Republican Registrar Of Voters In Fairfield Resigns

FAIRFIELD, CT — Stephen Elworthy, Fairfield's Republican Registrar of Voters for the past six years, resigned Friday after finding it "very difficult to work collaboratively" in the registrar's office, he said. He is replaced by Deputy Republican Registrar Cathy Politi.

"It has been an honor to serve as the Republican Registrar of Voters for these last 6 years and Deputy for years before that," Elworthy said in a statement. "The integrity of our elections process is paramount to our democracy. I have found it very difficult to work collaboratively in the [Registrar of Voters] office and have therefore resigned my position effective Friday. I wish the new Registrar, my current Deputy, Cathy Politi well in her new role."

Elworthy's resignation comes after a flurry of accusations and counter-accusations by Fairfield Democrats, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick and Democratic Registrar of Voters Matt Waggner of impropriety.

A State Elections Enforcement Commission investigation is underway.

"Citing differences with the Democratic Registrar of Voters, Republican Registrar Stephen Elworthy has resigned as Registrar for the Town of Fairfield," Kupchick said in a statement. "I want to thank him for his dedicated service to our community and wish him well in his future endeavors.

"I would also like to congratulate Cathy Politi, formerly the Deputy Republican Registrar of Voters, as the new Republican Registrar. Cathy has been eager to learn and proven to be dedicated to the rule of law and the integrity of our elections."

Patch reached out to Waggner for comment on Elworthy's resignation, but did not immediately receive a reply.

Politi was sworn in to the new role Monday afternoon.

"I am honored to be sworn in as the new Republican Registrar of Voters for the Town of Fairfield," Politi said in a statement. "Since I began as Deputy, I have attended trainings, consulted with other Town Registrars and the Secretary of State's office on a regular basis to ensure all laws are followed. There has been some unfortunate problems in the ROV office but fair and transparent elections are fundamental, and I pledge to continue following the law and reporting any issues that may come up."