[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6549739,"mediaKeyId","5429420-ed9d029ab205929b1f8bde29f685c587","parentId",5429420,"title","Election board closes 13 campaign-related complaints after staff review; flags campaign-finance website error","audioSeconds",924,"startMs",447379,"endMs",1371985,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429420-ed9d029ab205929b1f8bde29f685c587&start=447&end=1371","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429420-ed9d029ab205929b1f8bde29f685c587/thumbnail_447379.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6549739/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Election-board-closes-13-campaign-related-complaints-after-staff-review-flags-campaign-finance-website-error","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549739-4e50bec44685bfe968af350539fd9681/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069946&Signature=CoGUgBrqsYB5RWp8x0GLkQep3MZf1JtPTXhBlznc6qoMwMolGYWoNSGe3bC3s1VuyYz1zniztpXWa6cGjR0zgjK0MUP7xz0SLx~bTi8QnWqx~TLNmw4rTFl4qUikpbt2ACIRznPR~PWMhO15dAL6Vg9KpOArB3AXUKj~U4wIZYPGTwINN0Hool22cXMpCLxAXoka9061aItTvZwze50GuoHTd~8ct6XK5WCs6lkyTtMYeXx73rJFMtCKptdDydsa5zN10NYU5WMKbPnx9QvQBXT2h7JFcrxGQEplvkM3idge4zBYrR1Mi2xL-NGPqexoRd5TkaW44Pjnz1t6Dl~h6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Indianapolis, IN","date","2025-07-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Marion County Election Board voted unanimously on July 18 to close 13 complaints (filed as 2020Five-1 through 2020Five-13) after staff reviewed each matter and found either corrective actions had been taken or the concerns were caused by a technical error in the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's public campaign-finance lookup tool.

Director of Elections Patrick Becker told the board the review covered complaints received through June 30 and that staff formalized a reporting process this year because of the volume of complaints and the irregular meeting schedule during election season. During the review staff discovered that when a committee filed multiple amended reports on the same day the upload process caused the website to show repeated scans of the same document rather than distinct filings. \"When we uploaded all of those on the same day with the same date on them, it took the most recent scan that was done that day and basically duplicated on all of those,\" Becker said.

Becker said staff notified the ISA applications team that built the tool and that there is no timetable yet for a fix. He said the office retains the original scanned filings and will provide copies to anyone who believes the online display is incorrect. He asked that members of the public report suspected errors to elections.ind.gov so staff can provide the correct reports and log the issue with IT.

Legal context and board deliberation

Outside counsel Brad Boswell reviewed the legal standard the board must apply when a Title 3 complaint is alleged: if the board has \"substantial reason to believe that a Title 3 violation has occurred,\" it must investigate. Boswell told the members they could vote on the set of complaints en masse and that dismissal language should reflect that an investigation was not warranted rather than implying the complaints were ignored.

After discussion about the nature of the complaints and the technical cause identified by staff, Kate Bell moved to close complaints 2020Five-1 through 2020Five-13 based on staff information and to direct staff to notify each filer of the board\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's decision and any findings. The motion was seconded and passed on a recorded voice vote. Vice Chair Jennifer Ping, Clerk Kate Bell and Chair Nolita Stewart each voted \"aye.\" The board instructed staff to prepare follow-up communications to complainants describing the board\u0000\u0000\u0000's decision and any corrective actions taken.

Why it matters

The board\u0000\u0000\u0000's action closes the current set of matters while creating a record that staff investigated and, in many cases, found technical or corrective explanations. Board members emphasized their county-limited investigatory authority; counsel reminded the body that its jurisdiction is confined to county-relevant issues.

Next steps

Staff will draft and send notifications to the individuals who filed each complaint describing the board\u0000\u0000\u0000's decision and any information discovered during the review. The elections office will continue to work with the ISA applications team to correct the public campaign-finance lookup tool; no timetable for that fix was provided.

