Fasano Questions Merrill on Alarming Absentee Ballot Issues Raised by Town Clerks

Fasano Questions Merrill on Delays in Absentee Ballot Mailings, Why No Notice to the Public and Alarming Problems with Third-Party Mail House

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) today wrote to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill regarding a long list of concerns raised by town clerks over the process of mailing absentee ballots from a third-party mail house for the August 11 primary election overseen by Secretary Merrill.  Town clerks have said these issues raise concerns of voter disenfranchisement.

“It has come to my attention that there are alarming and serious problems regarding delays, compliance with state statute, and election protocols involving the third-party mail house your office hired to mail absentee ballot sets for the August 11, 2020 primary election,” Fasano wrote. “I have heard from town clerks raising disturbing and unsettling concerns about the disenfranchisement of voters. Ballots have been delayed not once, but twice, violating state statute. There are also significant concerns about how the mail house is labeling envelopes and using – or not using – certain required identification numbers that are necessary for ballots to be processed.”

Sen. Fasano’s letter details the issues that have been shared with him by town clerks and asks Secretary Merrill multiple questions about what is being done to protect people’s right to vote.

“I am alarmed not only by the alleged issues, in particular the breach of statutory duty,  but also by your lack of communication on what has been going on. Earlier this week lawmakers voted to approve a bill that would expand absentee balloting in the November General Election. That vote was based on assurances from you and your office that the absentee ballot process was running smoothly for the August primary election. You never once indicated to me that there were issues in the system being reported. Withholding vital information from lawmakers before a vote expanding an absentee voting process is unacceptable,” Fasano wrote.

Read Sen. Fasano’s letter.