June 11, 2024 – After Bridgeport’s 2019 mayoral primary, Bridgeport Generation Now Votes and PT Partners worked tirelessly together and uncovered significant violations in the absentee ballot process, which raised serious doubts as to the integrity of the election results.

We then organized to bring that evidence to trial. The “Lazar v. Ganim” lawsuit represented the first time in Connecticut’s history that voters challenged the results of an election. Evidence presented in court exposed serious voter fraud, manipulation, and abuse in connection with absentee ballots.

The evidence, which was compiled into a complaint to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, proved what Bridgeport voters have known for decades: Bridgeport’s local democracy is broken by the very people we trust to uphold it.

Today, almost 5 years later, the voters of Bridgeport are finally able to see a level of accountability. The arrests of Wanda Geter-Pataky, Vice-Chair of Bridgeport’s Democratic Town Committee, and Alfredo Castillo, City Councilman in the 136th District, on charges related to election fraud, represent a measure of justice that the people of Bridgeport have been painstakingly waiting for.

June 12, 2024 – At the end of the 2019 “Lazar v. Ganim” trial, Judge Barry Stevens said the plaintiffs – Beth Lazar, Vanessa Liles, and Annette Goodridge (three Bridgeport voters) – were successful in identifying serious election-related crimes. The crimes had been uncovered through a 6-day canvass, organized by Bridgeport Generation Now Votes and PT Partners.

What we learned during that canvass and the subsequent trial is that these election crimes are part of a system: A system that was built by and for white people in Bridgeport to hold onto consolidated political power, in the face of a rapidly diversifying city. It’s no secret that absentee ballot abuse has been an issue in Bridgeport for decades. The question is – who designed it, who trained people to do it, and who continues to benefit politically from it?

Friday, November 10th, 2023 | We know the dust is still settling on Tuesday’s chaotic mayoral election, but today we are celebrating! On Tues., November 7th, 6 out of 8 of the candidates who pledged to The People’s Platform and received the Unrig Bridgeport endorsement won their elections! Congratulations to Tyler Mack, Aikeem Boyd, Fred Hodges, Aidee Nieves, Maria Valle, and Albert Benejan!* While Tammy Roseboro and JoAnn Kennedy did not win their elections, they showed great courage and determination in stepping up to run. Coming right on the heels of our 2021 wins, Tuesday’s results are another strong showing and continue to demonstrate the power of our collective organizing.

Every eligible Bridgeport voter, be they Democrats, Republicans, Independents or Unaffiliated must have the opportunity to vote on Feb. 27 in the general election for mayor. It’s the American way.

Political operatives working on behalf of the local Democratic Party break election laws and target and manipulate some of our most vulnerable voters, all for the purpose of controlling the outcomes of our local elections.

There is a terrifying thing happening in Bridgeport, election after election, as well as in our country and across the world. Criminal strongmen and women, who are caught “red-handed,” are being rewarded for their crimes rather than being punished. And the people who speak up, speak out and tell the truth are the ones being vilified. There seems to be a growing hunger for fascism. And the everyday voter is left feeling scared and confused.