Actually, Mike CT does have its own FOI Commission and laws, and since the records FOI’d include federal races (senate and US Congress), I suppose it would be possible to use federal FOI rules, as well.
Here’s the link to CT’s FOI Commission website with all the details on the statute, FAQs, and how to’s:
Gee, Mike, the last time a “3rd party” candidate won a major office in CT, it had no effect whatever on how elections are run. At this time, 3rd party candidates are generally a fluke and don’t do well.
Lieberman was an exception because he was an incumbent for so many years and the Republicans didn’t put up an effective candidate. But a more common experience is people vote for one of the major party candidates.
Funny how these things bring out people claiming it is a waste of time, when all that is being requested is public information that simply should have been put on the Internet immediately in the first place. But the next time a “3rd party” wins a major office, people will suddenly take an interest in how elections are run. It would be better to begin now, to insure we don’t get completely to the point where the government elects itself.
On another note, I think the state GOP made a mistake in invoking FOIA, which only applies to U.S. government records.
This is basically a vote of no confidence by the top party officials in the Republican’s own elected registrars in 169 towns across the state. I am sad for the Republican Registrars. I know how hard they work. One would be hard pressed to find an area of CT government where the system of checks and balances is as written in stone and adhered to as between Registrars of Voters. Are those requesting this ignorant of the strict constraints under which Registrar of Voters’ offices operate? Do they have any inkling about what their request says about 169 or so of their own elected officials?
Many of the documents become available 14 days following the election. At standard FOI copying rates, this document request would cost the GOP probably 50 to 60 thousand dollars — possibly up to twice that, given the broad scope of the request. (For example, a ballot log is a part of the moderator’s return — do they want two copies? A moderator’s log — assuming that’s what they are seeking when they ask for moderator’s memoranda — is often a single book with additional entries recorded every year, and copying that book could be hundreds of pages for an entire town.)
Registrars can charge $.50 per page plus work time collecting and copying same under FOI. Since the Republicans are requesting Voter lists used at the polls for cross-off, that’s hundreds of pages per town. Let’s see how many towns charge the allowable fee. The Republicans seem to have a bottomless pocket when it comes to attacking Democrats. LET THEM PAY
Ballot messes not only happened in Bridgeport but across the state. The only way to restore the integrity of the election is to examine every ballot. If after doing so Malloy and the dems are the winners so be it, the people have spoken. As a state, we need to know if democrats, SEIU or anyone else interfered with the election. This is not an issue of right or left but of right and wrong. Everyone should be in favor of legitimate election results.
Talk about wasting money. This is a ridiculous and completely unjustified expense. If there are questions about Bridgeport’s process, get the info from Bridgeport. But getting a complete list of every absentee ballot request and spoiled ballots from every town in the state is pure stirring the pot. To what end?
Yes, the Bridgeport registrars made a mistake. It was a stupid mistake. But it probably cost Malloy more votes than he might have gained, and there is no indication whatever of any attempted fraud.
Foley lost. It was close, but he lost. Why must they drag out everything and bring every issue to court? No wonder GOP lost every major seat in CT this year, what is Chris Healy doing? He is reckless and desperate.
What a bunch of losers. I’m withdrawing my support next year for the CT GOP based on the ridiculous waste of time and money that they have evidenced here. Absolute insanity.
[…] the Republican Party has made Freedom of Information requests to all 169 Connecticut cities and towns in anticipation of a possible statewide […]
@9 – Mike LaBonte 5:41 pm
Actually, Mike CT does have its own FOI Commission and laws, and since the records FOI’d include federal races (senate and US Congress), I suppose it would be possible to use federal FOI rules, as well.
Here’s the link to CT’s FOI Commission website with all the details on the statute, FAQs, and how to’s:
http://www.state.ct.us/foi/
Gee, Mike, the last time a “3rd party” candidate won a major office in CT, it had no effect whatever on how elections are run. At this time, 3rd party candidates are generally a fluke and don’t do well.
Lieberman was an exception because he was an incumbent for so many years and the Republicans didn’t put up an effective candidate. But a more common experience is people vote for one of the major party candidates.
Mike, there is a CT Freedom of Information Act. It’s Title 1, Chapter 14 of the CT Statutes.
Funny how these things bring out people claiming it is a waste of time, when all that is being requested is public information that simply should have been put on the Internet immediately in the first place. But the next time a “3rd party” wins a major office, people will suddenly take an interest in how elections are run. It would be better to begin now, to insure we don’t get completely to the point where the government elects itself.
On another note, I think the state GOP made a mistake in invoking FOIA, which only applies to U.S. government records.
This is basically a vote of no confidence by the top party officials in the Republican’s own elected registrars in 169 towns across the state. I am sad for the Republican Registrars. I know how hard they work. One would be hard pressed to find an area of CT government where the system of checks and balances is as written in stone and adhered to as between Registrars of Voters. Are those requesting this ignorant of the strict constraints under which Registrar of Voters’ offices operate? Do they have any inkling about what their request says about 169 or so of their own elected officials?
Many of the documents become available 14 days following the election. At standard FOI copying rates, this document request would cost the GOP probably 50 to 60 thousand dollars — possibly up to twice that, given the broad scope of the request. (For example, a ballot log is a part of the moderator’s return — do they want two copies? A moderator’s log — assuming that’s what they are seeking when they ask for moderator’s memoranda — is often a single book with additional entries recorded every year, and copying that book could be hundreds of pages for an entire town.)
Registrars can charge $.50 per page plus work time collecting and copying same under FOI. Since the Republicans are requesting Voter lists used at the polls for cross-off, that’s hundreds of pages per town. Let’s see how many towns charge the allowable fee. The Republicans seem to have a bottomless pocket when it comes to attacking Democrats. LET THEM PAY
Ballot messes not only happened in Bridgeport but across the state. The only way to restore the integrity of the election is to examine every ballot. If after doing so Malloy and the dems are the winners so be it, the people have spoken. As a state, we need to know if democrats, SEIU or anyone else interfered with the election. This is not an issue of right or left but of right and wrong. Everyone should be in favor of legitimate election results.
Talk about wasting money. This is a ridiculous and completely unjustified expense. If there are questions about Bridgeport’s process, get the info from Bridgeport. But getting a complete list of every absentee ballot request and spoiled ballots from every town in the state is pure stirring the pot. To what end?
Yes, the Bridgeport registrars made a mistake. It was a stupid mistake. But it probably cost Malloy more votes than he might have gained, and there is no indication whatever of any attempted fraud.
I’d rather them make sure the counts correct. Didn’t Bridgeport only order 20k ballots when it has 69k registered voters???
Foley lost. It was close, but he lost. Why must they drag out everything and bring every issue to court? No wonder GOP lost every major seat in CT this year, what is Chris Healy doing? He is reckless and desperate.
What a bunch of losers. I’m withdrawing my support next year for the CT GOP based on the ridiculous waste of time and money that they have evidenced here. Absolute insanity.