Bridgeport, Conn. – Councilman Alfredo Castillo has refused a plea agreement that would have sent him to prison for two and a half years. Instead, he chose to let a jury decide his fate on 33 felony charges alleging extensive absentee‑ballot fraud during the 2023 Democratic mayoral primary.
Allegations and defendant’s statements
Castillo repeatedly told reporters that he was merely “following the orders of the Democratic Party” and that the city’s absentee‑ballot system benefited the mayor, the state’s congressional delegation, and the governor. He added that “the foot soldiers get whacked while the people at the top walk away untouched.” Those remarks are his own, not the words of a political opponent.
Historical context of absentee‑ballot abuse
The case echoes a scandal less than a decade ago when former councilman Michael DeFilippo forged tenant signatures and cast absentee ballots for himself. DeFilippo pleaded guilty in 2024 and received three weekends in jail after a federal prosecutor described his conduct as “thwarting the will of the people.”
Details of the 2023 primary
More than 10,800 voters participated in the 2023 Democratic mayoral primary, with absentee ballots accounting for over 22 % (2,470 votes). The incumbent mayor won by a razor‑thin margin of 251 votes. One voter, a legal resident who is not a U.S. citizen, told investigators that Castillo convinced her to register and apply for an absentee ballot despite her non‑citizen status. She said Castillo collected her signed forms and never mailed them.
In a separate incident, an elderly resident of Harborview Towers recounted that Castillo visited her apartment, instructed her on how to vote at her kitchen table, and then mailed the completed ballot himself. When asked whether she voted for her choice or for Castillo’s preferred candidate, she answered simply, “He told me.”
Legal perspectives
Attorney Bill Bloss, who successfully challenged the 2023 Democratic mayoral primary results, described Bridgeport’s absentee‑ballot problems as a “very long, tortured history” that is “not a secret.” He said the practice has become part of the city’s electoral strategy, allowing candidates to win by harvesting absentee ballots.
Five other Bridgeport residents charged alongside Castillo have already pleaded guilty and received sentences, many avoiding jail through suspended terms and probation. Castillo’s decision to reject a plea deal and go to trial underscores his willingness to contest the charges rather than accept responsibility.
Impact on voter confidence
Some residents have expressed deep cynicism about the electoral process, saying they no longer see the point in voting because elected officials “only need their signature to get elected, and after that, nothing changes for the neighborhoods they came from.” This resignation, the article argues, is the true cost of the scandal.
Looking ahead to the 2026 election
As Bridgeport prepares for the November 2026 election, absentee‑ballot voting will begin on October 2. While Connecticut lawmakers have expanded ballot access, key safeguards—such as mandatory minimum sentences for ballot fraud, stricter signature verification, and limits on who may collect and deliver absentee ballots—remain stalled in future legislative sessions.
Ensuring ballot security is essential for a functioning government and a peaceful transfer of power. Although prosecution alone will not restore voter turnout, it is a necessary step toward rebuilding trust in Bridgeport’s elections.
Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.
