A former Republican candidate for Congress in Indiana, Larry Savage, has been charged with stealing election ballots during a voting machine test. Savage, who previously lost in the Republican primary in the 5th Congressional District in Indiana, now faces one felony count of destroying or misplacing a ballot and one misdemeanor count of theft, as reported by Indiana State Police.
The incident took place on October 3, when officials were conducting a public test of the ballot card voting system in Madison County, central Indiana. During the test, which involved four voting machines and 132 test ballots, it was discovered that two ballots were missing after an initial tabulation. Surveillance video revealed Savage, who is a precinct committeeman, folding the two ballots and placing them in his pocket after being informed that they were valid test ballots.
Following the discovery, a search warrant was issued for Savage’s home, where the missing ballots were found in his car. Subsequently, Savage turned himself in at the Madison County Jail on Tuesday after an arrest warrant was issued. He has since been released on $500 cash bond, according to records from the Madison County Jail.
In light of these charges, the integrity of the election process and the trust in the electoral system have been called into question. Instances of ballot theft or tampering undermine the democratic principles on which the voting system is built, and it is essential to hold accountable those who engage in such illegal activities.
It is crucial for law enforcement agencies and election officials to remain vigilant in ensuring the security and fairness of elections. Measures must be put in place to prevent and detect any attempts to compromise the integrity of the voting process, as the foundation of democracy relies on the transparency and legitimacy of elections.
Larry Savage’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the democratic rights of citizens. Any form of election fraud or misconduct must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to preserve the sanctity of the electoral process and uphold the will of the voters.
