In a court hearing on Tuesday, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, a Democrat, denied ever discussing absentee ballots with a campaign volunteer who has been accused of ballot fraud during the mayoral primary. The volunteer, Wanda Geter-Pataky, a local Democratic official and supporter, was caught on surveillance video stuffing papers into a drop box multiple times leading up to the primary. Ganim’s opponent, John Gomes, claims that the absentee ballot fraud contributed to Ganim’s narrow victory in September’s primary.
Ganim distanced himself from Geter-Pataky during the hearing and stated that he did not discuss handling absentee ballots differently with her. He also testified that he did not instruct his paid campaign staff to give her any specific instructions. Ganim won the primary by a margin of 251 votes, with absentee ballots playing a significant role in securing his victory, much like in his 2019 primary.
The primary results are being challenged by Gomes, who is seeking either a new primary or to be declared the winner. Ganim expressed shock at the videos released by Gomes’ campaign shortly after the primary, but he stated that he doesn’t know if Geter-Pataky mishandled the ballots. The State Elections Enforcement Commission is currently investigating the allegations.
Under Connecticut law, individuals using a collection box to vote by absentee ballot must drop off their completed ballots themselves or designate specific individuals to do so. Gomes, who claims his campaign workers followed state law, is requesting a judge to order a new primary. Regardless of the judge’s ruling, Gomes will still appear on the November ballot as an independent candidate.
The controversy surrounding the Bridgeport videos has gained attention on right-wing social media platforms and far-right media, drawing connections to the disputed claims of a stolen election in 2020. Geter-Pataky, currently suspended from her job as a greeter at the city hall annex, invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination multiple times during the court hearing. Another candidate, Eneida Martinez, also declined to answer questions regarding her potential involvement in additional videos presented by Gomes’ lawyer, which showed individuals depositing multiple pieces of paper resembling absentee ballots into a drop box.
Gomes’ lawyer, William Bloss, stated that out of the 1,253 absentee ballots cast in the primary, his team identified a maximum of 428 individuals who deposited ballots in the drop boxes after reviewing hours of surveillance footage. Some videos showed workers visiting the boxes to pick up ballots but finding none.
Ganim emphasized that his office took measures to ensure that the absentee ballot drop boxes, originally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, were located within view of city-owned surveillance cameras for security purposes. He also announced the implementation of more stringent measures on absentee ballot voting in response to the videos while highlighting the importance of absentee ballots for the elderly and disabled population in the city.
The court hearing is set to resume on Thursday, with Bloss possibly concluding his case, allowing the defense lawyers to present their arguments. Judge William Clark aims to issue a decision within approximately two weeks.
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