“In order to file for the Republican or Democratic primaries in Indiana, set for May 4, 2010, a candidate needs to deliver a petition containing at least 4,500 signatures including at least 500 signatures form each of the state’s nine congressional districts. According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s candidate handbook, those petitions can be delivered no later than tomorrow at noon local time.
“It appears unlikely that any minor Democratic candidate is likely to have acquired the necessary signatures by tomorrow’s deadline, leaving the Democratic primary ballot vacant for U.S. Senate.
One Democratic official said the state party will lean on a provision in state law that allows party leaders to select a candidate on their own in the case of a vacancy on a major-party line. Possible candidates include Democratic Reps. Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth.”
I’m not sure if this clears up anything, but here it is for what it’s worth, from ABC News.
“One Democratic official said the state party will lean on a provision in state law that allows party leaders to select a candidate on their own in the case of a vacancy on a major-party line.”
Won’t work.
The Party can only appoint to fill vacancies occuring AFTER the Primary, and the Repub Sec of State, Todd Rokita, is a sickler for following CAMPAIGN LAWS AS WRITTEN.
You won’t see any New Jersey, Massachusetts-style shenanigans here.