enough legitimate voter signatures. However, the court also raised concerns about language on a candidate form that could make it “more difficult for voters to support independent candidates,” yet found the language was not enough of a burden to overrule the board’s decision.

Candidate’s suit challenges caucus to pick Johnson County prosecutor

August 29, 2019 | IL Staff

The selection of a new Johnson County prosecutor will continue as scheduled Thursday night, even though one of the candidates filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the Republican Party caucus to select a successor to Bradley Cooper, who was removed from office.

7th Circuit: Indiana voter purge provision violates federal law

August 28, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

In a ruling that reminded Indiana of the need to protect the integrity of the voting process, the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the state from kicking individuals off the voter rolls based solely on a match in the Crosscheck database.

7th Circuit blocks Indiana voter purge law

August 27, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

A federal appeals court has confirmed that Indiana’s attempt to cleanse its voter rolls by using the controversial Crosscheck database violates the National Voter Registration Act. The ruling upholds a lower court ruling in a suit brought by a national public-interest group.

Key motivator for Democrat Tallian’s AG bid: ‘Curtis Hill has to go’

August 21, 2019 | Dave Stafford

Vowing an aggressive campaign in a race that in the past has often been overshadowed by upticket contests, Democratic Indiana Sen. Karen Tallian explained what motivated her to announce her candidacy for attorney general. “My answer is Curtis Hill has to go, and somebody needs to do it, and it needs to be attorneys.”

Plaintiffs challenge Mich. redistricting panel’s independence

August 21, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

The release of emails in the gerrymandering lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters spurred Michigan residents to strip their legislators of redistricting duties and turn the mapmaking over to an independent commission. However, a new federal lawsuit is challenging the new body, asserting the exclusion of certain individuals violates the First and 14th amendments.

Long partisan gerrymandering fight ends, but struggle continues

August 21, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

For a team of Indiana lawyers who successfully litigated a case contesting partisan gerrymandering in Michigan, a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision was a disappointment that likely will vacate the judgment in their favor. Legal observers say the issue now will be fought in statehouses across the country.

Johnson County GOP delays selection of new prosecutor

August 16, 2019

The selection of a new Johnson County prosecutor has been delayed two weeks after county Republicans were told Thursday night that none of the candidates had filed all of the necessary forms.

Trump, Republican party sue over California tax return law

August 6, 2019 | Associated Press

The Trump campaign and Republican Party sued California on Tuesday over a new law requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns to run in the state’s primary, legislation that was aimed at prying loose President Donald Trump’s returns.

Trump says Coats is out as national intelligence director

July 29, 2019 | Associated Press

Dan Coats, director of national intelligence, is resigning after a turbulent two years in which he and President Donald Trump were often at odds over Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump named a GOP congressman and fierce loyalist to replace him.

Outgoing Rep. Brooks joins Dems condemning Trump’s racist tweets

July 17, 2019

In a remarkable political repudiation, the Democratic-led U.S. House voted to condemn President Donald Trump’s “racist comments” against four congresswomen of color, despite protestations by Trump’s Republican congressional allies and his own insistence he hasn’t “a racist bone in my body.” Retiring Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks was among four Republicans joining the condemnation of Trump’s statements.

Trump asks Supreme Court to unfreeze border wall money

July 15, 2019

The Trump administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to lift a freeze on Pentagon money it wants to use to build sections of a border wall with Mexico.

Holcomb launches 2020 re-election run with big advantages

July 15, 2019

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb brandished his front-runner status Saturday as he kicked off his re-election campaign with a rally extolling the state’s economy while brushing off any criticism of his record.

Democrats acknowledge questioning Mueller ‘will not be easy’

July 11, 2019

Some are watching old video of his previous testimony. Others are closely re-reading his 448-page report. And almost all are worrying about how they’ll make the most of the short time they’ll have for questioning. Robert Mueller, the Democrats know, will be tough to crack.

Hill announces $220K fundraising haul, but not re-election bid

July 10, 2019

Whether Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is officially running for re-election next year has yet to be announced, but the embattled AG claimed his political action committee scored a record fundraising haul in the past two months.

AG candidate calls for ‘principled, conservative’ leadership

July 9, 2019

John Westercamp, an attorney with Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, is the first announced candidate for next year’s Republican nomination to become the Indiana Attorney General as the political prospects for embattled AG Curtis Hill remain unclear.

Trump insists he’s not dropping census citizenship question effort

July 3, 2019

President Donald Trump is insisting that he is not dropping efforts to include a citizenship question on the upcoming 2020 census, even as the U.S. Census Bureau has started the process of printing the questionnaire without the controversial query.

Indianapolis attorney Bennett ends tenure as Election Commission chair

July 1, 2019

Indianapolis attorney Bryce Bennett, a founding partner with Riley Bennett & Egloff, has resigned as chair of the Indiana Election Commission effective Monday, according to a statement from the firm. Bennett has served two four-year terms under his appointments from Govs. Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb.

AG candidate calls for ‘principled, conservative’ leadership

June 27, 2019

The first candidate to announce for the Republican nomination for Indiana attorney general in the 2020 race is touting his private sector experience and is calling for “principled, conservative leadership” in the Office of the Attorney General.

5-4 Supreme Court won’t block districts drawn for partisan gain

June 27, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled federal courts have no role to play in policing political districts drawn for partisan gain. The decision could embolden political line-drawing for partisan gain when state lawmakers undertake the next round of redistricting after the 2020 census.

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