FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut State Police said Friday that damage to a window screen at a ballot storage facility in Fairfield Thursday night does not appear to be related to any criminal activity.
Fairfield Police Chief Robert Kalamaras said the town’s attorneys informed him of a possible break-in at 100 Mona Terrace. The town owns the facility and contains the physical ballots for the town’s Nov. 7 municipal election.
Kalamaras said he immediately notified the Fairfield State’s Attorney’s Office because the ballots were being stored ahead of a recount for the first selectman in town scheduled for Nov. 14.
“I felt it was the prudent course of action for the Connecticut State Police and State’s Attorney to
investigate this matter,” Kalamaras said in a statement Thursday. “On behalf of the Fairfield Police Department, I wish to thank and acknowledge State’s Attorney Corradino and our State Police for their immediate attention and response.”
State police said Friday that investigators determined that there were no compromised entry points to the building and that the damage to the window screen did not appear to be the result of any criminal activity.
State police also notified the State Elections Enforcement Commission of the incident, and elected local officials, Registrars of Voters, members of the Fairfield Police Department, and the State’s Attorney’s Office were present for the investigation.
The Office of the Secretary of the State confirmed Friday that the Nov. 14 recount will proceed as planned.
“I am grateful the state police were able to work quickly to alleviate any concerns over the security of our ballots and am confident in the integrity of Tuesday’s recount,” Republican incumbent candidate Brenda Kupchick said in a statement.
Democratic candidate Bill Gerber also released a statement following the investigation, saying in part, “I am also relieved that state’s attorney has formally concluded that there was no tampering of ballots or breach to the storage facility.”
Stay with News 8 for updates.