The investigation of a group registering people to vote has expanded to include some registrations in Johnson County.
The registrations, which were turned into Marion County by a group called the Indiana Voter Registration Project and then forwarded to Johnson County, had some information that seemed incorrect or incomplete, such as an unrecognizable signature, Clerk Susie Misiniec said.
County employees tried to reach the voters listed on the forms but were unable to, she said.
The county will get forms with incorrect or incomplete information at times, but this was too many at once, she said. Misiniec did not know exactly how many forms the county had but said it was only a few.
Those forms have since been turned over to Indiana State Police, which is investigating whether the group was filing fraudulent voter application information, according to a news release from state police.
The investigation began in late August in Marion and Hendricks counties but has since been expanded to include Allen, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Johnson, Lake and Madison counties, the release said.
Investigators added more counties after receiving information that more voter registrations could be included, possibly hundreds, the release said. Possible fraudulent or false information includes a combination of made up names and made up addresses, real names with made up or incorrect addresses and false dates of births with real names as well as combinations of all these examples, the release said.
According to the secretary of state’s office, the Indiana Voter Registration Project turned in forged voter registration applications, altering already registered voters’ information to change the voter’s address to a different address without the voter’s knowledge, a news release said.
State officials were concerned the group could continue turning in the false registrations through the deadline and asked voters to be cautious, the news release said.
If those voters show up to vote, their information will not be on file because the registrations are listed as incomplete by the state, Misiniec said.
That is why voters are encouraged to double check their registration information before the deadline to register Tuesday.
Police searched the Indiana Voter Registration Project business offices in Indianapolis, and they expect the investigation to continue for weeks or months, the release said.
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The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday. Here is how to register or update your registration information in time for the general election this fall:
In person
Visit any Bureau of Motor Vehicles location, library branch or the Johnson County Voter Registration office in the basement of the courthouse, 5 E. Jefferson St., Franklin. Forms must be turned in by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
By mail
Mail your completed form by Tuesday to:
Johnson County Voter Registration
P.O. Box 451
Franklin, IN 46131
Online
Go to indianavoters.com to register online or make sure your registration is up to date. Your registration must be updated or turned in by midnight Tuesday.
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