BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Residents of Connecticut's largest city expressed frustration Thursday at the ongoing dispute over the results of the Sept. 12 primary, which is only the latest in a series of voting controversies for the city.
The allegations in Bridgeport center around absentee ballot fraud. Resident Ronald Cohen claims he was sent an absentee ballot but never requested it.
“They send me an absentee ballot, but I throw that away and go to the polls myself,” said Cohen. “Somebody requested it for me. I didn’t request it."
It is legal to be sent an absentee ballot application through the mail. In Connecticut, a voter must first fill out an application to request an absentee ballot. Sometimes, people get the applications confused with ballots.
Nonetheless, the claim was reported to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission, which is currently investigating.
“It puts me in a position where even when I do vote, I feel like sometimes my voice along with others doesn’t matter because people are still going to get in the chair regardless,” said Kevin Wilson, another Bridgeport resident.
History has shown that when voters feel disenfranchised, turnout is suppressed by voter apathy. During last month's Democratic primary in Bridgeport, only 25.9% of voters cast a ballot. One Bridgeport resident said it’s time for everyone to pay attention.
“It’s crazy. I don’t watch the news that much, but when something like this happens, people have to focus on what’s going on in Bridgeport – all over,” said Leonardo Ortiz.
With a general election less than six weeks away, Bridgeport voters will have to pay attention now more than ever. A court case is now underway where a judge could rule to throw out the primary results. It would set off an unprecedented scenario.
“The Connecticut Supreme Court decided four years ago that even if the general election happens and the primary hasn’t been settled, the judge can order a new primary, and the new primary can happen after the general election. Then there would be another general election after that,” explained Attorney William Bloss, who is representing John Gomes, a candidate for Mayor.
That 2019 State Supreme Court case reference is Lazar v. Ganim which deals with ballot fraud in Bridgeport. Its decision acknowledged, “there is considerable room for fraud in absentee (ballot) voting…” but it also set a high bar to overturn election results, going on to say, “The ordering of a new and different election in effect disenfranchises all of those who voted at the first election…”
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas said that to inform an entire town of new election dates, it would take a lot of effort and a lot of different actors coming together to inform people.
"I like to remind people that our office has no budget for public outreach and information, so I hope the courts keep that in mind as well,” noted Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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