Calls For Norwalk Official To Resign After Comments Deemed Racist

NORWALK, CT — Following recent comments on Facebook, comments called racist by many, Norwalk's Republican Registrar of Voters Karen Doyle Lyons is being asked to resign by Mayor Harry Rilling, state Sen. Bob Duff and others.

In a Facebook exchange last week, Lyons argued that there should not be a Black History Month because "many of us know more then [sic] many Blacks." The exchange was first reported by the website NancyonNorwalk.com.

Lyons reportedly claims that the remark was taken out of context, and that she was trying to say that Black history should be taught year-round, not just during one month.

Patch reached out to Lyons for a comment but did not immediately receive a reply. As of Monday, she has not resigned.

In strongly worded statements sent to Patch, both Rilling and Duff, said Lyons should step down immediately. The two are Democrats; Duff also serves as majority leader in the state Senate.

Rilling's statement:

"I condemn the comments made recently by Registrar of Voters Karen Doyle Lyons on Facebook. They were ignorant, hurtful, and racist. I was disgusted by her comments and immediately contacted the Chair of the RTC and asked for her resignation. I was relieved when she submitted a letter of resignation. Ms. Doyle Lyons is now apparently trying to rescind that letter of resignation. As an elected official, she cannot be terminated from her job at the City of Norwalk, and we are evaluating our legal options.

"Ms. Doyle Lyons serves as an elected official, and it is clear she is not representing the Norwalk community. I spoke to Secretary of State Merrill last week and raised my concerns about having Ms. Doyle Lyons remain as Registrar. I know her office is reviewing this matter and her conduct.

"Free and fair elections are the foundation of our country’s democracy. All registered voters should be free to cast a ballot without worry that the election process is anything less than fair and unbiased. Those overseeing elections must be fair and impartial. The comments made by Ms. Doyle Lyons render her unfit to hold such an important office. To ensure our elections are conducted honestly and fairly, those overseeing the process must be impartial. Karen Doyle Lyons must resign now."

Duff's statement:

"‪Republican Registrar of Voters Karen Doyle Lyons must immediately resign and remove her name from the 2020 ballot. Her comments on Facebook are racist, lack moral leadership and are extremely concerning in the context of her current position as an election administrator. I’ve long been concerned about her ability to conduct fair elections because of her improper views of voter identification laws. Norwalk voters would be rightly concerned about the August 11 primary and November 3 elections if Mrs. Doyle Lyons has a role. Turnout for the general election is expected to be very high this year and voters need to have confidence about the execution of a free and fair election. Mrs. Doyle Lyons has shown what’s in her heart and voters surely will not want her to use the power of her office to turn that into reality."