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Bridgeport election complicated by court ruling

After finding what a judge called “shocking” evidence of absentee ballot fraud, state officials are now left scrambling.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — After finding what a judge called “shocking” evidence of absentee ballot fraud in Bridgeport, state officials are now left scrambling after that judge ruled the city must hold a new primary. 

It’s a confusing and unprecedented scenario. “It is helpful to have video evidence of your opponent committing crimes,” remarked attorney Bill Bloss on Thursday, a day after a judge ruled that there was enough evidence of ballot fraud to seriously doubt the results of the primary. The primary showed Mayor Joe Ganim with a 251 vote lead.

It was unprecedented video evidence from absentee ballot drop boxes that propelled John Gomes to a legal victory, and it's what he hopes will translate into a political one on Tuesday. “We are focused on November 7th. If we come out as the voters of Bridgeport and cast our vote. We will stand here again victorious,” said Gomes.
 
Despite being focused on November 7, Judge William Clark’s ruling of a new primary has state election officials trying to figure out what comes next. “We are at this very moment talking with the Attorney General’s Office,” said Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas.

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If Gomes wins on Tuesday, the case is over. There’s no need for a new primary. If Ganim wins, there will be a new primary. If Ganim wins the new primary, he becomes mayor. If Gomes wins the new primary, there will be a second general election.

The dates are all still to be announced. To complicate the situation further, the state just hired an interim election monitor for Bridgeport on Tuesday, Peggy Reeves. 

The legislature funded the position with a $150,000 salary. “We had 4 weeks to find someone for a job that is very specific. There aren’t that many people who know election law who don’t have a job already, don’t want to be paid benefits and want to be hounded by the news media every day,” explained  Thomas.

FOX61 obtained the numbers for exactly how many absentee ballots are issued for Tuesday’s election. In Bridgeport, it's 2,281. That’s The most of any Connecticut community. 

“The district where the absentee ballot harvesting has happened. It continues to happen. We’ve also gotten a lot of phone calls into this office detailing that the very same operatives are out there,” remarked Christine Bartlett-Josie, Gomes’ campaign manager.
 
Ganim said in a statement, “…we will explore all legal options that are available to us, including the possibility of appealing the court’s decision.” Atty. Bloss responded, “This is one, I would be happy to stand in front of the Supreme Court and defend.”

Ganim has denied any involvement in the fraud. But when asked what his gut tells him, Gomes replied, “Indirectly, subconsciously, I will tell you yes.”

In the backdrop of all of this, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the Chief State’s Attorney's Office are still conducting their own criminal investigations. 

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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