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Republicans talk challenge to Young's signatures

Posted at 4:09 PM, Feb 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-11 17:52:06-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Top Republican leaders at the Statehouse say they are stunned at questions over paperwork that could get a member of their party kicked off the ballot. 

Democrats are challenging Rep. Todd Young's candidacy in the U.S. Senate race. They say he did not get the number of signatures needed to appear on the ballot. 

If true, Senate President David Long says it is one of the "most colossal mistakes" he's ever seen. 

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Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody filed the paperwork to challenge Young's candidacy Wednesday. He argues Young is three signatures short of the 500 required to appear on the ballot. 

An independent count by the Secretary of State's office puts the number at 501.

Both Long and House Speaker Brian Bosma say they will wait to hear what the Election Commission determines. 

Long says it could be worth revisiting the state's ballot access laws. 

"It shows you have support throughout the state as a statewide candidate. That's the theory behind it. I'm not sure it serves its purpose anymore, but we'll talk about that. Certainly looking at this outcome and it's stunning potential, it makes you wonder if we should reconsider how we make people eligible for the ballot," Long said. 

"I don't think it's too high a hurdle, but you need to be sure you beat the hurdle. I was a little surprised there were only 501 signatures originally. That's cutting it way too close for most candidates I'd say," Bosma said. 

Young's campaign continues to dismiss the challenge as a "political stunt." The campaign released a list of endorsements Thursday, including from the mayors of Fishers and Greenwood. 

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