Wallingford Dems Call On Mayor To Un-Lock Ballot Box

WALLINGFORD, CT -- Two Wallingford Democrats have accused Mayor William Dickinson Jr. of trying to prevent people from requesting absentee ballots by locking the dropbox at Town Hall.

Dickinson told The New Haven Register the dropbox has been locked since the last election, and will be re-opened September 1.

Town Clerk Deborah McKiernan told the Register that state law does not require the boxes to be open until October 4. She added her office is still accepting absentee ballot applications by mail and in person.

Dickinson has not yet responded to Patch's request for clarification and comment.

Riley O'Connell, who is running against the longtime mayor, said this move is "yet another indication that the mayor will do anything to cling to power" in an email statement. O'Connell said Dickinson is trying to prevent college students from voting.

Alexa Tomassi, a Democrat running for town council, called it "blatant political wrangling."