In a dramatic twist straight out of a political thriller, Larry L. Savage Jr., a former Republican congressional candidate, was arrested in Indiana under allegations of tampering with test ballots.
Although the ballots were used purely for testing voting machines, Savage’s reaction went far beyond a test, as he took to social media to allege a conspiracy, implying Indiana’s vote-counting system was compromised.
Police say the former Fifth District candidate brazenly stashed two test ballots into his sweatshirt pocket while at the Madison County Government Center. Only hours later, he reportedly made provocative posts on Facebook, declaring, “3 ballots short!!! lol” and “Dontvtake [sic] anything.” These posts sent shockwaves through the county and quickly caught law enforcement’s attention.
“This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding,” a Madison County official commented. “We’re talking about potential ballot tampering from someone who was on the ballot himself.”
Savage, who had unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination earlier this year, was charged with theft and tampering with ballots. Released on a $500 cash bond, Savage has not issued an official response but shared his frustrations with arresting officers, reportedly calling the situation “all political, bulls***.”
Savage’s campaign has been filled with enthusiasm for Donald Trump, and his Congressional Facebook page proudly displays photos of him with Trump signs and hats. On his campaign’s official page, he describes himself as a “25-year husband and father of three,” but recent events are clouding that image.
The alleged incident took place on October 3 during a public testing session of Madison County’s voting machines. Officials invited local residents to observe the process and submit test ballots featuring real candidate names to simulate the upcoming election. After the tests, officials discovered two ballots missing—a Republican and a write-in. The review of live-streamed security footage showed Savage pocketing these ballots and, later, using Facebook to suggest voting irregularities had already started.
In the footage, Savage can allegedly be heard telling an election official, “These are absolutely, totally real ballots.” Moments later, he tucks them into his sweatshirt, then complains about a “f***ed up count” to a woman next to him, who was live-streaming the event.
As he left the Government Center, Savage allegedly flashed the ballots to a bystander before heading home. Later, he joined the live stream again, where a viewer’s comment about “cheating” prompted him to add his now-infamous posts: “3 ballots short!!! lol” and “Dontvtake [sic] anything.”
When police arrived at his home with a search warrant, Savage reportedly tried to explain that he had permission to take the ballots. “You talking about the ballot the lady told me I could take,” he said, according to the police report. Savage then led officers to his Honda Civic, where they found the ballots.
Indiana State Police stated that the investigation is ongoing, but Savage’s arrest has already ignited intense discussions across social media, especially among local Republicans. Some supporters claim the incident is a setup, while others express dismay, feeling Savage’s actions detract from the party’s credibility.
As questions linger over Savage’s motivations, this sensational episode underscores the intensity and pressures of today’s political arena—even in test ballot counts.
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