INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- The Republican secretary of state in Indiana is ineligible to serve because he has been charged with voting fraud, a judge ruled Thursday.
Under the decision, Charlie White will be replaced by Vop Osili, the Democrat who ran against him in November 2010, The Indianapolis Star reported. Marion County Judge Louis Rosenberg overruled the Indiana Recount Commission, which said White could remain in office until the charges against him are resolved.
White, a resident of Fishers in suburban Indianapolis, allegedly voted from his ex-wife's address in the May 2010 primary. Democrats said it was because he did not want to give up his seat on the town council after buying a condo outside his district, while White has described his failure to change his registration as an oversight.
A judge in Hamilton County refused Monday to dismiss seven felony counts against White. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 30.
Republicans in a number of states including Indiana have adopted stricter voter identification laws aimed at preventing electoral fraud.
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