State police investigated what looked like a possible break-in at a ballot storage facility in Fairfield on Thursday night and found that no crime took place.
A recount is planned in the town's first selectman race for next week and the Secretary of the State's Office said after the police investigation was complete that it will go on as scheduled on Tuesday.
State police said the Bridgeport State's Attorney contacted them at 4:50 p.m. Thursday to investigate a suspicious incident at a town-owned building on Mona Terrace in Fairfield, where ballots were being stored in anticipation of a recount on Nov. 14.
In the first selectman race in Fairfield, only 42 votes separated Republican incumbent Brenda Kupchick and Democrat Bill Gerber during Tuesday's election, according to the Secretary of the State.
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State police said there was a report of damage to a rear window screen at the building, which was believed to be the result of a possible burglary, and they were investigating to determine whether a crime took place.
On Friday morning, state police said detectives responded and conducted a thorough investigation at the scene.
They determined that there were no compromised entry points into the building and that the damage to the window screen did not appear to be the result of criminal activity, according to a news release from state police.
Local
The State Elections Enforcement Commission was notified of the incident and elected local officials, Registrars of Voters, members of the Fairfield Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s office were at the scene during the investigation, according to state police.
The Secretary of the State’s Office said Friday that they have been in touch with the Fairfield Judicial District State’s Attorney and the Connecticut State Police on the investigation in Fairfield near the town’s secure ballot storage site and the agencies report no evidence of burglary or compromise of the ballots.
The recount, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 14, for Fairfield’s first selectman will move forward as planned, the Secretary of the State’s Office said.
Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras issued a statement on Friday and thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Connecticut State Police for their swift response and thorough investigation.
“Their commitment to ensuring the integrity of our electoral process is commendable. Following a comprehensive investigation, Connecticut State Police have determined that there were no compromised entry points to the Mona Terrace building. Their findings indicate no evidence of criminal activity related to the reported incident. As highlighted in my Election Day statement, Fairfield has a strong history of well-organized and secure elections. The collaborative efforts of our local and state law enforcement, as well as the involvement of elected officials, Registrars of Voters, and the State's Attorney’s office, underscore our commitment to transparency and the safeguarding of our democratic principles,” the statement says.
“We extend our appreciation to all those involved in this process and look forward to continuing our tradition of fair and secure elections in Fairfield,” Kalamaras said.
