Election complaints focused on Riverside Park vote

New London - Days after a historic election gripped much of the city and the region, a group of residents gathered Sunday afternoon to document alleged violations of state election laws.

About 25 people filled several tables at the Portuguese Fisherman Restaurant on Williams Street. Many shared their concerns about the election process in the city and filled out complaints that will be filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Of the alleged violations, many centered on the referendum question that dealt with the sale of part of Riverside Park to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

The sale passed by 13 votes - 2,117 to 2,104 - and there will be a recount Wednesday. Many that gathered Sunday said the outcome may have been affected by postcards, advertisements and political signs that violated election laws.

"It was so close and all these funny little things add up to the difference," said Bob Stuller, who wore a green "Save Riverside Park" T-shirt to the Sunday event. "(Filing the complaints) will at least get some accountability. The people responsible need to be named publicly."

Several people alleged Sunday that unattributed postcards were mailed to potential voters urging them to support the Riverside sale.

Many argued that under state election law, the source of the postcards should have been clear. Some also suggested the Coast Guard Academy may have been involved in the postcards.

Others questioned the validity of some absentee ballots. And many also argued that the referendum question concerning the Riverside sale was difficult to find on the ballot.

Ruth Sussler argued this latter point. She said a poll worker at her polling station, the Nathan Hale School, reminded her to answer the referendum question, but she said it was difficult to find.

Sussler also used the term "fear mongering" to describe the political propaganda that insinuated the Coast Guard Academy would leave New London if voters turned down the Riverside sale.

"I'm very concerned about the way this was handled and the folks who implied that would be a result," Sussler said.

Andrew Lockwood, a mayoral candidate who was bested by Daryl Justin Finizio in the election, said at Sunday's event that he and others will have a meeting today with officials from the SEEC. He said the group had about 50 complaints to deliver.

A handful of people who attended Sunday's event said they hoped the Riverside sale would go to another referendum. But filing a complaint was also a way to bring attention to the election process.

"These complaints transcend the results," said Ronna Stuller, a leading voice in the Friends of Riverside group and an unsuccessful candidate for the Board of Education. "There were a lot of irregularities in campaigning and the election. I don't want to see that happen again."

jeff.johnson@theday.com