The registrars argued that the city charter doesn't give the city council authority to remove them.
A state court judge ruled Tuesday that Hartford's city council does not have the authority to remove its registrars of voters, and the decision comes on the same day that the city council was set to begin its proceedings.
Everyone agrees that the 2014 election in Hartford was a mess. Polls didn't open in time, accurate vote tallies couldn't be gotten, and the city just looked bad. In an effort to correct the situation, Council President Shawn Wooden spearheaded an effort to remove the three duly-elected registrars from office -- saying they were the reason the election had gone so poorly.
But the registrars pushed back, all the way to state court. They argued that the city charter doesn't give the council the authority it said it had.
Superior Court Judge Constance Epstein agreed.
"A victory today for the registrar of voters," said Corey Brinson, the attorney for Republican Registrar Sheila Hall, speaking outside the courthouse after the decision (pictured at top). "What happened on election day is something that will be sorted out, but it should be left to the voters to decide what happens to the registrars and it's not something that the city council had the authority or the power to do."
Richard Padykula is an attorney for Democratic Registrar Olga Vazquez.
"This is a victory not only for Registrar Vazquez but also a victory for the electorate that voted for her," Padykula said. "Today, the court ruled that when people walk into a voting booth, their vote counts, and it can't be arbitrarily removed by the power of a city council."
Ross Garber is the city's lawyer. "Yes, there is a right to appeal," he said. "We're going to discuss it and figure out what the next steps are."
Urania Petit is the registrar for the Working Families Party. Her attorney withdrew her complaint just before the hearing began. He referred questions to his client, who could not be reached.
UPDATE: Here's a statement from the city council. Urania Petit has resigned, and issued a statement through her attorney.
"We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure that all residents of Hartford are able to vote and that those votes are counted. We disagree with the judge’s decision and are evaluating our options. Furthermore, Urania Petit has withdrawn her lawsuit and submitted her resignation as part of a negotiated settlement with the City, subject to City Council approval."
Mayor Pedro Segarra said, "The decision is disappointing but I will continue to work with City Council to explore all options that protect Hartford’s voters."
YET ANOTHER UPDATE: Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has weighed in on the court's ruling, too.
“Yesterday’s Superior Court decision underscores the need for more accountability in Connecticut’s election system. My office is focusing on a legislative initiative that will finally address that issue—not just for those cities and towns whose problems are covered in the news, like Hartford, Bridgeport or Fairfield—but for all of Connecticut. The comprehensive reform bill approved by the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee last month, reflecting an agreement between my office and the registrars, includes a removal provision. Yesterday’s decision confirms that removal is an important and necessary provision in that bill which I hope both chambers of the General Assembly will be taking up in the weeks ahead. I will watch to see what the City of Hartford decides to do in light of yesterday’s decision.”
