Board won't review McIntosh residency

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson said Thursday that state officials will not investigate whether former U.S. Rep. David McIntosh voted illegally, but she encouraged legislators to do their own investigation next year.

McIntosh lost a close battle for Congress in the May primary amid questions over whether he improperly voted in Indiana while living in Virginia. The Indiana Election Division failed to reach an agreement Thursday on whether to investigate that matter further.

U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar faced similar questions in his primary loss to state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. And a residency complaint ultimately led to former Secretary of State Charlie White's conviction on felony charges earlier this year.

"This type of complaint and similar recent high-profile complaints indicate that Indiana law concerning residency for voter registration, voting, and running as a candidate for public office, could benefit from legislative review," Lawson said in a statement.

McIntosh lost a close primary race earlier this month to former federal prosecutor Susan Brooks.

Fraud examiner Greg Wright filed the complaint against McIntosh with Lawson's office during this year's Republican primary battle. Wright also investigated accusations that Lugar was illegally registered to vote in Indiana because he has not owned a home in the state since 1977.

In his complaint against McIntosh, Wright pointed to a requirement that anyone holding a Virginia driver's license declare their residency in that state. McIntosh has worked as a lobbyist in Washington and lived in Virginia since leaving Congress in 2001, although he has still voted in Indiana elections.