Ending

The board closed the complaints and scheduled follow-up communications; no further action was taken on the items at the July 18 meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council of Indianapolis, IN - Marion County Election Board - Jul 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Marion County Election Board voted unanimously on July 18 to close 13 complaints (2020Five-1 through 2020Five-13) after staff review found either corrective action or a technical error in the county\u0000\u0000\u0000's campaign-finance lookup tool.","taxTitle","Indianapolis City, Marion County, Indiana","taxId",3627,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6549744,"Election board authorizes clerk to handle most litigation decisions under limited delegation",384,38675,423530,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5429420-ed9d029ab205929b1f8bde29f685c587&start=38&end=423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5429420-ed9d029ab205929b1f8bde29f685c587/thumbnail_38675.jpg","/articles/6549744/Indianapolis-City/Marion-County/Indiana/Election-board-authorizes-clerk-to-handle-most-litigation-decisions-under-limited-delegation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549744-c39fed4a31302db9b1c70799c9a86274/orig.mp4?Expires=1771069946&Signature=TNGOBmfkmDXNC49~nr29Tgs8CwzchL6LN7wfPxVSCrFmlUo9add4lB8mDK6~HBUNsBFVpFrh11ndmOBwHUprpYTPnonYtcDw37APKvFiEs-ljbwlOmp6vYDhhehv72iM9s1ZnEJUnWDdL7BTRQTHmkDLFucBimtHgPYfoDs3s6~igrGAHF7fZz-wvfWZdD5SI6LWWY8PXVqm9NgM35jYK0LSNk8DwP2eMIDlK~MOUmrlw2olgLy~c5diSP1oet7G0UfC7LZ8eAWWik6cf2VfbYg8sA3wTtxpg8XmQH4aRgry13Pw8OjrXkLg77CYWc9~VBHWWav2wMjGH35akoiy7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marion County Election Board voted unanimously on July 18 to adopt Resolution 01-25, which authorizes the county circuit court clerk to make and implement most litigation decisions in consultation with election legal counsel while reserving the board\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's exclusive authority to initiate litigation.

The resolution, introduced by the board at its July 18 meeting, is intended to let staff act more efficiently on administrative litigation matters that arise between full-board meetings. Outside counsel Brad Boswell summarized the background, saying the delegation responds to prior situations in which staff took litigation steps without explicit board sign-off and a public-access complaint raised whether such decisions require full-board final action. Boswell said the measure uses provisions of statute discussed during the meeting to allow a public-body delegation that preserves transparency under the Open Door Law.

Why it matters: Elections-related litigation can require timely administrative responses (for example, discovery requests or deadlines). The board's vote aims to ensure those routine decisions can be handled without convening the full board while keeping major decisions \u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000for the board.

Details of the resolution and limits

Counsel said the resolution relies on two statutory provisions cited during the meeting (the transcript reference was given as \"3 6 5 19\" and a section described as \"section 14.5\"). Under the delegation the clerk may, in consultation with counsel, make decisions and take actions on litigation matters that the election board \"is or may be involved in.\" However, counsel emphasized the board expressly withholds the authority to initiate litigation; if the board wants to file suit, that must be decided by the full board.

The board also discussed the duration of the delegation. Counsel and members said the authorization extends only for the current clerk's term and remains in effect for 60 days after that clerk leaves office; a future clerk would need to seek a new resolution to continue the arrangement. The board also retained the option to amend or rescind the resolution at any time.

Board action

Kate Bell (Marion County circuit court clerk/board secretary) moved to approve Resolution 01-25; the motion received a second and passed on a recorded voice vote. Vice Chair Jennifer Ping, Clerk Kate Bell and Chair Nolita Stewart all voted \"aye.\" The board recorded the motion as approved and directed execution of the resolution.

What board members said

Outside counsel Brad Boswell described the practical purpose of the change: to allow the clerk and key staff to handle time-sensitive litigation matters in consultation with legal counsel while preserving board-level oversight for the decision to file suit. \"This resolution authorizes the clerk to make, in consultation with legal counsel, decisions related to matters of litigation that the election board is or may be involved in,\" Boswell said. Chair Nolita Stewart also confirmed the clerk would sign the resolution once the vote was recorded.

Next steps and limits

Board members asked how the change would affect future clerks. Counsel and the clerk agreed the delegation ends 60 days after the current clerk leaves office, and that a future clerk would need to present a new resolution if the same authority were desired. Members also noted the board can at any time change the mechanics of the delegation.

Ending

The board approved the resolution as presented; the clerk indicated she would sign the document for the record. The item concluded without further public comment.

","The Marion County Election Board on July 18 unanimously adopted Resolution 01-25, delegating certain litigation decision authority to the circuit court clerk for a limited period while retaining the board\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","actionData","errors"]

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Election board closes 13 campaign-related complaints after staff review; flags campaign-finance website error

Election board authorizes clerk to handle most litigation decisions under limited delegation