Connecticut judge sets new primary date for mayor’s race tainted by alleged ballot box stuffing

A Connecticut judge has scheduled a new Democratic primary election for the Bridgeport mayoral race on January 23, following the nullification of the September election results due to allegations of ballot box tampering. This decision was made by Judge William Clark, and it comes after both Mayor Joe Ganim and challenger John Gomes agreed to the proposed date. Additionally, Judge Clark has stipulated that a new general election, if required, will take place on February 27.

In his order, Judge Clark has outlined specific procedures to be observed during the upcoming primary. These include making absentee ballot applications available starting December 29 and introducing a new safeguard that mandates the town clerk to stamp each absentee ballot received through drop boxes with the words “Drop Box.”

The judge’s decision to order a new primary was prompted by the emergence of surveillance footage showing Ganim supporters apparently placing multiple absentee ballots into outdoor collection boxes during the September 12 primary. Subsequently, two individuals seen in the videos were summoned to court but chose to exercise their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, declining to answer questions.

During the original primary, Ganim secured victory by a margin of 251 votes out of nearly 8,200 ballots cast. Notably, Gomes had garnered more votes in in-person voting, but Ganim surged ahead during the absentee ballot tally. This outcome raised concerns about the integrity of U.S. elections and fueled conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election. As a response, Gomes initiated a successful lawsuit contesting the election results.

It is worth noting that Ganim went on to narrowly win the general election on November 7, a contest that the judge could not halt due to state law. Presently, the State Elections Enforcement Commission is conducting an investigation into the allegations of ballot tampering and other potential irregularities.

Throughout this process, Mayor Ganim has consistently denied any involvement or knowledge of wrongdoing related to the handling of absentee ballots. His tenure as Bridgeport’s mayor, the largest city in Connecticut, had previously been interrupted by a corruption conviction that resulted in a seven-year prison sentence. He returned to office in 2015 after his release from incarceration.

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• Connecticut judge sets new primary date for mayor’s race
• Bridgeport mayoral race allegations of ballot box stuffing
• Mayor Joe Ganim
• Bridgeport, Connecticut
• State Elections Enforcement Commission