Another Election Mess? Foster Phone Call Urges Dem Voters To Support Ballot Spot

UPDATE: OIB banter has analyzed the role of Democratic Registrar of Voters Sandi Ayala in determining ballot placement for petitioning candidates.

Section 9-412 of Connecticut General Statutes covers the role of the registrar in conjunction with the “clerk” relative to petitioning candidates. Once petitions have been reviewed by the registrar they are sent to the “clerk” (in the case of Bridgeport that would be Town Clerk Alma Maya), who would activate the process to place all qualifying petitioning candidates on the ballot. Maya told OIB at 3 p.m. Monday that she had not received any correspondence from Ayala’s office. The Town Clerk’s Office by statute is supposed to have absentee ballots available on Tuesday, but can do nothing without petition paperwork from Ayala.

One of the sticking points in Ayala’s tardiness appears to be the four Foster slate candidates for Board of Education when only three slots were available. State statute language: Only as many candidates may be proposed in any one primary petition for the same office or position as are to be nominated or chosen by such party for such office or position … Last week Charlie Coviello resigned as a BOE candidate in what the Foster camp thought would resolve the issue. In addition, it’s Foster’s position if her BOE slate is certified for the ballot it would be as nominees in the general election in November, not the September 13 primary, because the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee did not endorse school board candidates as a result of the state takeover of schools.

Ayala, however, has a key role statutorily to ensure that the petition paperwork is filled out accurately from the start. It’s her responsibility to write in the names of the petitioning candidates on the paperwork. If only three BOE slots were available she should have known that when she issued the paperwork. To not certify Foster would be punishing her for Ayala’s screw-up. How does Ayala justify not certifying an entire city-wide ticket that has enough signatures to qualify because she has an issue over one school board spot? Sounds crazy? It is.

Ayala’s legal counsel on this matter includes Paul Ganim, Bridgeport’s judge of probate, and his brother Ray Ganim. Legal counsel for the Foster camp include Alan Neigher, a Westport-based attorney and Michele Mount (OIB friend MCAT). The lawyers are trying to work out a resolution with time of the essence. If Ayala refuses to certify Foster for the ballot look for the Foster camp to file an injunction.

Connecticut statute covering petitioning candidates:

Sec. 9-410. Primary petition forms for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or election as town committee members. Signatures. Circulation. (a) The petition form for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or for election as members of town committees shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the registrar of the municipality in which the candidacy is to be filed or duplicate petition pages shall be produced in accordance with section 9-409, and signatures shall be obtained only on such forms or such duplicate petition pages. Such form shall include, at the top of the form and in bold print, the following:

WARNING

IT IS A CRIME TO SIGN THIS PETITION IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO AND YOU MAY NOT SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU ARE NOT AN ELECTOR.

The form shall include thereon a statement of instructions to persons using the form and shall indicate the date and time by which it shall be filed and the person with whom it shall be filed. The form shall provide spaces for the names and addresses of the candidates, the offices to which nomination is sought or the positions to which election is sought and the political party holding the primary, and shall provide lines for the signatures, street addresses, dates of birth and the printing of the names of enrolled party members supporting the person or persons on behalf of whose candidacy the petition is used. Only as many candidates may be proposed in any one primary petition for the same office or position as are to be nominated or chosen by such party for such office or position; but any one primary petition may propose as many candidates for different offices or positions as there are nominations to be made or positions to be filled.

Sec. 9-412. Registrar’s receipt and verification of petitions for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or election as town committee members. Filing with clerk. Upon the receipt of any page of a petition proposing a candidacy for a municipal office or for member of a town committee, the registrar shall forthwith sign and give to the person submitting the petition a receipt in duplicate, stating the number of pages filed and the date and time of filing and shall forthwith certify on each such page the number of signers on the page who were enrolled on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, and shall forthwith file such certified page in person or by mail, as described in section 9-140b, with the clerk of the municipality, together with the registrar’s certificate as to the whole number of names on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in such municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, within seven days after receipt of the page. In checking signatures on primary petition pages, the registrar shall reject any name if such name does not appear on the last-completed enrollment list in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be. Such rejection shall be indicated by placing a mark in a manner prescribed by the Secretary before the name so rejected. The registrar may place a check mark before each name appearing on the enrollment list to indicate approval but shall place no other mark on the page except as provided in this chapter. The registrar shall not reject any name for which the street address on the petition is different from the street address on the enrollment list, if (1) such person is eligible to vote for the candidate or candidates named in the petition, and (2) the person’s date of birth, as shown on the petition page, is the same as the date of birth on the person’s registration record. The registrar shall reject any page of a petition which does not contain the certifications provided in section 9-410, or which the registrar determines to have been circulated in violation of any other provision of section 9-410. Petitions filed with the municipal clerk shall be preserved for a period of three years and then may be destroyed.

