BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Following accusations that state leaders have been silent in the Bridgeport ballot battle, FOX61 went straight to Governor Ned Lamont to ask a few questions.
Regarding absentee ballot fraud, “We caught it,” Lamont said.
It was only caught by a whistleblower. Had it not been leaked, it would have never been discovered.
Does the Governor have concerns about that?
“I do, but look, there were video cameras at each and every one of these places. Everybody knows there are video cameras there. I think that’s going to make it a lot less likely that this ever happens again,” said Lamont.
It’s important to note that cameras at ballot drop boxes are not mandated. Many drop boxes are not placed under a camera. Even if they are, who is monitoring them?
Their mere presence in Bridgeport wasn’t enough to deter a city employee from allegedly doing the same thing she was accused of doing in 2019.
“I’d like to see the wheels of justice speed up a little bit. Last time, four years ago, it took three and half years before we could hold somebody accountable. I think that was a problem,” said Lamont.
Wanda Geter hasn’t been held accountable. The State Elections Enforcement Commission has recommended Criminal charges – but that’s still pending with the Chief State's Attorney’s Office.
“We’ve also gotten a lot of phone calls into this office detailing that the very same operatives are out there,” according to the Gomes’ campaign manager Christine Bartlett-Josie.
Speaking of the Gomes campaign, it claims it has asked Lamont to step in.
“We have elected officials both here and at the state level who have been quiet because they are part of the system that has been favoring their election,” said John Gomes.
Lamont responded, “I haven’t heard a word from them. Not one word.”
FOX61 asked Gov. Lamont, does he thinks absentee ballot fraud is isolated or systemic.
“I don’t think it’s systemic statewide,” said Lamont. And does he think Mayor Joe Ganim, who spent seven years in prison on corruption charges, had anything to do with it? “I don’t think so. Campaigns are big, busy, messy places,” said Lamont.
A messy place where one person named Peggy Reeves was appointed to clean it up. “We're going to get it right. We’ve got an election monitor,” said Lamont. But that election monitor doesn’t go door to door, which is where ballot harvesting occurs.
Despite all we’ve seen in Bridgeport, is looking to expand absentee voting further to what’s called ‘no-excuse absentee voting.' A statewide referendum will be on the ballot in 2024 so voters can weigh in. “I don’t think that early voting or absentee ballot is the cause of some of these cases of potential corruption. I think it’s people who are doing the corrupting,” said Lamont.
Lamont signed early voting into law in June. Beginning next year it will allow voters to cast a ballot 14 days before Election Day and seven days before a primary.
As for Bridgeport, there’s still no word on when a new primary will be held. The State Elections Enforcement Commission will meet again Wednesday to provide an update on their investigation.
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