Fasano Questions Merrill for Dismissing Concerns Raised by Senator Moore

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) today wrote to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill expressing his disappointment in her refusing to look into the concerns raised by State Senator Marilyn Moore regarding alleged potential absentee-ballot fraud in the Democratic mayoral primary that took place in Bridgeport on September 10, 2019.

On Monday, Senator Fasano initially wrote to Secretary Merrill echoing the concerns raised by Senator Moore and asking what the Secretary of the State’s Office would be doing to look into the issue. Secretary Merrill responded that she will not be doing anything.

“I am disappointed that when faced with questions about the integrity of our voting system, you are refusing to review allegations of alleged fraud raised by a state senator,” Senator Fasano wrote today in response to Secretary Merrill’s letter. “I would think that as the constitutional officer charged with protecting elections, you would at the very least be curious about why Senator Moore, a respected state senator, has so many concerns. How can you uphold the integrity of elections if you turn a blind eye when someone raises concerns about the system you oversee? I am not asking that you enforce violations of state law, but I am asking that you investigate and look into concerns when raised so that you can understand and potentially fix these issues as you oversee the entire system.”

Senator Fasano also questioned Secretary Merrill’s refusal to look into allegations of abuse in a system she is trying to expand.

“You have long advocated for expanding the absentee ballot system to allow for no-excuse early voting. Yet now, when a candidate is sounding the alarm about the very same absentee ballot system that you want to expand, you are silent. I would think that the idea of expanding early voting coupled with safeguards to protect against fraud would prove very beneficial,” wrote Fasano.

Full letter below.

September 19, 2019

Dear Madam Secretary:

I am in receipt of your September 17, 2019 response to my letter sent on September 16, 2019 regarding concerns raised by State Senator Marilyn Moore regarding alleged potential absentee-ballot fraud in the Democratic mayoral primary that took place in Bridgeport on September 10, 2019.

I am disappointed that when faced with questions about the integrity of our voting system, you are refusing to review allegations of alleged fraud raised by a state senator. I would think that as the constitutional officer charged with protecting elections, you would at the very least be curious about why Senator Moore, a respected state senator, has so many concerns. How can you uphold the integrity of elections if you turn a blind eye when someone raises concerns about the system you oversee? I am not asking that you enforce violations of state law, but I am asking that you investigate and look into concerns when raised so that you can understand and potentially fix these issues as you oversee the entire system.

You have long advocated for expanding the absentee ballot system to allow for no-excuse early voting. Yet now, when a candidate is sounding the alarm about the very same absentee ballot system that you want to expand, you are silent. I would think that the idea of expanding early voting coupled with safeguards to protect against fraud would prove very beneficial.

The job of your office is to protect Democracy in our state. Therefore, your priority should be focused on eliminating fraud in the voting system and, if allegations of fraud are raised, working hard to restore voters’ faith in the electoral process by taking such concerns seriously. When people vote who should not be voting or who vote multiple times, the vote of every other person is diluted, and their constitutional right to an equal vote is therefore denied. Whenever any candidate alleges that fraud could potentially be happening, you should be taking the lead to root out the issue and restore people’s trust in the system.

Without knowing what the problems are, how can you fully protect voters? It is disheartening to hear you say that looking at allegations of fraud in the system you oversee is not your job. When you are responsible for protecting the entire voting system, I believe it is your job to be aware of and consider potential abuses so that you are best prepared to strengthen the system moving forward.

Sincerely,
Len Fasano
Senate Republican Leader