A dispute over campaign finance complaints in Indiana's secretary of state race will not get a pre-election hearing from the Indiana Election Commission.
Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard had asked Governor Mike Braun to call a meeting of the commission before Election Day so it could consider complaints involving two of his opponents, Republican Max Engling and Democrat Beau Bayh.
Braun declined on Tuesday, saying the legal conditions for calling a special meeting had not been met. In a letter released by his office, Braun said he was satisfied the commission has managed election law competently and efficiently. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20, after the election.
Ballard's appeal to the governor came the same day a judge rejected his motion in a lawsuit seeking a court order for a commission meeting. Ballard has argued that leaving the complaints unresolved while early voting is underway undermines equal enforcement of campaign finance rules, while saying he is asking only that the commission meet and consider the matters, not that it find anyone in violation. The complaints are allegations and no findings have been made.
