Former Indiana Republican Congressional Candidate Charged with Theft of Election Ballots During Voting Machine Test
Larry Savage, a former Republican congressional candidate and precinct committeeman in Indiana’s 5th District, is facing felony charges of ballot tampering and misdemeanor theft after allegedly stealing ballots during a recent test of voting machines.
On October 3, election officials in Madison County conducted a public test to verify the accuracy of the voting machines ahead of the upcoming general elections. Savage participated in the test, which included 132 marked test ballots to simulate actual voting conditions across four machines. When the final tally revealed two missing ballots, election officials launched an investigation.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured Savage folding two ballots and slipping them into his pocket, despite being informed that the ballots were part of a valid test. The missing ballots were later located in Savage’s car following a search authorized by a warrant.
This incident has raised concerns among local election officials, given Savage’s previous role in the political process as a candidate and his ongoing position as a precinct official. Savage, who lost the Republican primary earlier this year, turned himself in to authorities at the Madison County Jail after a warrant was issued. He has since been released on a $500 cash bond, though the legal process now looms as he faces charges of both ballot tampering and theft.