Case closed although form found tampered with in Vigo Co. Clerk's Office

Smith Mischler/ Lucy Perry file photo

                                                          ICN file photo

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A lingering legal issue from the city's spring primary has been cleared up from an investigative standpoint, as Terre Haute voters think about the upcoming election in November.

An Indiana State Police investigation into a form that was learned to have been tampered with in the Vigo County Clerk's Office wrapped up today, after a special prosecutor said no criminal charges will be filed in the election case of Democrat Tess Brooks-Stevens, a District 3 candidate in the primary. 

Brooks-Stephens ultimately lost the nomination to Democrat opponent Cheryl Loundermilk in the May primary.

Special prosecutor from Sullivan County, Ann Smith-Mishler, stated today that evidence was insufficient to warrant proceeding with filing criminal charges in the matter.

In April, Brooks - Stephens took the matter to court ---to clear up confusion over why her name was not placed on the ballot in alphabetical order. She said she did not alter election forms, but somehow her name was moved  to the position following Loudermilk on the ballot. 
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In fact, someone reportedly used whiteout to alter the form, which is in violation of state election law. Vigo County Clerk Brad Newman reportedly acknowledged that correction fluid was used on the form, but denies knowing who did it. It should be noted that Newman is also an officer with the Terre Haute Police Department.

The judge ordered the names be placed in the correct order in accordance to state law, with ISP following up on the case.

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