Jan. 7—ANDERSON — A special prosecutor has determined that Rob Jozwiak was improperly denied the opportunity to watch ballots being counted during the May primary.
Jozwiak filed a complaint with the Madison County Election Board last June after Russ Willis, president of the Election Board, denied him access to watch the counting of ballots at the Madison County Government Center.
The Election Board referred the complaint to the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office. Then, Madison Circuit Court Division 6 Judge Mark Dudley appointed Angela Weber, a deputy prosecutor in Johnson County. Indiana State Police investigated the allegations.
Weber said she didn’t know whether Willis was denied access because of ignorance of the law and applicable Election Board policy or because Jozwiak didn’t have credentials.
“Either reason is troubling and unacceptable,” she said. “The chairman of the Election Board should know the laws and policies concerning the Election Board.
“The Chairman of the Election Board should also take reasonable steps to help a member of the public get the required credentials, especially when they are readily available, instead of curtly and dismissively denying a request to view vote canvassing.”
“Based on the evidence produced in the investigation, it’s indisputable that Mr. Willis denied Mr. Jozwiak access to watch the canvassing of votes,” Weber wrote in her findings.
During meetings of the Election Board, it was determined that Jozwiak should have been permitted to view the canvassing of votes and amendments were made to the policy to allow citizens to observe the counting of ballots.
“The Election Board responded appropriately in this situation,” Weber said. “It made itself accountable to the public through transparency and candor in addressing Mr. Willis’s error on May 7, 2024, and it acted swiftly to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
The special prosecutor’s ruling brings the case to its conclusion. Willis faces no penalties or further actions.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.