Editor, Times-Union: I am really unhappy with our Indiana Election Commission. Todd Young, candidate for U.S. Senate in Indiana, was represented by his attorney in the hearing on Feb. 19. Young’s attorney failed to substantiate that Young's campaign turned in a minimum of 500 verified signatures in the 1st Congressional District. Young's attorney made the pitch to the Election Commission to “not disenfranchise the voters of Indiana by not allowing Young’s name on the ballot.” It was Young and his staff that would have disenfranchised the voters had not the Election Commission allowed Young’s name on the ballot, setting a dangerous precedent that will cause chaos in future election cycles. Fifteen other candidates qualified this year with their minimum 500 verified signatures in each of the nine Congressional Districts. Young’s campaign staff failed to be diligent. They could have, but they didn’t. My wife and I have worked to gather signatures on a few ballot petitions and those candidates always made certain they had a large overage of signatures and they counted and photocopied the signature sheets. Young’s staff did neither. Young and no one else was responsible for signing the affidavit in the Secretary of State’s office that reported he was turning in the mandated minimum of 500 verified signatures for each congressional district. He did not turn in 500 verified signatures. Max Zimmerman Columbia City, via email
