x
Breaking News
More () »

Bridgeport Democratic Registrar refuses to explain absentee ballot tabulation process

State GOP chair says Bridgeport ballot controversy is a teachable moment.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — In Bridgeport, the do-over primary for mayor may have ended but the story is far from over. Absentee ballots were still getting counted Wednesday, yet the city official in charge of overseeing that process, so far, has refused to discuss how it works.

On Election Day, FOX61 showed up with our cameras at the city government center to observe the open and public process of counting absentee ballots.

On Wednesday, we asked Democratic Registrar of Voters Patricia Howard to explain for people how the votes get counted. She refused. She walked into her office and shut the door. Howard is named in the absentee ballot fraud lawsuit brought by the Gomes campaign.

A judge found widespread evidence of ballot fraud and ordered the original election overturned. The absentee ballot process in Bridgeport has come under national and international scrutiny.

Meanwhile, on the heels of a third Joe Ganim win. “It’s a very strong victory by pure numbers,” said Ganim following his victory speech Tuesday, the mayor says he will now ask a judge to nullify a scheduled February general election. “I’m hoping that we can go to court and make this the last election in this election cycle for Bridgeport,” added Ganim.

All eyes turn to his opponent John Gomes. “This is not a concession speech,” he said Tuesday night. Gomes came up short with Tuesday’s in-person machine vote. It’s a vote he’s won twice before. “Obviously the numbers that we see in front of us we didn’t expect,” said Gomes.

Does he have the energy, support and money to trudge on to February? “We are going to evaluate what has happened. We are going to look at the path forward on to the general election,” said Gomes.

But even if Gomes drops out, Unaffiliated candidate Lamond Daniels and Republican David Herz would have to do the same for the February election to be canceled. “I will not be the cause for the city to have another election and spend that kind of money. So if Gomes decides to step down I will sign the same piece of paper and we will ask Lamond Daniels to do the same and we will end this election fiasco,” said Herz.

For his part, Lamond Daniels said he will be meeting with both campaigns and hearing what they have to say before making a decision on whether to drop out of the race.

GOP Party Chair Ben Proto said Bridgeport is a teachable moment for the state. “One of the things it taught us is that our absentee ballot laws are not sufficient,” said Proto.

The question now is will lawmakers be willing to learn the lesson? And what will happen to the controversial absentee ballot drop boxes? “They certainly served a purpose during COVID. That has long since gone,” said Proto. “The legislature in my opinion has already admitted that we don’t need ballot boxes by adopting an early voting program that requires you to do it in person.”

At the end of the day Bridgeport voters say they are tired of seeing the same movie. “I think it’s crazy that people stuff ballots. I believe everybody has a right to vote. But you do not forge people’s ballots,” remarked Jacqueline Pouncie.

RELATED: Who won the Democratic mayoral primary rerun in Bridgeport?

Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com

HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS

Download the FOX61 News APP

iTunes: Click here to download

Google Play: Click here to download

Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.

Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.

FOLLOW US ON XFACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

Before You Leave, Check This Out