White Accuses GOP Of Intimidation

Democratic Secretary of State candidate Beth White says Republicans are trying to intimidate and disenfranchise Hoosiers on the state’s inactive voter list.

During Indiana’s recent voter list cleanup effort, hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers were labeled as “inactive” – meaning they didn’t respond to the state’s outreach effort.  People on the inactive list have until 2017 to either update their information or vote in an election to remove themselves from that list.  But Beth White says Republicans are using the list to target voters.  She points to 6th district GOP chair Mark Wynn, who requested copies of absentee ballots sent in by voters on the inactive list.

“A number of voters who actually did vote by mail said they’re now being informed that their votes are being challenged and they don’t understand why," White says.  "Why are their votes being challenged?  The only reason that the Republicans are giving is because they’re on the inactive voter list.  That is not a legitimate reason to challenge a vote.”

Indiana Republican Party Chair Tim Berry says asking for absentee ballot applications is routine – something the Democratic Party has done as well.  He says White’s accusations call into question her intentions of upholding voter integrity if she were elected.