The Connecticut state lawmakers took steps towards tightening absentee ballot laws, following an incident in Bridgeport where video footage showed people stuffing reams of ballots into collection boxes, leading to skepticism about election security. The proposed changes include mandatory surveillance cameras at drop-boxes, improved tracking of ballots, and new protections for poll workers. While no one has been charged yet in connection with the alleged irregularities, Democrats and Republicans both agree that passing this legislation is crucial to increase public confidence in state elections. The bill easily cleared the House of Representatives and is now awaiting final legislative action in the Senate.
The episode in Bridgeport, where the results of the September mayoral primary were tossed out by a judge, highlighted gaps in current laws and raised concerns about the integrity of elections. Democratic Representative Matt Blumenthal emphasized that there has been no evidence of voter impersonation or manipulated votes in Bridgeport. Despite ongoing investigations, there have been no confirmed reports of fake or erroneous ballots being inserted into the ballot boxes. The proposed bill aims to address these challenges and enhance the security, transparency, and public perception of integrity in elections.
Unlike other states where questions of election security have sparked partisan disputes, Connecticut’s bill passed unanimously in the Democratic controlled House of Representatives. The legislation would require the installation of video cameras at drop boxes by July 1, 2025, and make the footage available to the public. It also includes measures for tracking individual absentee ballots, tightening procedures for obtaining them, and addressing redundancies in voter rolls. Additionally, the bill seeks to expedite the referral of potential violations of election law to the appropriate authorities and protect poll workers’ addresses from public disclosure to prevent harassment.
Republican Representative Gale Mastrofrancesco criticized the bill for not going far enough in preventing election fraud, suggesting that signatures on absentee ballots should be verified. However, she acknowledged that the bill represents a positive step in the right direction and does not harm the integrity of the elections. The incident in Bridgeport, where videos showed a Ganim supporter stuffing absentee ballots into a drop box, led to a legal challenge that resulted in a new primary being ordered. Despite the controversy surrounding the race, incumbent Democratic Mayor Joe Ganim ultimately won re-election following a series of election events.
The scandal in Bridgeport, which gained national attention due to the surveillance videos, raised concerns about election security and fueled conspiracy theories. Election experts emphasize that the incident in Bridgeport is unique to the city and should not be viewed as evidence of widespread problems in U.S. elections. The bill in Connecticut aims to address these concerns and restore public confidence in the election process. With bipartisan support and a focus on enhancing transparency, security, and integrity, the legislation represents an important step towards safeguarding the electoral system in the state.
