Connecticut Republican leaders have requested a federal investigation into the integrity of the state’s electoral system, citing alleged election crimes in Bridgeport.
5 individuals have been arrested final week following an investigation into the dealing with of absentee ballots through the 2023 mayoral election cycle in Bridgeport.
Inspectors from the Workplace of the Chief State’s Legal professional arrested Wanda Geter-Pataky, 68, Alfredo Castillo, 53, Maria Pereira, 57, Jazmarie Melendez, 26, and Margaret Joyce, 45.
Republican leaders within the Connecticut Basic Meeting wrote to U.S. Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi formally requesting an investigation into whether or not election crimes in Bridgeport are half of a bigger, coordinated effort to defraud voters statewide, in keeping with officers.
Castillo, a Democratic metropolis councilman in Bridgeport, was amongst these arrested and faces a number of election-related expenses. Republican lawmakers are urging federal officers to look into whether or not techniques reminiscent of poll tampering, forgery, coercion and extra are getting used elsewhere in Connecticut.
“Councilman Castillo’s own words suggest a broader operation at play, involving efforts to benefit high-profile Democratic candidates at the state and federal levels,” Home Republican Chief Vincent Candelora mentioned in a press release. “We cannot ignore the possibility that these corrupt practices extend beyond Bridgeport.”
GOP leaders within the state additionally point out that the legislature hasn’t enacted election safeguards within the wake of the Bridgeport investigation.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas mentioned Connecticut has sturdy election safeguards in place.
“In response to Bridgeport, we proposed, and legislators handed bipartisan reforms, together with necessary drop field cameras, tighter absentee poll request timelines and new reporting necessities. We proceed to push for ongoing election monitoring and voter training funding to empower whistleblowers and have labored with native officers to supply oversight, authorized assist and voter training.
Whereas we respect the function of federal authorities in investigating election-related issues, it’s essential to keep away from undermining voter confidence by means of hypothesis or politicization of the method. Our focus stays on defending the rights of all Connecticut voters and making certain that each eligible poll is counted pretty and precisely.”
NBC Connecticut has reached out to Democratic leaders for remark however has not but heard again.
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