2019 Election Update
Connecticut: The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission vote 4-0 this week to Open an Investigation and Issue Subpoenas regarding Allegations of Absentee Ballot Irregularities in the recent Democratic Primary in Bridgeport Won by Incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim.
Hearst Connecticut Media First reported Widespread Problems that occurred in the Primary including: Absentee Ballot Votes Submitted by at least Two People who were Not Democrats, at least 10 Voted even though their Names did Not appear on the State’s List of Registered Voters, at least two Convicted Felons who were not eligible to vote and also cast Absentee Ballots.
The Commission said it would move quickly because the General Election is scheduled for Nov. 5th, but Officials Conceded that Investigations are Time-Consuming as Investigators Track-Down Witnesses and obtain Statements about what happened on Primary Day.
In addition to the State-Run Investigation, Three Voters have filed Suit in Bridgeport Superior Court seeking a New Election. “If election officials and people running campaigns are also under the hot seat, and they are aware that people are watching this time and to make sure it happens in a fair way, that we will get fair results and there won’t be issues of interference or absentee ballot abuse anymore,” Prerna Rao, who Represents the Voters said.
Legislative Updates
Massachusetts: House Bill 40-70, which left the Joint Committee on Election Laws with a Favorable Review last week would Change the way Elections Officials are Appointed in the Commonwealth. Under the Current Law, the Heads of the State’s Two Major Political Parties, Republican and Democrat, Choose the Candidate for that Director Position. But the Bill Lawmakers want to Pass would give that Power to the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Governor to Decide.
Oregon: According to The Oregonian, Secretary of State Bev Clarno’s Office is considering asking the Legislature to make the Secretary’s Office Nonpartisan.
Legal Updates
Indiana: A June 2020 Trial Date has been set in a Federal Lawsuit Alleging that Allen County Sheriff David Gladieux Prevented Hundreds of Jail Inmates from Voting in the 2016 Election. The Class-Action Lawsuit filed in 2017 in U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne Claims Gladieux “systematically disenfranchised hundreds of eligible voters held in the Allen County Jail during the 2016 general election by refusing to provide them absentee ballots or alternative access to the polls.”
Michigan: Southfield, Michigan City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins has been Charged with Six Election Fraud Felonies in Connection with the 2018 Election. Hawkins allegedly Altered 193 Absentee Voter Records, but the Changes did Not have an Impact on the Election Results in the City, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. According to a Michigan State Police Affidavit describing the Crime, Oakland County Elections Officials discovered the Issue during a Post-Election Audit of Southfield’s Election Results. Hawkins was Charged with: Falsifying Returns or Records; Forgery of a Public Record; Misconduct in Office, and Three Counts of using a Computer to Commit a Felony. The Charges carry a Maximum Penalty of up to 14 years in Prison and $30,000 in Fines.
Nebraska: In a Seven-Page Opinion, Attorney General Doug Preston (R) wrote that the Appointment of Election Commissioner’s in Three of the State’s Largest Counties was “constitutionally suspect”. Election Commissioners in Three Counties: Douglas; Lancaster; and Sarpy, are Appointed by the Governor, while County Commissioners do the Appointing in: Buffalo; Cass; Hall; and Platte Counties. All told, the Seven Counties make up a Majority of the State’s Voting Population. The Attorney General Supported Civic Nebraska’s Assertion that County Election Officials and Chief Deputy Election Commissioners are County Officers, and therefore must be Elected and Not Appointed.
New Hampshire: Superior Court Judge David Anderson has set a Bench Trial Date in the Suit that Challenges the 2017 Law, SB3, Domicile for Voting Purposes. The Trail would begin on Dec. 2nd and Run for about Two weeks.
Rhode Island: In Late 2018 a Group of Current and Former Rhode Island Students Sued the Governor and Department of Education arguing that the State Violates the Students’ Constitutional Right to an Adequate Civics Education. “The state defendants have failed to provide the named plaintiffs and tens of thousands of other students in the state of Rhode Island an education that is adequate to prepare them to function properly as civics participants capable of voting, serving on a jury, understanding economic, social and political systems sufficiently to make informed choices, and to participate effectively in civics activities,” the Complaint reads. The State attempted to have the Suit Dismissed arguing that it was a Local Matter, but in July 2019, the Judge Denied the State’s Request allowing the Case to Proceed.
Utah: San Juan County will Pay $2.6 Million in Legal Fees Settlement in the Massive Voting Rights Lawsuit between the County and the Navajo Nation. The Settlement was Approved at a Special Meeting of the San Juan County Commission on September 24th. The $2.6 Million is for the Navajo Nation Attorney Fees.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
