INDIANAPOLIS — The Office of the Indiana Secretary of State released a firm public statement today addressing swirling questions surrounding a former high-profile employee, declaring that any insinuations regarding her legal work status are “uninformed and irresponsible.”
The press release, issued Tuesday, May 26, 2026, aims to clarify the hiring process and employment timeline of Ms. Elina Kupce, who served in the administration under Secretary of State Diego Morales for two and a half years before stepping down last month.
According to state records provided by the administration, Kupce was employed by the Secretary of State’s office from October 2023 through April 2026. Officials emphasized that she was legally authorized to work in the United States at all times during her tenure.
To counter allegations that proper procedures were bypassed, the Secretary of State’s office detailed the multi-step background screening handled by the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD)—an independent state agency tasked with handling human resources for state government:
- October 2, 2023: The Secretary of State’s office submitted Kupce’s employment application and credentials to the INSPD Human Resources Department.
- Vetting Window: INSPD conducted standard pre-hire checks, which include verifying citizenship or legal residency status, checking federal work authorizations, executing criminal history checks, and confirming previous employment and education credentials.
- October 12, 2023: Ten days later, INSPD officially advised the Secretary of State’s office that Kupce’s background check was fully completed and satisfactory, authorizing the office to extend an official employment offer.
The administration also used the statement to clarify federal hiring laws amid public scrutiny over what employers can and cannot ask candidates during the recruitment process.
Under U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, employers are legally forbidden from asking an applicant if they are a United States citizen as a strict condition of hiring or prior to extending an official job offer. Instead, employers utilize standard I-9 verification procedures to confirm legal work authorization after the onboarding process begins.
Kupce officially submitted her resignation on April 29, 2026, pointing to undisclosed personal reasons for her departure.
The administration heavily praised her contributions to the state government, attempting to put a definitive end to the outside speculation. “Ms. Kupce was a highly regarded member of our staff and provided valuable services to the agency and to the state,” the statement concluded.
