After arrests of four Bridgeport campaign workers for misuse of absentee ballots in a 2019 Democratic primary, many are calling for our Hartford politicians to review current laws to improve election security. Already the General Assembly approved some minor reforms including mandatory video surveillance of drop boxes, enhanced protection for election workers and limits on the number of absentee ballot applications that can be taken out by campaign operatives.
A special session of the General Assembly this week may include additional election reform. Ideas that Governor Lamont might support include setting up an election reform commission, better tracing of absentee ballots, and faster enforcement turnaround. Tighter measures supported by Republicans include better signature-certification processes for absentee (mail-in) ballots, mandatory photo IDs at the polls and removal of no-longer needed drop boxes.
Between the lines: great ideas, but tighter election security is unlikely in Democrat-controlled Hartford.
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