Indiana Democrats Slam Secretary Of State's Rhetoric

The Indiana Democratic Party Thursday accused Secretary of State Connie Lawson of incompetence, partisanship and inflammatory rhetoric surrounding recent voter fraud allegations.

About a month ago, the Indiana State Police began investigating a group called the Indiana Voter Registration Project for possible voter fraud.

That progressive advocacy group then accused state Republicans of inhibiting liberal get-out-the-vote efforts. The police investigation is now in 56 counties.

This week, Secretary of State Connie Lawson gave the State Police registration records of voters whose information had been changed. That may or may not be related to the initial investigation. But she called it possible voter fraud.

The state Democratic Party has now responded. Party official Peter Hanscom stresses that their problem isn’t with any investigation, it’s with Lawson’s use of the word fraud.

“It’s the fact of this inflammatory rhetoric which now is matched up with a major party’s presidential nominee who’s claiming that there’s a rigged election,” Hanscom says.

Voter fraud is more than incorrect information. It requires deliberate intent to defraud. 

In a statement, Secretary Lawson says she is not playing politics. She asserts she provided the records to the State Police in an effort to ensure the integrity of the election.