13 WTHR IndianapolisCourt denies bid to replace Indiana secretary of state

Court denies bid to replace Indiana secretary of state

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Charlie White Charlie White
INDIANAPOLIS -

The Indiana Supreme Court has turned down a request by Democrats to have convicted Republican Secretary of State Charlie White replaced by their 2010 candidate for that office.

The state's highest court issued an order Tuesday taking charge of the legal battle over whether Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels should be allowed to appoint a replacement for White or whether Democratic candidate Vop Osili should take over the office.

A Hamilton County jury over the weekend convicted White of six felony charges, including lying about his address on voter registration forms. Democrats maintain that White was an ineligible candidate for the 2010 election and that Osili was the eligible candidate who received the most votes.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case Feb. 29.

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