Secretary of State Denise Merrill said she will be filing a complaint on Tuesday evening due to what she called "gross dereliction of duties" by Hartford registrars.
Merrill said during WNPR's special coverage of election night that even if voter lists aren't present at a polling place, there are protocols the moderator at a polling site should follow. "Bottom line is the vote should go on, and moderators are charged with deciding how to do that in a fair way," she said.
Merrill's complaint against the three Hartford Registrars of Voters with the State Election Enforcement Commission came Tuesday night in the form of an email. See the text below:
Dear Attorney Ahern: I am writing to inform you of our intention to file a complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission regarding the gross misconduct of the Hartford Registrars of Voters during the election of November 4, 2014. Based upon recent facts that have emerged regarding the conduct of the Hartford Registrars of Voters during Election Day and based upon the testimony presented in the matter of Dannel P. Malloy v. Olga Iris Vasquez, Sheila N. Hall, Urania Petit and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Superior Court, Hartford (November 4, 2014) it is our understanding that the following election law violations have occurred: (1) failure to properly prepare the final registry list pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 9-38; (2) failure to properly prepare and open the polls in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 9-174; (3) failure to properly mark the official registry list regarding absentee ballots in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 9-140c; (4) failure to properly implement and follow the voting process in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 9-261; failure to properly transmit the official registry list to the moderator of each polling location in violation of Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 9-259; and neglect of their official duties pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 9-355. We will certainly provide your agency with additional material and details as they become available. Sincerely, Ted Bromley Staff Attorney
"The only thing contemplated in statute is someone should sign an affidavit," Merrill said, "which is something as simple as what I had to do this morning: sign your name, address, and produce an identification card. Then you’re supposed to give them a ballot, and then sequester that ballot so it can be traced later."
Merrill said a basic requirement for registrars is to have voter lists at the polls. The problem in Hartford, in her view, was a violation of at least three statutes she said she could quote offhand.
"I think it requires immediate action, because people are outraged," Merrill said. "Even if people don't live in Hartford, people take this very seriously that they have a right to vote. They are so troubled by the idea that their vote would not be counted. It's a terrible thing that has happened."
Merrill added the State's Attorney's office could also become involved to determine whether there should be a criminal investigation.
