At A Glance:
What: The Hendricks County Elections Board met and voted to forward allegations of two election law violations to the Hendricks County Prosecutor for additional review.
Summary: Hendricks County’s bipartisan Elections Board unanimously referred two complaints against Republican candidate Sid Mahant to the county prosecutor for further review. The allegations involve his brief presence inside a polling place during voting hours and a campaign offer to pay for food at an event, both of which may violate state election laws. No charges have been filed, and the prosecutor will determine whether the evidence warrants criminal prosecution.
Danville
Hendricks County election officials have forwarded two complaints involving Republican statehouse candidate Sid Mahant to the county prosecutor.
The County’s Elections Board, composed of members from both major parties, voted unanimously to send both matters for further review following a public hearing. The prosecutor’s office will now determine whether the allegations warrant criminal charges, though such referrals do not automatically result in prosecution.
At the center of the complaints are two separate incidents. One involves Mahant’s presence inside a polling location while voting was underway. Testimony indicated that he briefly entered the site, spoke with poll workers, and was later directed to leave. Mahant told the board he did not realize he was violating any rules and said his purpose was simply to express appreciation to election staff.
State law limits who may be within a designated 50 foot buffer zone around polling places during voting hours, generally restricting access to voters and authorized personnel.
The second complaint stems from a campaign-related invitation in which Mahant offered to cover the cost of food for attendees at Nautical Bowls. Indiana statutes prohibit candidates from providing items of value in ways that could be interpreted as influencing voter participation.
After hearing from both complainants, Mahant, and legal counsel, board members agreed that each complaint met the threshold for additional legal scrutiny.
The situation unfolds as Mahant seeks to unseat longtime incumbent Rep. Greg Steuerwald in the Republican primary for House District 40.
Mahant has positioned himself as a self-funded outsider candidate, while Steuerwald brings nearly two decades of legislative experience to the contest.
REMINDER: A referral by the elections board does not automatically lead to charges. The prosecutor will evaluate the case to decide whether the evidence justifies filing criminal charges. At this time, no decision has been made.
Content courtesy of:
Hendricks County Republican Party Press Release
Hendricks County Elections Board
Sid Mahant for State Representative Campaign Website
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