BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — After alleged ballot fraud in Bridgeport during the primaries this year, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas announced new rules surrounding absentee ballots for the city's upcoming primary election in January.
In early September, surveillance video obtained by the campaign of challenger John Gomes surfaced. In what showed an alleged city worker, supporting Mayor Joe Ganim, stuffing absentee ballots into a drop box outside the Margaret Morton Government Center just a week before the primary election.
After Gomes brought the allegation to the courts, Superior Court Judge William Clark ordered a new primary in Bridgeport with detailed guardrails for the Jan. 23 primary election.
One of the ways to prevent ballot fraud is through community outreach, according to Thomas.
“Election malfeasance can only be addressed if it is reported and investigated, which requires the help of the public,” said Thomas in a statement. “In the absence of public education funding, we are working through as many outlets as possible to get knowledge into the hands of the people.”
Thomas said that new ballots and serial numbers that are specific to an election will prevent anyone from using previously collected ballots. Each ballot will be individually stamped to identify it as a ballot that was dropped in a box.
Existing law requires local officials to use specifically assigned serial numbers for absentee ballots when individuals request five or more absentee ballot applications.
Additional measures for Bridgeport will also be taken by the state, which includes:
- A thorough training on absentee ballot laws and procedures will be conducted for the newly elected Town Clerk, Charlie Stallworth.
- Share proper absentee ballot procedures with the Bridgeport police department for when they are serving as a designee for the absentee ballot application.
- Accompany the town clerk or designee on all pick-ups from drop boxes during the election period.
- Working with the absentee ballot moderator to ensure familiarity with and compliance with the Absentee Ballot Manual.
- Ensure that the Head Moderator has refreshed training ahead of Election Night.
- Accompanying the registrars of voters when undertaking supervised absentee ballots.
- Reviewing absentee ballot applications for unusual patterns and reporting when called for.
- Modifying drop box pick-up procedures on Election Night to ensure all boxes are uniformly locked at 8 p.m.
Thomas also announced the names of Peggy Reeves and Waterbury Registrar of Voters Tim DeCarlo, who will serve as election monitors at the Bridgeport primary next month.
“Peggy and Tim each have a deep knowledge of Connecticut elections law and procedures, which is key for this role,” said Thomas said in a statement. “Peggy already has a familiarity with the city and its officials from her time spent there during the General Election, and Tim has a solid working relationship with town election officials through his work with the Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut (ROVAC). By sharing the election monitor role, we are mirroring Connecticut's tradition of party parity while also building in redundancy to provide a constant presence in Bridgeport despite any life emergencies or illness. I’m grateful to both of them for their service to our state and the Bridgeport community.”
To report election malfeasance, contact the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) by calling 860-256-2940 or completing and delivering a complaint form linked here.
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