The Lead Off The Indiana Recount Commission has appointed a new director to oversee reviews in two closely contested state Senate primary races. Evan Norris was approved in a 3-0 vote to manage the recount process after the previous director resigned. The recounts involve margins of three votes in one race and 15 votes in another. INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) The Indiana Recount Commission has appointed attorney Evan Norris as recount director to oversee ballot reviews in two narrowly decided Indiana state Senate primary races. The commission approved Norris in a unanimous 3-0 vote on Tuesday, following the resignation of the previously appointed director less than a week after taking the role according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle. New recount leadership appointed Evan Norris, a Republican attorney and Zionsville Town Council member, will now lead the recount process for the contested races. Norris is in his first term on the Zionsville Town Council after being elected in 2023. He works at the Carmel-based law firm Drewry Simmons Vornehm, where his practice includes construction litigation and contract-related legal work. Secretary of State Diego Morales, who serves as chairman of the Recount Commission under state law, said the appointment is intended to ensure the process moves forward efficiently. “It is highly important that the recount director be employed and engaged to assist our county election administrators, State Board of Accounts, state police and candidates to promptly proceed with the recount process,” Morales said during the meeting. Ballots and election materials secured Officials said voting equipment and election materials related to the contested races have been impounded by Indiana State Police as part of standard recount procedures. The State Board of Accounts is responsible for conducting the ballot reviews, with oversight from state election officials and other agencies involved in the process. Senate District 23 recount request One of the contested races involves Senate District 23, where certified results show Republican candidate Paula Copenhaver trailing incumbent Sen. Spencer Deery by three votes. Final certified totals in the Republican primary showed Deery ahead 6,337 to 6,334. Copenhaver’s recount petition alleges potential irregularities involving voters who reportedly stated on social media or to reporters that they participated in the Republican primary despite identifying as Democrats or “progressives.” The petition seeks to question some voters under oath regarding their eligibility and compliance with Indiana’s primary voting rules. Senate District 15 recount request A second recount request involves Senate District 15, where Republican Sen. Liz Brown leads challenger Darren Vogt by 15 votes. Certified results show Brown ahead 5,241 to 5,226 in the Allen County-based district. Vogt has also requested a recount due to the narrow margin. Timeline for review process State Board of Accounts officials say recount review procedures may take until late July to complete, depending on the scope of ballot examination and administrative review. Auditors will review ballots and related materials as part of the formal recount process, with additional oversight from state agencies. Next steps The recount process is expected to continue through the summer as officials review ballots, verify election materials, and address any legal challenges that may arise from the contested results in both Senate districts. The Takeaway The Indiana Recount Commission has appointed a new director to oversee the review process after a prior resignation delayed early administrative steps in two close Senate primary contests. The recounts involve extremely narrow margins in Senate District 23 and Senate District 15, with certified results separated by three votes and 15 votes respectively. State officials say the ballot review process, conducted by the State Board of Accounts with support from election and law enforcement agencies, could extend into late July. The post Recount Process Moves Forward in Tight Indiana Senate District 15 and 23 Races appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less