Problems at the Polls Trigger Litigation in Tight Governor's Race

by: Chris Stewart

The atmosphere in some Connecticut polling places is not so pretty. In all 26 Hartford polling places, early morning voters faced delays and confusion because voter registration lists were missing. Without the registries, poll workers could not check off the names of individual voters. This is the second straight Connecticut gubernatorial election with difficulties on Election Day.

As a result, Governor Malloy's reelection campaign filed a motion in the Hartford Superior Court to extend polling hours. State Republican Party Chair Jerry Labriola stated that because the problems were resolved this morning, there is no need to extend polling hours. He went on to assert that no one will be disfranchised, and this motion is "an attempt to increase the polling hours and give Democrats more time for shenanigans."

Many expect the margin of victory in this election to be razor thin. According to the latest polls, the governor's race between Democrat Dannel Malloy and Republican Tom Foley is too close to call. In addition to the litigation in Hartford, President Obama weighed in, urging Connecticut voters to return to the polls if they had been turned away earlier. 

The Hartford Superior Court judge ruled after hours of testimony and arguments that two locations in Hartford must stay open for an additional half an hour until 8:30 PM.  Governor Malloy's campaign had requested a one-hour extension at several locations, but based on the testimony, the judge limited the extension to two precincts. Witnesses testified to the problems at the two locations where the judge granted an extension, but there was no eye-witness testimony supporting the claims of delays in the other polling places. The judge based his opinion on Connecticut law, as well as what he referred to as the “inherent power” of the court to preserve constitutional rights.

Finally, the judge issued two informal requests. First, he asked the state to investigate how and why the polling places were not ready for voters in such a well-publicized election. Second, the judge informally requested that the media not report the results from the polling places until after 8:30 PM.