TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Citing records showing that Josie Swalls-Thompson had possessions registered in Indiana and that she lived with her husband in Vigo County, Special Judge Robert Pell ruled Thursday that she was indeed eligible to serve as Vigo County Treasurer.
Swalls-Thompson had won the Nov. 3 election with 51.6% of the vote, but her challenger, current treasurer Nancy Allsup, filed a court petition arguing she did not meet residency requirements. Allsup argued that Swalls-Thompson was a resident of Florida, not Vigo County.
Swalls-Thompson provided the court with Indiana auto titles and license plates for her cars and demonstrated that she had a safe deposit box in Terre Haute and that her dog’s veterinary records were in Indiana.
The case was one of two that challenged Vigo County election results. In the other, James Bramble was on Nov. 25 named the winner of the Vigo County Auditor’s position when Rebecca Coleman, who had received more votes, agreed that past felony convictions made her ineligible to hold office.
Allsup’s case against Swalls-Thompson was filed in Vigo County civil court Nov. 12. After Judge Sarah Mullican recused herself, citing a conflict of interest, Judge Lakshmi “Lucky” Reddy appointed Pell.
