Auto dealers - and their organization - have given Secretary of State Connie Lawson about $250,000 in campaign contributions since she took office.

The program's directors say the new certificate program is tailored exclusively for Indiana election needs. It will take in a new group of students every six months.

Indiana was among the states and territories to receive money from the $380 million approved by Congress amid ongoing threats from Russia and others.

The campaign uses television, radio, and print ads to urge people to register to vote by the Oct. 9 deadline.

Attorney General Curtis Hill's motion to withdraw a settlement agreement to create early voting centers was met with criticism from Secretary of State Connie Lawson, who called Hill's filing "reckless."

Democratic Secretary of State candidate Jim Harper says Republican incumbent Connie Lawson hasn't done enough to protect votes at the ballot box this fall.

Lawson was appointed Secretary of State in March of 2012 to fill out the term of Charlie White, who was ousted after a voter fraud conviction.

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is advising Hoosiers disregard the letters.

The Secretary of State's office says voters who text "Indiana" to 2VOTE, or 28683, will receive a link to the Indianavoters.com website.

Lawson, a Republican, replaces Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill, a Democrat.