GARY, Ind. – A candidate for Lake County assessor said she expects to remain on the ballot and plans to prove that she's an Indiana resident despite a Bureau of Motor Vehicles ruling that she lives in Michigan.

Democrat Carol Ann Seaton told The Times of Munster she will appeal the ruling by Administrative Law Judge Carla D. Hartman, who found that Seaton held driver's licenses from Indiana and Michigan at the same time for many years.

Indiana law bars drivers from holding licenses in other states, the Northwest Times reported.

Both of Seaton's licenses were suspended in June, and Hartman recommended her Indiana license and vehicle registration remain suspended until Seaton proves she is an Indiana resident. She also recommended Seaton's driving privileges be suspended a year even if her license is restored.

Prosecutor Bernard Carter has charged Seaton with misdemeanor perjury, accusing her of lying under oath for not telling Indiana officials she also had a Michigan driver's license.

Seaton lists a Gary address in BMV documents. Michigan records indicate Seaton lives in Union Pier, Mich.

Seaton has served on the Lake County property tax appeals board for more than a decade.

Hank Adams, her Republican opponent in the assessor's race, said he never questioned Seaton's residency.

"I always saw her here as a member of the Lake County Property Tax Board of Appeals," he said.

The deadline to challenge Seaton's candidacy with the county election board was Feb. 26, but state law requires candidates who move out of the district to withdraw from the ballot.

Seaton said she is confident she will win her appeal and prove she lives in Gary.