Hearst March 4 2021

From: Hearst's CTPolitics ctpost@mailer.ct.hearstdigitalnews.
com
Subject: 'Election fraud' claim misses the mark
Date: March 4, 2021 at 12:41 PM
To: ctblogger@yahoo.com
March 4, 2021
If you're going to cool your heels on a Meriden sidewalk in early March, let it be
on a sunny, seasonable warm day like yesterday, as I awaited the faintest
glimpse of First Lady Jill Biden amid about 140 people across the street from
an elementary school.
Daffodils were shouldering up through the ground, reminding us that despite

the cancellation of the city's annual Daffodil Festival - in the 'Rona - 600,000 of
the yellow beauties will soon be springing from the ground, up the hill in Ballard
Park.
We were there as the First Lady was paying a courtesy call in Miguel
Cardona's hometown, kicking off his tenure as U.S. Education Secretary.
It seemed like everyone scattered along the block of West Main Street, across
from Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, knew Cardona or his family.
My favorite interview was with Raynia Martinez, an 18-year-old freshman at

My favorite interview was with Raynia Martinez, an 18-year-old freshman at
UConn who came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republican when she was 6.
She spoke no English, and was placed in nearby Hanover School. Cardona,
most recently the state education commissioner, was her third grade principal
at the school, which focused on English as a second language.
Her story made me smile and provided some spring-like hope, which drowned
out the conspiracy theories of the few flag-waving, nonmask-wearing Trump
supporters nearby.
--Ken Dixon
Speed Read
All sides admit that without the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation there
is no deal on sports betting and online casino games.
Wanna prep for the potential expansion of sports betting?
Veronica Del Valle reports on Patricia Billie Miller's jump from the state
House to the Senate after Tuesday's election victory for the Stamford and
Darien district.
Hearst editorial: State must fully fund local payments for tax-exempt
property.
Hearst editorial: Is the troubled CT Lottery Corp. ready to run online
gambling?
Rob Ryser reports on Sandy Hook hoaxer Alex Jones' claims to U.S.
Supreme Court for First Amendment protections, in apparent attempt to
escape defamation lawsuit.
New museum ready to open in time for the State Fish's annual run up the
Connecticut River, Cassandra Day reports.
Leeanne Griffin reports that state restaurants are hoping the patrons start
flowing back for indoor dining.
flowing back for indoor dining.
Ct News Junkie reports that employees want help from the state for
mental health stress.
CT News Junkie: Pedestrian protections set to pass in General
Assembly.
CT News Junkie: CROWN Act, which would protect racial and ethnic hair
styles from discrimination, heads to the governor.
CT Mirror: The difference between public option proposals in the General
Assembly.
CT Mirror: State hasn't begun to deduct wages from non-unionized state
workers for Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
Associated Press: Rumors of more violence, on the anniversary of the
historic March 4 presidential inauguration day, leads to the cancellation
of business in the U.S. House of Representatives.
CT Mirror: Who decides on how to spend federal relief money?
'Election fraud' claim misses by a mile
State Sen. Rob Sampson is arguably the most out-front ultra-conservative in

State Sen. Rob Sampson is arguably the most out-front ultra-conservative in
the General Assembly, Ken Dixon reports.
The veteran Wolcott lawmaker is also the ranking member of the Government
Administration & Elections Committee, where he is tasked with opposing
majority Democrats who, among other things, want to get no-excuse mail-in
ballots for future elections, as well as early voting programs.
Democrats plan to present those propositions to statewide voters as

amendments to the state Constitution in 2022 and 2024.
Sampson and other Republicans have proposed a variety of counter measures

that the GOP throughout the country are pushing that would suppress turnout.
During a recent public hearing, Sampson alleged there was fraud in his own
election.
"It absolutely did happen. I saw several examples in my own election, where
voters contacted me and said they were at the polls, they were attempting to
vote and they were not allowed to vote because their vote had already been
cast," he said during the question period this week with Secretary of the State
Denise Merrill.
"Did you report that to the Elections Enforcement Commission?" Merrill asked.
"I don't know that the proper mechanism," Sampson said. "My RTC chairman
and the registrar of voters are both very aware of what happened. I'm telling
you that I can confirm that happened in several cases that I am personally
aware of."
Later that day he revised his story and told the CT Mirror about one case of
potential fraud.
A day later, the Democratic and Republican voter registrars from the town of
Prospect wrote this to Sampson.
"Dear Senator Sampson,
In response to your allegation of voter fraud, we have reviewed the information

