State Employee Faces Legal Troubles Over Alleged Election Misconduct

Sign reading "Vote Here" in a polling station.

A Connecticut state employee faces charges of voter registration fraud, accused of altering party affiliations on registration documents from “Republican” or undeclared to “Democrat.”

Key Takeaways

Arlanda Brantley, 57, an employee of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, is charged with voter registration fraud in Torrington, Connecticut.
Brantley allegedly changed party affiliations on voter registration cards from “No” or “Republican” to “Democrat” following a national voting event.
The suspect faces five counts of fraudulent registration and five counts of primary or enrollment violations.
This incident adds to broader concerns about voter fraud in Connecticut, including recent allegations in Bridgeport involving Democratic officials.
The case has prompted calls for improved election security measures in the state.

State Employee Arrested for Voter Registration Fraud

In a troubling development that has raised concerns about election integrity in Connecticut, a state employee has been arrested and charged with voter registration fraud. Arlanda Brantley, a 57-year-old employee of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, is accused of altering voter registration cards following a national voting initiative event at the Western CT Mental Health Network in Torrington.

According to authorities, Brantley allegedly changed the party affiliation on several voter registration cards from “No” or “Republican” to “Democrat.” The fraudulent activity came to light when the altered registration cards were submitted to the registrar of voters clerk in Torrington, who discovered the discrepancies upon inspection.

Investigation and Charges

The investigation into this case began in October 2024 after a fraud complaint was reported. The State Elections Enforcement Commission and Torrington Police conducted thorough investigations, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant. Brantley subsequently turned herself in to the authorities.

The suspect now faces five counts of fraudulent registration and five counts of primary or enrollment violations. She was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 10. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has placed Brantley on administrative leave, emphasizing that such behavior is not tolerated within the organization.

Broader Implications and Concerns

This incident has reignited concerns about voter fraud in Connecticut and has led to calls for increased election security measures. Republican state Rep. Joe Canino condemned the actions, emphasizing the need for better safeguards to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

The case in Torrington is not isolated, as it follows recent allegations of election-related misconduct in Bridgeport involving Democratic officials. These incidents include accusations against a councilman and a Democratic Party vice chairwoman, further eroding public confidence in the state’s electoral system.

As Connecticut grapples with these challenges to its electoral integrity, the need for robust measures to prevent and detect voter fraud becomes increasingly apparent. The outcome of this case and the state’s response to these growing concerns will likely shape the future of election security in Connecticut and potentially influence national discussions on voter fraud prevention.