An investigation began, allegations were made and a possible lawsuit was threatened after voter registration forms were claimed missing. But now the key witness has left town and the Undergraduate Student Government's case has gone with him.

John Russel, a former University student, testified at a USG Senate hearing last semester that he counted more than 1,000 completed voter registration forms for last November's general election and handed them in to the Centre County Board of Elections on Oct. 1.

But Centre County officials said they never received that many forms.

"We received about 200," said Evan Smith, Centre County director of administrative services.

USG Senate President Mike King said after Russel's claim that USG may file a lawsuit as a last resort if no agreement could be made or if evidence of wrongdoing was found.

Centre County election officials have been investigating and they met with King again last week. Forming a centralized voting location at the HUB was discussed, but because Russel was not at the meeting, the investigation could not be pursued, King said.

The election officials said they extended an offer to Russel to come to the meeting and "tell them what happened," but Russel left town, said Centre County Commissioner Denny Sciabica.

"I was hoping to talk to him face-to-face," he said.

King said he was unable to get in contact with Russel.

Smith said because Russel was not available, there is nothing for the election officials to investigate.

"Without someone who can say, 'Yes, I brought them here and I handed them to this person,' then we have no case," Smith said.

But Russel, who is now living in Wilkes-Barre, said he was not informed about the meeting.

"I've been in contact with student leaders, but I knew nothing about it," Russel said, adding that King and other student leaders are trying to "push the investigation under the carpet" so as not to anger election officials.

Russel also said he has named the person who received the voter registration forms.

"I'm 80 to 90 percent sure Joyce McKinley received the forms and I took them to the Willowbank Building," Russel said.

McKinley, Centre County director of elections, said she did receive the 200 voter registration forms turned in, but could not confirm Russel's figure of 1,000.

But Sciabica said he has never heard Russel name McKinley or the Willowbank Building in Bellefonte before.

A claim like Russel's was made about six to eight years ago. During that claim, a box full of registration forms was found at the HUB six months later, Sciabica said, adding that may be what happened this year.

King said student leaders and election officials need to move on. He plans to concentrate on educating students, developing a centralized location for next year's voter registration and working to set up informational seminars for students so voting does not get "screwed up" in the future.

Smith added that the election officials are willing to help with the seminars.

"If USG wants us to send a representative we could," Smith said.