The morning after Sandi Ayala won reelection as Democratic registrar of voters, State Rep. Chris Caruso is calling for her resignation following a paper ballot gaffe that caused chaos on Election Day.
“It’s total incompetence that led to the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters,” Caruso says. The Big Wave and his supporters led the pulling operation in the North End for gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy on a day a big-wave turnout hit the city electorate following Barack Obama’s Bridgeport visit on Saturday. Only 21,000 ballots were printed on a day roughly 26,000 had turned out. Caruso says he would also call for the resignation of the Republican Registrar Joe Borges, except Borges decided not to seek reelection and is serving out his final weeks.
A question for Chris Caruso …
Is it routine for the Democratic Registrar to not have any conversation with the head of the Democratic Party, or anyone high up in the Democratic-led administration, when she orders ballots for a race of this magnitude? In other words, did Sandy come up with this figure to order from the Sec of State’s Office … on her own?
Sec. of State Bysiewicz made it clear that it was the Registrar of Voters’ job to provide a ballot for every registered voter plus extra ballots in case there are problems and not Sec. of State.
President Obama did his job to get out the vote when he came to Bridgeport last Saturday to excite voters to vote, and the voters of Bridgeport responded and came out to vote. I’m sure the mayor, the Democratic Town Committee Chairman and the Democratic Registrar of Voters must have all discussed the fact that there would be enough ballots for every Bridgeport voter; if not, then HEADS must roll.
carolanne–This was the joint function of the two Registrars, Democratic and Republican. This, I believe, was the first year that towns and municipalities were charged with the responsibility of ordering their ballots from the state-approved vendor. SuBy is heading for the hills on this one with it’s not my job defense. You guys were all fawning over Santa during the Caruso/Finch court case! I guess it all depends on whose ox is being gored.
Ayala and Borges blew it plain and simple. 70k registered voters and 21k ballots, plus screw-ups. Figures, “Only in Bridgeport!”
Up On Bridgeport // Nov 3, 2010 at 1:57 pm
following up on your posting …
UP ON BRIDGEPORT …
WOW!!! This is the first time the Registrars got to name the number of ballots … unbelievable … and you say that all the other years previously have been a number determined by the Sec of State’s Office …
I can’t help it … this all calls for me to say …
“Surprise! It’s Bridgeport!”
Imagine if Gomer Pyle lived here?
Pure and simple answer, Yes. She and her Republican counterpart are the only ones who know the names that go on several different ballots. I am sure, in fact I know she did not go to the leaders and say I need X amount for this district and X amount for that district. This was a screwup period and to start looking to spread the blame around to others is purely political.
I agree with Chris Caruso. Sandi Ayala must go. It is inconceivable to me that enough ballots weren’t printed for at least half the eligible voters. One person one vote. Another black eye on our city. It will be another lifetime before any elected leader of note stumps in Bridgeport again. Maybe Paul Newman was right about Bridgeport. Two more years of this doofus (Ayala), what a crying shame.
*** Seems the big wave has forgiven but not forgotten his past Mayor’s race dilemma with the registrar’s office & Ms. Ayala. One big happy Bpt Dem. family like always, no? *** SOS ***
Malloy won this election because Bridgeport and Obama voters in Bridgeport came out and voted. Obama is very popular in Bridgeport!!!
*** donj, seems your election predictions were mostly on the money, you must be very satisfied. You deserve an “Obama T-shirt!” *** Which way is up? ***
Do you think Santa and Bill will be having dinner together anytime soon?
Both registrars need to go and we need some new poll workers at Black Rock. We don’t need the guy giving election stickers complaining that he is tired when somebody is asking how to put the ballot at the side of the voting machine the guy with the cowboy hat and boots told him it’s your job you don’t get a break. How you have one person checking names at Black Rock and he was slow as hell. The registrars office more than screwed up they messed with people’s voting rights and they need to be fired. How about getting some professional people working at the polls at Black Rock? Like one guy said yesterday there this is some bullshit!!! And I agree 100% by the way turnout was good but could have been much better if these nuts at the registrars did not mess with people’s rights!!! I saw about 7 people walk out of line at Black Rock school in disgust!!! Lennie do you have Black Rock’s results?
*** No, maybe coffee, not lunch but enough time to ask questions to go through the political policy process for the record. Remember Ms. Ayala was elected to her position not hired by the Mayor! She may not get an endorsment next time around but I really don’t think there’s anything the party can do if they wanted to. Simple public apology to the parties & voters and move on like always! In life, experience is always the best teacher. *** SOS ***
“It will be another lifetime before any elected leader of note stumps in Bridgeport again.”
This negativity is not logical. B’port put Himes and Malloy over the top. The campaign event worked.
Yes, a little too much hyperbole on my part. However, it ain’t over ’til it’s over and this game is far from over. A judge could entertain a motion to conduct a new vote in Bridgeport with a possible, but let’s hope unlikely, result of a smaller turnout and fewer votes for Malloy ergo a victory for Foley.
donj My school had the same problems our checkers were more interested in talking to each other or on the telephone while people were in line.
When you pay $100 for a 15-hour day you are not going to get too many people to work those hours. That’s a little more than $6.00 per hour. It’s time to pay these people a real day’s pay.
*** You get what you pay for, no? From 5am ’til an hour after polls close (for some) & longer for others. Add a large voter turnout & it’s a very long day, however it takes more money to pay & to train on certain procedures if it’s to improve. So what’s in your wallets? *** FORGETABOUTIT ***
Mojo If we can find money for patronage jobs, money for giant-sized recycling containers, money for school patrol cellphones and the list goes on I am sure we can find money to properly train people and to pay them a lot more than $6.00 per hour.
Whoever put her in place, she served her master. In other words, hell you all know.
I am miserable that we had to vote this woman into office. Does that mean we have to impeach her to get rid of her?