Indiana secretary of state skips eligibility hearing

INDIANAPOLIS — A court hearing on whether Republican Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White is eligible to hold office has started without him.

A deputy attorney general representing the state Recount Commission told a Marion County judge that she recently told White she didn’t know whether he needed to be present for Wednesday’s hearing.

State Democrats are appealing a June decision in White’s favor by the Recount Commission. Democrats argue that White illegally registered to vote in the 2010 primary with his ex-wife’s address in Fishers when he also had a condo with his then-fiancee.

White also faces criminal charges including voter fraud in Hamilton County.