House Republican Press Release

October 20, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Sen. Freedman & Rep. Hetherington Call On Legislative Committee To Focus On ACORN

Ranking Members of Government Administration & Elections Committee Ask Chairs to Hold Hearing

Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26) and Representative John Hetherington (R-125) have formally asked the co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Government Administration & Elections Committee (GAE) to hold an informational public hearing to “review possible voter registration irregularities in Connecticut.”

            The two legislators, ranking members of the GAE Committee, wrote to committee co-chairs, Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-14) and Representative Christopher Caruso (D-126) on October 15^th, and requested a response by October 22^nd.

             “Just the fact that there are troubling media reports about ACORN’s activities in this state and elsewhere, especially so close to Election Day, is cause for concern. That our Elections Enforcement Commission is investigating complaints in this state is certainly reason enough for GAE to become involved. With Election Day just two weeks away, it is important that the committee call an informational public hearing as soon as possible,” said Senator Freedman.

“Holding an informational public hearing now, before Election Day, would give ACORN, town clerks, registrars of voters and any person who believes his or her name may have been used for fraudulent voter registration to address these issues. The importance of being able to assure the public that Connecticut’s voter registration rolls are accurate cannot be overstated. If there is reason to be concerned, then the voters need to know that our elections officials are doing everything in their power to correct any problems before Election Day,” said Representative Hetherington.

            The two legislators said they have not yet received a response from the GAE Committee co-chairs.