A new state law that goes into effect on July 1 requires every municipality to install continuous-recording video surveillance cameras on all official absentee-ballot drop boxes and to retain the footage for at least 12 months. The recordings must be made available to the public within five business days upon request.
Democratic and Republican state lawmakers said one of the reasons behind the law is to restore the public’s confidence in elections following alleged absentee-ballot tampering during Bridgeport’s 2023 Democratic mayoral primary.
State Senator Tony Hwang (R-28th)—who represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, and Bethel—co-sponsored House Bill 5498, the legislation that contains the surveillance mandate.
Easton officials say the town won’t have a problem compiling with the law. Rep. Ann Hughes (D-135), who represents Easton, Redding and Weston and voted for the measure, noted that the town’s only ballot drops box, located across the street from the Police Department entrance to Town Hall, is already covered by an existing security camera facing the library.
The statute provides no state funding for those municipalities that will need to purchase and install new cameras. “For some, it’s a lot of extra work and additional costs,” said Betsy Gara, executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns. “I understand the importance of protecting the integrity of the election process, but the state should provide funding.”
Easton Democratic Registrar Dave Smith said the town has not experienced ballot fraud issues. “We are very fortunate we have not had any problems in any elections here in Easton” he said. “We keep a close watch and things go very smoothly.”
Town Clerk Debbie Szegedi added that Easton already follows the other provisions of the law, including the requirement that clerks track every ballot in the statewide voter registration database.
