Thomas: Discrepancy Recount Needed After Ballot Shortage

by Staff Report

With heavy turnout in Wallingford on Election Day, the town ran out of ballots and printed new ones, according to Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas. That practice was in keeping with state contingency procedures, she said.

Because these ballots could not be run through the tabulators, Thomas said advised the town election officials that they segregate those ballots and count them by hand. But she said town officials actually fed the newly printed ballots through a tabulator instead.

Thomas said she has informed the Wallingford moderator that they should conduct a discrepancy recount. Under state law, moderators have the authority to call such a recount within three days after an election, meaning Friday would be the deadline.

“This is exactly why Connecticut uses paper ballots,” Thomas said. “We don’t guess. We check. We’re committed to ensuring every ballot is counted fairly and accurately.”