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Tippecanoe County Clerk disputes allegations about absentee‑ballot handling
Summary
Tippecanoe County Clerk issued a detailed statement to the board denying claims that ballots were unsecured or that the clerk personally opened or counted ballots, describing bipartisan chain‑of‑custody procedures, sheriff supervision, locked storage and continuous video surveillance.
Tippecanoe County’s Clerk addressed recent media reports and legal filings that alleged mishandling of absentee ballots. The clerk said those reports contained "serious inaccuracies" and delivered a point‑by‑point rebuttal to the board, stressing that she did not open or count ballots and that the county follows bipartisan procedures required by Indiana law.
"I did not personally open or count any ballots," the clerk said, adding that absentee ballots received by 6 p.m. on Election Day are transported by bipartisan co‑coordinators accompanied by a sheriff's deputy, verified against voter signatures, and secured in a locked cage under continuous video surveillance. The clerk said the county’s procedures have been in place since the absentee receipt deadline changed to 6 p.m. and that no absentee ballot was delivered to the courthouse unattended.
The clerk called the allegations "deeply disappointing" and urged public confidence in the bipartisan poll workers, election staff and the safeguards in place. She said her office will continue to administer elections with transparency and accountability and that a press release summarizing these points is available to the media.