Meanwhile, the campaign of Democratic mayoral candidate Mary-Jane Foster kicked out an automated call Sunday afternoon to roughly 20,000 Democratic phone numbers in the city urging support for her ballot placement. The Foster camp thinks it can make hay with this issue in light of the paper ballot shortage snafu that occurred last year, the anger some voters have expressed over the reconstituted Bridgeport Board of Education and the current issue involving Foster’s qualifying effort. A transcript of the call voiced by Foster:

This is an urgent message. This is Mary-Jane Foster, Democratic candidate for Mayor of Bridgeport and I need your help to keep my name on the ballot September 13th. Bill Finch is using Tea Party tactics to keep me off the ballot. He doesn’t respect your right to vote–Call or text today, 203 212 9465 to register your support. Please call or text 203 212 9465 to allow the Foster team access to the ballot.

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56 comments

  1. OMG what a Greek tragedy this would be if MJF didn’t make it on the ballot. John Gomes must be the most miserable man on this earth knowing he would have at LEAST qualified for the ballot. Boo Hoo tsk tsk … I have a number you can call 203 372 1627. Ask for Mario and have a meeting over a nice bowl of Pasta Fagioli! Say your mea culpas and fall back in line. Your arms are too short to box with god. Go Finch Go!

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    1. If Mary-Jane Foster’s name is kept off the primary ballot it is only because Santa Ayala is bowing to pressure from Mario Testa. The signatures are there, Ms. Foster qualified. If she is denied there will be a march on City Hall and the matter will be taken up by a Superior Court judge.

      There are much better Italian restaurants in Bridgeport. No need to patronize Testo’s, that tacky banquet hall on Madison Avenue.

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    2. I just called Mario’s and it was busy. He must have been calling Foster’s HQ because her phones have been ringing off the hook.

      Now that’s what I call a “Ringing Endorsement.”

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    3. Yes, for sure tomorrow will be an interesting day. Oh and those Louboutin shoes are absolutely fabulous! We must meet after the Finch victory so you can give me your input on an outfit. No mea culpas in store for us!

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      1. Get a load of these two broads. Mary_Choen95 thinks Mario Testa is a god (“Thou shalt not worship false idols”) and Godiva2011 is obsessed with footwear, a sign of sexual dysfunction.

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  2. Bill Finch’s humpty-dumpty political career is going to fall down and break into so many pieces King Mario and all of his horses and all of his men will not be able to put it back together again.

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  3. Santa Ayala is again doing the wrong thing. There were 3,500 signatures submitted. We all know MJF needed 2169 signatures to qualify to be on the ballot. The exact reason for getting more than the required number of signatures is you know some signatures will be eliminated for a variety of reasons.
    There is no way Santa can honestly say there were 1,400 bad signatures. I reviewed every petition submitted and did see a number of bad signatures on these petitions but nowhere near 1,400 bad signatures. We knew before submitting these signatures we more than qualified to be on the ballot.
    This is nothing more than an attempt to get back at MJF and to muddy the waters. Testa and the Finch camp are deathly afraid of this primary challenge. This is nothing more than another attempt to take away voter rights.
    Let the people decide what they want and who they want to lead this city.

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  4. I don’t understand why and how Sandi Ayala can keep MJF from getting certified.

    What would SueBy have done?

    Where the hell is the new Secy of the State on this?

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  5. Maybe Ayala will just pass the buck to Maya? Buck passing or passing the buck is the act of attributing another person or group with responsibility for one’s own actions. It is also used as a strategy in power politics when the actions of one country/nation are blamed on another, providing an opportunity for war.

    The latter expression is said to have originated with the game of poker, in which a marker or counter (frequently in frontier days, a knife with a buckhorn handle), was used to indicate the person whose turn it was to deal. If the player did not wish to deal he could pass the responsibility by passing the “buck,” as the counter came to be called, to the next player.

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  6. Mary and Godiva represent everything that is wrong with the Bridgeport DTC. They overlook the fact Finch is a buffoon and he hired dozens of unqualified political cronies. Then they admit right here on OIB Mario does indeed run the City and we should all “fall back in line.”

    Thank you, girls, for the reminder of what we are fighting against. Your tell-all posts have energized the MJ folks even more. We will no longer allow Mario to run this city into the ground. It is over, girls. Don’t buy those $3,000 pair of shoes just yet.

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    1. Mark Anastasi must’ve attended law school with the attorneys who bent and twisted the laws of the United States in order to create a “legal” justification for the use of torture.

      There’s something wrong with this. If Ms. Foster’s name is kept off the ballot there will undoubtedly be marches and protests. I’ll be on the front lines. Bill Finch is not going to disenfranchise the people from voting for the candidate of their choice.

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  7. yahooy, ya think?

