BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Democratic voters in Bridgeport will head back to the polls as officials propose a date for a new primary in the mayor’s race. But more importantly, leaders have proposed new rules to help limit absentee ballot fraud.
The proposed date is January 23. It'll be the third time in the last five months that Bridgeport voters have been asked to cast a ballot on who they want to lead their city. Depending on who wins the primary, they may also be asked to do it a fourth time.
“I know we have another two months to go but we’ve fought too long and too hard to get where we are at. We are upholding Democracy now not only in Bridgeport but in Connecticut and in the United States as a whole and Bridgeport cannot be used as a poster child for voter fraud,” said candidate for mayor, John Gomes.
This is why the Secretary of the State has also proposed temporary new rules surrounding absentee balloting meant to cut down on fraud.
Absentee ballots received through the drop box will now be stamped so they can be distinguished from mailed ballots.
Anyone who requests more than five absentee ballot applications will have those applications assigned serial numbers for tracking, and finally, no one will be allowed to request an absentee ballot application before Dec 29.
“That’s important because we know that the culture in Bridgeport is about harvesting. It’s about harvesting old applications which are blank on dates and putting dates based on specific elections,” explained Gomes.
So, do the new rules give voters more confidence?
“Needed to have that from the start, but better late than never,” remarked Francis Pressley of Bridgeport.
Ricky Gagne chimed in, “I guess they would be more scared to do the fraud so hopefully everything will come out right this time and it will be over with.”
A sentiment echoed by the Gomes campaign, who notes it's a short-term fix to a systemic problem.
“The Secretary of the State, along with legislators and those here in Bridgeport need to step up and make sure we have a solution for the long term to restore the integrity when we talk about the election process here in Bridgeport,” said Gomes.
After alleging absentee ballot fraud in two rounds of voting, Gomes said he is prepared to accept the results of whatever the January primary shows.
“I’m confident. I’m ready to accept it," he said.
If Joe Ganim wins the new primary, he will become mayor. If Gomes wins the new primary there will be a new general election proposed to be held February 27.
FOX61 reached out to Mayor Ganim’s campaign for a comment on these proposed new rules but we did not hear back. His legal team has until Friday to either sign on to the proposed new rules or request changes.
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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