Tippecanoe County Democrats —

Indiana University professor Dawn Johnsen has withdrawn her name as the nominee to lead the White House Office of Legal Counsel, which provides legal advising to the White House. Johnsen's nomination had been held up for more than a year because Republicans were unhappy with Johnsen's strong anti-torture statements. Here is the Washington Post's story on her decision.

Early voting for the May 4 Indiana primary has begun already. The Journal and Courier lists some ways you can vote now:

• Voting machines will be available in the Elections and Registration Office on the third floor of the County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each weekday until the primary Election Day.
• Early voting centers, stationed around Greater Lafayette, will be available starting April 19. For a list of times, dates and locations, click here.
• Absentee ballots can be obtained by calling the Tippecanoe County Board of Elections and Registration Office at (765) 423-9303 or (765) 423-9316 and asking for an application.
• Or, same-day absentee voting is possible until noon on May 3 by visiting the office. Bring a photo ID.

To vote in the May 4 primary, you must be registered to vote by Monday, April 5! To register, adult Indiana residents must complete a form and return it by 4:30 p.m. Monday to the election office in the Tippecanoe County Courthouse. The form can be found online here. Forms that are postmarked Monday will be accepted. You can find more details about the primary from the Exponent here and more on registration from the J&C here.

David Sanders' campaign for the Indiana 4th District congressional seat has created a campaign website for the candidate. It features Sanders' positions on many issues, information about campaign events, opportunities to donate and volunteer, and a biographical sketch.

Also included is a strong list of endorsements and a video clip of Sanders responding to Rep. Buyer's retirement that appeared on CNN.

David Sanders is a familiar figure to many area Democrats, but his website provides an opportunity to learn David's positions on issues that are facing us today and for others outside the party to understand the new direction of leadership he will bring to Indiana. Visit www.sandersforcongress.org.

Brad Ellsworth's Senate campaign has put up a great new website. for the candidate. It is themed on his long career in law enforcement: the picture at the top features the candidate, arms crossed, leaning against his Vanderburgh County County sheriff's car, and a sheriff's badge is part of its logo. There are issue pages, a bio, forms to volunteer and contribute, information about events, new releases, and a blog that will be maintained by Brad and his wife, Beth.

There's also a link to a column Ellsworth wrote for the Huffington Post about a bill he is sponsoring with Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill to crack down on government contractors who cheat on their taxes; he cites a GAO report that estimates this as an annual $5 billion loss for the government.

Take a look at Rep. Ellsworth's site. It's a great place to get to know the candidate. Visit www.ellsworthforindiana2010.com.