    Instead of lowering yourself KID, and you are, get involved and do something about it. Playing into their hands and you are acting like a fool. No?

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  8. KID,
    Don’t fall for the goading. You are better than they are. Dial your frustration back a notch and keep your postings to a high level of dignity. People respect what you write, but not when you are antagonized by these desperate sycophants who will do anything to keep their jobs. Pity, isn’t it? I wonder what these incompetent slugs will do to earn a living after they are summarily and permanently driven from city hall.

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    1. You guys are right. I was having some fun with their antics, though. The shoes? Oh please, don’t talk about Louboutin shoes. They’re red and I have a savage wit …

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    2. yahooy–Nobody attempted to bait the person whom you are defending, he took it upon himself to vent his hostility as seems to be his pattern when he doesn’t agree with other people’s opinions. I’ve read your previous postings and you are seemingly rational. How is it you can defend his constant vile postings, sexual innuendos and libelous comments? My political viewpoints may differ from yours and others, but I would not stoop below sea level to call people whores or any other derogatory names because of it. Instead of condoning his behavior, you should consider advising him to clean up his act. This verbal diarrhea is coming from a person who seems to feel he is an expert in everything from law to psychiatry. He doesn’t appear to even have a job since the caustic postings start in the morning and continue all day and night. Either that or he has free access to use his employer’s computer instead of doing his job. If you read back and assess the suboptimal content of his comments and critiques, you’ll see for yourself the person who you think has a high level of dignity certainly cannot live up to even minimal standards. And yes, I like Louboutin shoes, why would anyone have a problem with that? And for the record, just because I support Finch, why do you assume I am an incompetent slug or a desperate sycophant? I daresay you are mistaken.

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  9. I took a brief hiatus from blogging here do to censuring issues. But this must be addressed. How can Santa Ayala be more afraid of Mario than federal prison? The laws are explicit, the numbers count/count the numbers. The SEEC will come down on her like the wrath of God. She will try to pass this off to Alma Maya to deny accountability. They all need to realize their horse broke its leg in the last furlong. The race is over. Pick a better horse in the next race. Vote for Foster.

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  10. The names of MJF’s BOE candidates have been kept off the primary ballot. There’s another election in November. Contrary to popular belief it is not merely a coronation for a victor in the primary. There are a number of possible outcomes to the court case. The judge may order BOE candidates be placed on the November ballot. Or he could order the state’s takeover of the BOE be put to a referendum. Judge Agati can’t drag his feet forever.

    It is unfathomable a registrar of voters would even consider violating state and federal law at someone else’s behest. Santa Ayala has not certified Mary-Jane Foster’s petitions as of yet. There are rumors floating around Mario Testa, via City Attorney Mark Anastasi, ordered her to recount and verify the signatures. If that’s true this story is becoming a little dangerous. Is it really necessary for Finch and Testa to retain their hold on power, or is it they have a lot of dirty laundry? If the history of political scandals in America is any guide I’m guessing it’s the latter.

    The media plays a big role in these sorts of things. Remember when the Hartford Courant was publishing all those investigative pieces about John Rowland’s malfeasance in office. His wife went on the attack, accusing the newspaper and the reporters by name of invasion of privacy. He went to prison anyway.

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  11. All of this is a good indication Mario Testa is deathly afraid of losing his grip on power. There must be something more to this story. There’s been a lot of speculation Santa Ayala is under pressure to recount the signatures on the petitions in question. It could be merely a stalling tactic, it could be an attempt to disqualify. I seriously doubt Ms. Ayala would be foolish enough to take the heat for Bill Finch or Mario Testa, even if she owes one of them her livelihood.

    This is the act of a desperate campaign, one that is losing ground hourly.

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  12. Read the law folks:
    Sec. 9-412. Registrar’s receipt and verification of petitions for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or election as town committee members. Filing with clerk. Upon the receipt of any page of a petition proposing a candidacy for a municipal office or for member of a town committee, the registrar shall forthwith sign and give to the person submitting the petition a receipt in duplicate, stating the number of pages filed and the date and time of filing and shall forthwith certify on each such page the number of signers on the page who were enrolled on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, and shall forthwith file such certified page in person or by mail, as described in section 9-140b, with the clerk of the municipality, together with the registrar’s certificate as to the whole number of names on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in such municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, within seven days after receipt of the page.

    Santa is already breaking the law. It will soon be two weeks. Misfeasance or malfeasance in office; again.

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  13. Time for the FBI to examine Santa Ayala. I as a citizen feel my rights are being violated in that the candidate of my choice is being blocked from the ballot by illegal means.

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  14. This again solidifies my reason why I will never everrrrrrrrr vote for Sandi Ayala again. I would vote for ham and cheese if that was on the ballot before I vote for this clown of a registrar of voters. Hell, maybe Caruso was right after all about all these things in 2007. Do not be shook if you hear Sandi Ayala throws away Mary-Jane Foster absentee ballots on primary day this is how low and dirty she will get.

