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Witnesses: Bosworth Not Present When They Signed Petitions

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota residents who signed their names to get former political candidate Annette Bosworth on the ballot say they did so when she wasn’t present.

A string of petition signers testified Thursday during Bosworth’s trial for election law violations. They included people from Hutterite colonies who say Bosworth wasn’t there when they signed nominating documents.

Bosworth is a 43-year-old Sioux Falls physician who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in the 2014 U.S. Senate race. She’s accused in part of allegedly being out of the country during a time when her petitions to get on the ballot say she was gathering signatures.

Bosworth says she’s been the target of “political persecution.” She’s pleaded not guilty to perjury and filing false documents.

The trial is expected to last through Friday.