RTC chair calls for candidate to withdraw

The fundamental cornerstone of our democracy is voter confidence in the integrity of elections. It must be taken seriously by all citizens and the elected officials who serve the people of the State of Connecticut.

It is very concerning that the Democratic nominee for the 145th house seat, Corey Paris, has allegedly voted in Stamford despite being a resident of Bridgeport. If determined to be true by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, this is a serious violation of the law and strikes at the heart of our democracy.

State law is clear and unambiguous. Connecticut General Statute (CGS) Section 9-12 clearly states “a person shall be deemed to be a bona fide resident of the town to which the citizen applies for admission as an elector if such person’s dwelling unit is located within the geographic boundaries of such town.”

Mr. Paris has acknowledged that he does not dwell in the City of Stamford but intends to do so by April 27 (Advocate Article dated March 28).

Voting records indicate he voted in Stamford in August of 2020, November of 2020 and March of 2021. There is no excuse for this that Mr. Paris can plausibly put forth. He is an educated man who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. When he presented himself at the polls in Stamford, the official checker would have asked for identification demonstrating his dwelling unit was in Stamford.

He obviously was on the Stamford voter registration rolls; otherwise, he could not have voted. If at the time he was living in Bridgeport, he should have registered to vote in Bridgeport and the registrar in Bridgeport, pursuant to CGS Section 9-21, would have notified the Stamford registrars and his name would have been removed from the Stamford voter rolls. If these allegations prove true, Mr. Paris violated CGS Section 9-360 in committing voter fraud, a class D Felony, and, if convicted, he would be disenfranchised.

Mr. Paris should withdraw from the race for the 145th House seat immediately. Until the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the State’s Attorney’s office complete an investigation, it is not fair to the voters of Stamford. The Democratic City Committee should publicly state voter fraud is never condoned and until the state investigation is completed, Mr. Paris should not receive their endorsement.