Government Administration and Elections Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-1014
AN ACT CONCERNING A MUNICIPAL ELECTION MONITOR FOR THE 2021
Title: MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND THE 2022 STATE ELECTION.
Vote Date: 3/29/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/10/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Government Administration and Elections Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill seeks to establish an election monitor position in any municipality where the
population exceeds one hundred forty thousand persons. The election monitor will be tasked
with detecting and preventing any irregularity and impropriety in the management of election
administration procedures. Election monitors will be contracted to serve in such capacity
during the 2021 municipal elections as well as the 2022 state election.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Denise W. Merrill, Secretary of the State of Connecticut: Secretary Merrill highlighted the
success that came as a result of the election monitor position established in Bridgeport during
the 2020 election. The election monitor was tasked with assisting the registrars and city
clerks in a concerted effort to ensure that the election was administered properly, smoothly
and in accordance with Title 9. Secretary Merrill acknowledged the requests from Bridgeport
voters and representatives, asking to extend the program. She urged the committee to
support the appropriation of funding to continue the position for the next two election cycles.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Paula Bacolini, Founder, Make Voting Easy - CT: Citing the positive outcome that came as
a result of the election monitor position established in Bridgeport last year, Ms. Bacolini
believes that election monitors are critically important to maintaining security, integrity and
trust in our electoral process.
Sauda Efia Baraka, Chairperson, Bridgeport Working Families Town Committee & the
Greater Bridgeport NAACP Criminal Justice Committee: Ms. Baraka expressed the
satisfaction of Bridgeport residents with the appointment of Attorney Max Medina as
Bridgeports election monitor last year. Ms. Baraka stated that Attorney Medina provided the
necessary supervision and guidance for the general election, but she emphasized the need
for such oversight particularly during the local primary elections. She urged the committee to
support this bill so that Bridgeport voters and election officials have the necessary support to
rebuild trust and ensure a free and fair election.
Marta Daniels: Ms. Daniels addressed the shortcomings of the bill passed in the special
session, which used money from the CARES Act to establish an election monitor in
Bridgeport only for the 2020 general election. She emphasized the need to continue funding
an election monitor in Bridgeport for the upcoming elections, that way voters have the
necessary support to restore confidence in the integrity of their elections.
Judy Lhamon, Vice President of Advocacy, League of Women Voters of Connecticut:
Ms. Lhamon made reference to the numerous requests for an election monitor in Bridgeport,
coming from both the League of Women Voters and various civic groups in the city. She
made clear that she believes now is the time to implement this position in order to restore
confidence in elections and government in Bridgeport.
Cheri Quickmire, Executive Director, Common Cause in Connecticut: Ms. Quickmire
made reference to the vast improvement reported in cities where election monitors have been
appointed. On behalf of Common Cause in Connecticut, Ms. Quickmire urged that the bill be
passed and supervision by the office of the Secretary of the State continue in municipalities
that have had election administration improprieties in the past.
Peter Spain: Mr. Spain, a voter from Bridgeport, submitted written testimony in support of the
continued funding for the election monitor program in the city. He made clear that the city
needed an impartial election monitor in order to restore trust and integrity in Bridgeports
government and elections. Additionally, Mr. Spain cited comments from Superior Court Judge
Barry Stevens, where the judge called upon the legislature to take action to reform the
absentee ballot process, which has been exploited by political operatives in Bridgeport. Mr.
Spain acknowledged that having an election monitor in the city is a step in the right direction
to prevent absentee ballot fraud, but he believes that the legislature will have to take
corrective action to reform the structure of our states voting methods.
The following individuals submitted testimony in support of the bill establishing the
election monitor position in certain municipalities. They cited reasons similar to those
stated in the aforementioned testimonies:
Gemeem Davis and Callie Gale Heilmann, Co-Directors of Bridgeport Generation Now Votes
and voters in Bridgeport
Val and Patty Chamberlain
Linda Hudson
Susan Miller
Garrett Sullivan
Elsa Peterson Obuchowski
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Tanya Rhodes Smith, Director, Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political
Social Work, University of Connecticut
Jonathan Perloe, Co-founder and Steering Committee Member, Voter Choice Connecticut
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Trevor Hoffman Date: 03/29/2021
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