As polls forecast steep November losses for Republicans nationwide, Connecticut’s top elections official, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, says voters are “confused” and “scared” based on the Trump Administration’s threats to the voting process.
Voters are telling her they’re concerned President Trump will interfere with their mail-in ballots, try to intimidate voters at the polls or even try to cancel November’s elections.
“The number one question I get when I’m out and about,” says Thomas, “is, ‘Will we have an election?” to which her unequivocal answer is, “yes.”
Voters’ latest concern is a CNN report that Homeland Security is targeting 9 states, including Connecticut, with stepped-up investigations of rare voter fraud. Thomas is concerned that federal pressure could be wielded to disenfranchise legitimate voters.
“The U.S. Department of Justice’s own manual recognizes, quote, ‘Overt investigative steps involving alleged ballot fraud can chill legitimate voting,’” says Thomas.
Saying that Connecticut already investigates credible allegations of election law violations, Thomas adds that her department has not been contacted by Homeland Security about any plans to start its own probe.
Thomas has testified previously that Connecticut’s elections are secure. She says state officials are developing plans to respond to all scenarios potentially presented by a federal administration that observers say is desperately trying to cling to power.
A Homeland Security spokesperson told CNN, “While ICE Homeland Security Investigations is not able to comment on any active investigations, HSI is actively rooting out and investigating election fraud wherever it can be found. Under President Trump, HSI is committed to restoring integrity to our election systems and ensuring that American citizens and only American citizens are electing American leaders.”
Thomas is also facing so many questions about mail-in voting, considering court cases around the issue and the president’s effort to suppress the widely-and-safely used procedure, that she’s had to convince some election workers that there are no changes affecting Connecticut.
Thomas is advising voters with concerns to contact her office or their town registrars. Voters interested in receiving election alerts from her department can text VOTE to (860) 321-4221.
“Chaos does not make any system stronger,” says Thomas. “So as long as I’m in this office, I will always try to convert chaos to calm.”
