Indiana Democrats Seek Recount in Senate District 10 Race

Indiana Democratic officials are preparing to seek a recount in the Senate District 10 race, where Republican state Senate leader Chris Garten holds a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Nick Marshall. Preliminary results show Garten leading by 487 votes, with 51.3% of the vote compared to Marshall's 48.7%.

The dispute centers on a reported ballot scanner malfunction at Jeffersonville High School in Clark County. Democrats claim a jammed machine may have resulted in several hours of uncounted votes. Garten has dismissed these claims as "political theater," asserting that the records reviewed do not support the allegations.

The Clark County Election Board voted 2-1 against a planned count of physical ballots for four precincts. Clerk Ryan Lynch voted against the measure, citing uncertainty over whether state law permits such a count. Garten attributed a 59-vote discrepancy between physical ballots and electronic poll books to a technical issue.

State Democratic Chair Karen Tallian stated that the party must continue to push for transparency to ensure every legal vote is counted. Candidates have until November 16 to file formal recount petitions with the State Recount Commission.