INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 21, 2016) - The State Election Commission has decided that Todd Young will stay on the ballot for now in the Senate race.
There were two challenges to Young's campaign, alleging he did not have enough signatures to appear on the ballot for U.S. Senate.
Both his Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Howe, and the Indiana State Democratic Party, filed challenges to Young's campaign, after it was found Young had an insufficient number of signatures on petitions in the northeastern part of the state.
500 signatures are required in each of the state's nine Congressional districts in order to run for U.S. Senate.
It was found, by state democrats that Young had only 498 in the first Congressional District. The Stutzman campaign found that Young had 497 in the same district. An independent IndyStar count of the signatures found 497 as well.
Young's attorneys argued that there were four signatures that were lost, or not validated due to clerical errors, bringing the actual total to 501 and that Hoosier voters should not be "disenfranchised," according to Young’s attorney and not be able to vote for the Congressman because of "clerical errors."
Ultimately the Commission voted Friday in a tie. Two members voted for removing Young from the ballot and two voted to remove him. In the case of a tie on the State Election Commission, nothing changes and the candidate remains on the ballot.
The State Election Commission is comprised of two democrats and two republicans, all appointed by the Governor.
Right now: State Election Commission will decide if @ToddYoungIN can run for US Senate w/o having enough signatures pic.twitter.com/Kzh0u4YIk0
— James Gherardi (@JamesGherardi) February 19, 2016
"The law says you must have 500 certified signatures... And they do not have them" says commission member
— James Gherardi (@JamesGherardi) February 19, 2016
Vote on removing Young from ballot is a TIE 2-2 ... In this case @ToddYoungIN will STAY on the ballot
— James Gherardi (@JamesGherardi) February 19, 2016