and name given to us by the Republican Town Chairman, as well as the
moderator who was present at the polls. The issue was a “duplicate” issue
which was resolved. There was no absentee ballot involved. She was allowed
to vote at that time. The list was noted to indicate the duplicate so that no one
could vote in her name a second time.
You stated at the hearing that we were aware of absentee ballot fraud. We
were not. The proper course of action would have been to call our office to
clarify any questions. Using the word 'fraud' in a public hearing, without having
the facts, is irresponsible at best.
In the future, if you have any concerns, we welcome the opportunity to clarify
your questions.
Respectfully, Marianne Byrne and Katherine S. Blinstrubas"
Meanwhile, the Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives

Wednesday night approved wide-ranging voting reforms aimed at countering
GOP gerrymandering and such.
POLITICAL TRAINING ATTRACTS NEARLY 200
Nearly 100 Connecticut residents from 28 communities received a certificate

for completing "Representation Matters," a free, intensive, two-day training
session aimed at providing the essential skills needed for more people of color
to run for local public office.
The program was presented by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

(CCM) in conjunction with the Campaign School at Yale University.
In addition, another 85 Connecticut residents from 36 communities completed

the first or second day of the training.
the first or second day of the training.
“This joint, collaborative effort helped foster a more equitable future for local
government in our state,” said Joe DeLong, CCM Executive Director and CEO.
“Connecticut’s local political stable is now teeming with new potential
candidates for public office. Increasing racial diversity and input on town/city
councils and boards and commissions broadens perspectives and ensures
more thorough proposals.”
From Washington
Another year, another gun-safety bill
This week Democratic lawmakers renewed their push

to pass legislation to implement universal background
checks on all gun sales.
U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, D-

Conn., introduced a bill to do ensure even online gun
Conn., introduced a bill to do ensure even online gun
sales get a background check.
“Joe Biden and hundreds of congressional candidates

from both parties ran on the issue of background
checks,” Murphy said. “This is the year to get this bill
passed into law. And this legislation has the chance to
bring this country together – even 85 percent of gun
owners believe in expanding background checks, and
a growing anti-gun violence movement, made up of
both Democrats and Republicans, is demanding
change.”
It’s unclear that the measure can pass the Senate,

where the filibuster means Democrats need 10
Republican votes for a bill to clear that chamber.
Members of President Joe Biden’s staff have been

meeting with gun reform advocates to discuss
legislation and possible executive actions to deal with
gun violence and deaths. Murphy met with Biden’s
Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice last week to
discuss a path forward.
As a senator, Biden helped pass the Brady Bill, which

mandated federal background checks on gun
purchases and instituted a five-day waiting period on
purchases, and the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act, which included a 10-year ban on
assault-style weapons.
Biden helped push for gun reforms after the Sandy

Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, left 20 first
graders and six educators dead in Newtown.
--Emilie Munson
--Emilie Munson
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From: Hearst's CTPolitics ctpost@mailer.ct.hearstdigitalnews.

Daffodils were shouldering up through the ground, reminding us that despite

My favorite interview was with Raynia Martinez, an 18-year-old freshman at

'Election fraud' claim misses by a mile

State Sen. Rob Sampson is arguably the most out-front ultra-conservative in

Democrats plan to present those propositions to statewide voters as

Sampson and other Republicans have proposed a variety of counter measures

In response to your allegation of voter fraud, we have reviewed the information

Respectfully, Marianne Byrne and Katherine S. Blinstrubas"

Meanwhile, the Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives

POLITICAL TRAINING ATTRACTS NEARLY 200

Nearly 100 Connecticut residents from 28 communities received a certificate

The program was presented by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

In addition, another 85 Connecticut residents from 36 communities completed

Another year, another gun-safety bill

This week Democratic lawmakers renewed their push

U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, D-

“Joe Biden and hundreds of congressional candidates

It’s unclear that the measure can pass the Senate,

Members of President Joe Biden’s staff have been

As a senator, Biden helped pass the Brady Bill, which

Biden helped push for gun reforms after the Sandy

We can tell you like ctpolitics

Sign up for more newsletters

To ensure delivery of emails from CTPost.com please add ctpost@mailer.ct.hearstdigitalnews.com

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