Candidates battle Indiana ballot challenges

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Election Commission will weigh the fate of a slew of candidates running in the 2012 elections.

The four-member panel plans to meet Friday morning to consider challenges filed by voters against candidates ranging from President Barack Obama to a handful of potential state lawmakers.

Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum appeared to dodge a bullet Thursday after the Marion County Board of Voter Registration determined he had collected enough signatures to appear on the May ballot.

The panel will also hear a series of challenges to U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. Tea partiers opposing the veteran senator say he has not properly maintained a residence in Indiana.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Wallace will also be fighting for ballot access.