Judge orders new primary election after seeing video showing possible ballot-stuffing

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A Connecticut judge has dismissed the results of a Democratic mayoral primary election in the state's largest city and ordered a new election be held after video surveillance captured people placing multiple absentee ballots into outdoor collection boxes.

The Wednesday ruling by Superior Court Judge William Clark came just six days before the general election, creating a perplexing scenario in which voters will decide the outcome of Bridgeport’s mayoral election on Nov. 7, then be asked to return to the polls at a later, undetermined date to choose the rightful Democratic nominee in that very same race.

In his ruling, Clark noted that he lacked the authority to postpone or cancel the general election. However, he said he had seen enough evidence of malfeasance to order a rerun of the Sept. 12 Democratic primary election in which incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim defeated challenger John Gomes by 251 votes out of 8,173 cast.

"The volume of ballots so mishandled is such that it calls the result of the primary election into serious doubt and leaves the court unable to determine the legitimate result of the primary," Clark stated in his ruling.

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Judge William Clark presides over a hearing in Bridgeport Superior Court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Sept. 25, 2023. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool, File)

Clark cited statistics showing that abnormally large numbers of absentee ballots were cast in certain voting districts and video evidence showing multiple people shoving stacks of ballots into drop boxes, in violation of state law.

"The videos are shocking to the court and should be shocking to all the parties," the judge wrote.

Clark gave lawyers in the case 10 days to confer with city and state election officials on a possible date for the new primary. It is unclear whether city officials will appeal his decision in the meantime.

Despite the judge’s decision, the general election will take place as planned on Tuesday. Ganim will appear as the Democratic nominee. Gomes, the city’s former chief administrative officer, is on the ballot, too, as an independent candidate. Lamond Daniels and Republican David Herz are also running for mayor.

"This is a victory for the people of Bridgeport," Gomes said of Clark's decision, according to The Associated Press. "Our campaign always believed that the integrity of our democratic process must be upheld and Superior Court Judge William Clark agreed."

Democratic Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim speaks at a Bridgeport Superior Court hearing in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Oct. 17, 2023. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, Pool)

Ganim, who was convicted of corruption during a first stint as mayor but won his old job back in an election after his release from prison, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of wrongdoing related to ballots. He has also accused Gomes campaign workers of breaking voting rules.

William Bloss, a lawyer for Gomes, said he believed the judge’s ruling Wednesday set up a scenario in which a primary would only be needed if Ganim wins the general election. A Gomes victory, he claimed, would make the primary moot.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission is currently investigating the allegations of ballot-stuffing, as well as other possible improprieties.

Lawyers for city officials had argued in a joint legal brief that the security camera footage does not prove anything illegal took place. They said "not one voter" testified about their ballot being mishandled.

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During testimony held before the judge last month, one person is seen on surveillance video stuffing stacks of papers into a ballot drop box. Gomes contends the person is Wanda Geter-Pataky, a Ganim supporter and vice chair of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee. In court, Geter-Pataky exercised her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions. A former City Council member and current candidate also declined to answer questions about whether she appears in other videos.

Judge William Clark gave lawyers in the case 10 days to confer with city and state election officials on a possible date for the new primary. It’s unclear whether city officials will appeal his decision in the meantime. (Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Image)

For some Republicans in the state, the Bridgeport ballot case is further proof that the state needs to pass certain election reforms.

"These videos confirm our fears about how absentee ballots can be misused. Now the court has spoken," state Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. "What we need now is trust, faith and confidence in our electoral system."

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Under Connecticut law, voters using a collection box must drop off their completed ballots themselves, or designate certain family members, police, local election officials or a caregiver to do it for them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.