Indiana Secretary of State Candidates Discuss Audits, Election Security

Indiana Secretary of State Candidates Discuss Audits, Election

Indiana Secretary of State Candidates Discuss Audits, Election Security

INDIANAPOLIS — The four candidates for Indiana secretary of state discussed the current secretary’s record and election security during Wednesday night’s debate.

Democratic candidate Beau Bayh said he would begin his term with an independent audit of Secretary of State Diego Morales’ office.

Morales has faced questions about spending, including no-bid contracts, employee raises, travel and other expenses.

Bayh said he wants to determine how the office handled taxpayer money and address any problems investigators find.

Libertarian candidate Lauri Shillings also supports an audit. She said the state should review the office’s budget and determine where money was spent and whether the expenses were approved.

Republican candidate Max Engling said he would work with the state inspector general if the office investigates Morales’ tenure. He questioned whether an audit requested by a candidate could be considered independent.

Independent and Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard said he would bring in law enforcement to investigate the office if elected. Ballard said he has spoken with former employees and believes investigators should take a closer look.

Bayh said he would work with law enforcement if an audit found evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing.

The candidates also disagreed over election security.

Engling supports the federal SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. He argued Indiana should do more to verify voter eligibility.

Shillings said Indiana already has safeguards in place. Ballard also disagreed with Engling, while Bayh said the state’s elections are secure and officials should address individual cases when problems occur.

All four candidates said election integrity should remain a priority.

The secretary of state oversees elections, business services, securities regulation and the state archives and serves as Indiana’s chief election officer.