On February 22, Connecticut filled vacancies in three State Senate seats, and six State House seats. Here are some preliminary results, although they are unofficial and don’t break down the vote by party. Many of the races had candidates who were the nominees of more than one party. When the official results are known, the vote cast on each party line will be known. Check back here for the official results.
The unofficial results for the 126th House district show that three independent candidates each outpolled the Republican nominee. Verna Kearney, one independent, polled 373 votes; another independent, Robert Keeley, polled 191 votes; another independent polled 89 votes; and the Republican nominee, James Keyser, only polled 82.
Another had 89 so it looks like he finished 5th.
http://www.change.org/petitions/equal-ballot-access-for-all-candidates-for-all-offices-in-government-of-the-united-states
Thanks, #1. You’re right. I fixed the post.
Cost per vote — in special elections in the dead of Winter ???
Legislative bodies – candidate/incumbent rank order replacement lists — legislative body fills vacancy if no list.
This appears to be a case where the lack of a primary forced several candidates to run as independents. Kearney, the runnerup, was endorsed by the incumbent who had resigned to take a position in a Democratic administration. But the candidates for the special election were chosen by party officials. Incidentally, I’ve read that the Republican candidate is a registered Libertarian.
The district in Bridgeport is about 50% black, and 25% Puerto Rican in Bridgeport.
The Kearney campaign had demanded to have poll watchers, but were told by the Democratic registrar that state law did not require them (apparently they are limited to political parties). The same registrar (Sandi Ayala) after the 2010 gubernatorial election had explained the reason for insufficient ballots was because “they cost a lot of money”.
Again, a small but truthful example of how the label “Independent” relates with voters and does not scare them off like some 3rd party labels do.