Bridgeport, Connecticut, is in turmoil after Superior Court Judge William Clark ruled to overturn the 2023 Democratic mayoral primary election, where incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim had initially emerged victorious over challenger John Gomes. This decision, based on security footage revealing alleged ballot tampering with multiple absentee forms, arrives merely six days before the city’s general election.
In a scathing 37-page ruling, Judge Clark pointed out extensive mishandling of ballots, casting a shadow of doubt over the legitimacy of the primary results. The judge found the video evidence presented by John Gomes’s attorney, Bill Bloss, deeply concerning.
While an appeal of the decision remains possible, the intentions of city officials in this regard remain uncertain. The upcoming general election will continue as scheduled, featuring Joe Ganim as the Democratic nominee and John Gomes running as an independent candidate.
John Gomes, a former chief administrative officer of the city, celebrated the court’s ruling as a victory for Bridgeport’s residents. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process, a sentiment endorsed by Judge William Clark.
Connecticut law classifies the possession of someone else’s ballot as a state felony, except when acting as a “designee” for that person. Individuals requesting more than five absentee ballots are mandated to report to the town clerk, disclosing the recipients’ names. Violators may face fines of up to $7,000 and sentences of up to five years in prison.
This case highlights the growing concerns about election integrity, particularly following the 2020 presidential election and allegations of fraud and ballot tampering. Nevertheless, it is vital to note that there has been no substantiated evidence of widespread election fraud impacting the 2020 presidential election results.
The court’s decision orders city and state officials to collaborate on scheduling the new primary election rather than specifying a date. If the new primary is conducted, it is anticipated to take place in December if Joe Ganim or another mayoral candidate prevails in the general election. If John Gomes wins the general election, the new primary may be canceled.
Bill Bloss, John Gomes’s attorney, underscores the need for election process reforms in Bridgeport, including enhancements in the application process, signature verification, and vigilance concerning individuals returning absentee ballots on behalf of voters via drop boxes or mail. While not directly responsible for further investigation, Bloss suggested that the state may pursue criminal charges against those implicated in the alleged fraud, including Wanda Geter-Pataky and Eneida Martinez.

In this video that surfaced on social media platform X, Wanda Geter-Pataky, the vice chair of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee and operations specialist for the city, and Eneida Martinez, a former City Council member, were seen stuffing ballot drop boxes.

Such is the state of an election in a developed country, a superpower that is the United States. In Bharat, the idea for the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was first conceived in 1977, and it was put to use in 1982. Contrastingly, the US is still voting with paper ballots.