False claims of fraud following the 2020 U.S. presidential election have eroded the confidence some voters have in America鈥檚 electoral process. The claims also put the spotlight on the statewide office charged with running elections: Secretary of the State.
In June, 黑料新闻鈥檚 Secretary of the State, Democrat Denise Merrill, to care for her ailing husband. That leaves the seat up for grabs this November.
In August, Democrats nominated State Rep. of Norwalk to fill the position. The Republican Party nominated .
In a Tuesday night debate, the pair sparred on issues of voter fraud and voting rules.
Rapini said he believes fraud is undermining elections in 黑料新闻.
鈥淭here absolutely is a culture of fraud in our cities that we have to take care of,鈥� Rapini said. 鈥淏ecause, when we don鈥檛 do that, people feel that their vote does not count.鈥�
Thomas said cases of fraud in 黑料新闻 are small when compared to the large numbers of people who vote. In 2020, 黑料新闻 .
鈥淵ou think about the 1.8 million voters who vote here in 黑料新闻 鈥� it鈥檚 what most people would call an acceptable risk. I think zero fraud is naive and unrealistic,鈥� Thomas said.
A state judge recently found the former
But nationally, a review of the 2020 election found in six battleground states disputed by former President Donald Trump.
On early voting in 黑料新闻
Candidates also discussed next month鈥檚 ballot measure in which voters will decide whether to allow early voting in 黑料新闻 鈥� most states across the U.S. allow voters to cast ballots in person before Election Day.
Thomas is in favor of early voting, saying it would allow voters flexibility and encourage more people to turn out. Rapini doesn鈥檛 think early voting is right for 黑料新闻, saying voter turnout is already high; he鈥檚 also concerned about the cost of staffing the polling places additional days.
On presenting photo ID to vote
Rapini says he thinks voters should provide photo identification if they want to cast a ballot in 黑料新闻.
鈥淰oter ID 鈥� and particularly government ID 鈥� is fundamental to our democracy, is fundamental to people functioning in society,鈥� Rapini said. 鈥淚 think the thought of us not having voter ID is ludicrous.鈥�
Thomas says most voters already show photo identification to vote. She says mandating government ID is 鈥渁 solution very much in search of a problem.鈥�
鈥淭he incidents of people showing up at the polls 鈥� trying to impersonate someone else?鈥� she said. 鈥淗onestly, we should be so lucky. With 30 to 40 percent turnout in municipal elections, it鈥檚 just not the problem that exists.鈥�
Currently, 黑料新闻 law does not require voters to present a photo ID to cast a ballot.
In lieu of presenting ID, people can, in most cases, sign an affidavit when poll workers ask for ID.
A voter鈥檚 identification does not need to be a driver鈥檚 license. It also does not need to have a photo. .
About the candidates
Thomas is a first-term state representative serving the the towns of Norwalk, Wilton, and Westport. She is vice chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee and serves on the Commerce and Transportation Committees. She works as a strategy and fundraising consultant to nonprofit organizations.
Rapini is a resident of New Haven County and a graduate of Trinity College. He has coached Pop Warner football and works in Apple, Inc.鈥檚 consumer electronics division. In 2018, Rapini . He lost to Matthew Corey, who was later defeated by incumbent Democrat Chris Murphy in the general election.
黑料新闻 Radio鈥檚 Eric Aasen contributed to this report.