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  15. Does anyone see a conflict of interest here as it pertains to Ayala’s lawyer? She has Paul & Raymond Ganim as her attorneys all the while brother Joe is toying with the idea of running for his old job of mayor as an independent.
    I have another question. When the names were placed on the proper paperwork why were they accepted by Ayala if they had names that should not have been there (i.e. BOE candidates)?
    This is nothing more than Finch and his band of cohorts attempt to steal an election and to take away the rights of the citizens of Bridgeport.
    Do I need to remind Finch and company this is America and you have no right to take democracy from us? Hundreds of thousands have died protecting the constitution. Finch and company think they can take these rights from us anytime they want.
    I have a message for Finch and Company. I will never stop fighting you and the jackels that are with you. Oh yeah one more thing, KISS MY ASS.

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  16. I have not been in the chorus calling for an FBI investigation but I am now. I believe the US Justice department should be called in. When you tamper or take away people’s rights that is a clear violation of people’s rights.
    If the Feds need proof they just need to go back to Finch’s statement about people losing their democratic rights is okay in the short run. We have that again now. We have Santa Ayala a party stooge being advised by a potential mayoral candidate’s brothers not to comment and probably not to certify MJF petitions.
    Ayala is SUPPOSED to be the voting expert and she certified the names submitted by MJF. It was her job to do this before the petitions were given to the candidate. Now that her boss Finch is in trouble because of the MJF challenge suddenly the list of candidates is no good. TIME FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO PUT ALL THESE BUMS IN JAIL.

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  17. Whew! What a long day at work. It is hard for a girl to walk in these heels all day. I read an article in the CT Post that due to a snafu (aka Keystone Cop Campaign Manager Jason Bartlett), MJF’s petitions may be thrown out. What a shame. I was going to line my bird cage with the CT Post, but I am going to place a call to Santa and ask if I can use MJF’s petition papers. Mayor Finch does want us to reduce, reuse and recycle 😉 xoxoxo

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    1. Mary–Yes, of course it’s difficult–not to mention the wear & tear on the shoes! I have to make it a point to purchase a green pair! Have you checked on the status of Jason’s driver’s license? If he can overlook its renewal, then perhaps he also overlooked some factor in the petition process as well.

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    2. Ladies, Ladies, Ladies!!! How ecstatic I am for you that you can afford Laboutin heels!!! I will just walk around in my working-class, Bridgeport resident, property-tax-payin’-working-class-slob Bakers, and wish I was you! Love and kisses, I am so jealous I can’t stand it! Come on girls, you are not better than this?

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    3. Ooops! I think I just threw up a little in my mouth … isn’t that cute! 🙂

      Mary_Choen95, your condescension, incriminating style, and fashion know-how can only lead me to conclude “Finch Nation” really IS a bunch of trash-talking, superficial, money-stealing fairies. I’m glad your feet hurt. Go audition for a part on the Real Housewives of New Jersey because while you are busy prancing around playing “Carrie Bradshaw” in your thousand-dollar heels while ignoring the sad existence of your life, every blister you acquire represents one Bridgeport student who is going without a textbook so your ugly soul could appear pretty to the Bridgeport public you serve, or should I say abuse and neglect? Let me guess … you’re Mrs. Finch … no, the Finchtress! Maybe his mother??? “Finch Nation” must be the sequel to Idiocracy. BTW … you can’t grow plants with Orange Crush. Let’s get real … we are still in America, right? Democracy anyone? Just sayin’. Toodles!

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  18. Please … someone tell us what is wrong with the petitions that the ROV is not certifying them? From reading the statute recited on OIB, she is in violation. If she has been told to do this, she must provide the petitioner with the written legal opinion, she just must! Lennie, please use all of your power to get this out. This is unconstitutional. MJF’s camp should have been told by day seven if there was a problem with her petitions–or sooner, so she would have the time to correct them. This is just plain BAD!

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  19. Just read the CT Post article. MJF has been rejected by ROV. She will be denied a primary spot on the ballot. Finch wins by default. WOW–as Lenny would say, “Only in Bridgeport.”

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    1. Secretary of State Denise Merrill has no standing to issue an opinion on ROV Ayala’s rejection of the petitions. There is undoubtedly case law on the subject that clarifies the murkiness of the statute. I doubt the Foster campaign is going to throw in the towel. Mary-Jane Foster has too much support from a voting public that is tired of the status quo and is demanding a regime change. As Ms. Foster is an attorney and has several other blue-chip attorneys working for her election campaign there ought to be no question this is going to wind up in Superior Court.

      Hold off on purchasing a new pair of shoes, Godiva. It ain’t time to dance just yet.

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