Voter Registration Tampering Scandal Unfolds In Connecticut

Voter registration table with forms, pens, and brochures.

A Connecticut state employee has been arrested for allegedly altering voter registration cards, changing political affiliations from Republican or unaffiliated to Democrat before an election.

Key Takeaways

  • Arlanda Brantley, a 57-year-old employee of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, is accused of voter registration fraud in Torrington, Connecticut.
  • Brantley allegedly changed party affiliations on several voter registration cards from “No” or “Republican” to “Democrat” after a national voting event.
  • The suspect faces five counts of fraudulent registration and five counts of primary or enrollment violations.
  • This case adds to broader concerns about voter fraud in Connecticut, including recent incidents in Bridgeport involving Democratic officials.
  • The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has placed the employee on administrative leave, stating such behavior is not tolerated.

State Employee Charged with Voter Registration Fraud

In a disturbing case of alleged voter registration fraud, Arlanda Brantley, a 57-year-old employee of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has been arrested and charged with tampering with voter registration cards. The incident, which occurred in Torrington, has sent shockwaves through the state’s electoral system and raised serious questions about the integrity of the voter registration process.

According to reports, Brantley is accused of altering several voter registration cards, changing the party affiliation from “No” or “Republican” to “Democrat.” The fraudulent activity allegedly took place following a national voting event at the Western CT Mental Health Network, where Brantley was employed.

Investigation and Arrest

The investigation into this case of voter fraud began in October 2024 after a complaint was filed with the authorities. The altered registration cards were submitted to the Registrar of Voters clerk in Torrington, where the discrepancies were discovered upon inspection. This prompt action by the clerk’s office prevented the fraudulent registrations from potentially impacting an upcoming election.

Following a thorough investigation by both the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the Torrington Police Department, an arrest warrant was issued for Brantley. The suspect turned herself in to the authorities and now faces serious charges, including five counts of fraudulent registration and five counts of primary or enrollment violations. Brantley was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 10.

Broader Implications for Connecticut’s Electoral Integrity

This case of alleged voter registration fraud in Torrington is not an isolated incident in Connecticut. It comes amidst a series of election-related controversies that have plagued the state, particularly in Bridgeport. Recent allegations in Bridgeport include a councilman and a Democratic Party vice chairwoman accused of election-related misconduct, further eroding public trust in the electoral process.

Republican state Representative Joe Canino has strongly condemned the actions in Torrington and called for enhanced election security measures. The repeated instances of alleged voter fraud have sparked a heated debate about the need for stricter oversight and more robust safeguards to protect the integrity of Connecticut’s elections.

As this case proceeds through the legal system, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in our voter registration processes. It underscores the critical importance of vigilance and the need for stringent checks and balances to ensure that every vote is counted accurately and that the democratic process remains untainted by fraud or manipulation.

Sources:

  1. https://www.yahoo.com/news/state-employee-charged-voter-registration-205346266.html
  2. https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/litchfield-county/torrington/ct-state-employee-charges-voter-registration-fraud-in-torrington/520-5ed8e234-4ec7-4dcd-9c8f-4e07cd7de953
  3. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/dmhas-employee-accused-of-altering-voter-registration-cards/3485000/
  4. https://www.theblaze.com/news/state-mental-health-employee-accused-of-changing-voter-registrations-to-democrat