Press Releases
05/27/2025
Secretary Thomas Highlights the Need of Independent Election Watchdog at Event Honoring State Elections Enforcement Commission
(Hartford, Connecticut) – Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas spoke about the importance of fair and independent election watchdogs at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) and the 20th anniversary of the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP). The event celebrated SEEC’s long-standing role overseeing elections and CEP’s success in making them more open and accessible.
“To run trustworthy elections, you have to get a lot of things right, and SEEC has been a big part of our success in Connecticut,” Secretary Thomas said. “For 50 years, SEEC has been a national model—upholding the law, protecting public trust, and doing so with fairness and independence.”
As Connecticut’s chief elections officer, Thomas called SEEC a steady and essential partner with a shared commitment to impartial and fair elections. Thomas noted that running elections in Connecticut is a team effort that requires strong coordination between state and local agencies. She explained how SEEC staff monitor the election hotline, investigate any claims of election malfeasance, and work alongside the Secretary of the State Office to ensure that every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot safely and securely. Thomas also highlighted how her office relied on SEEC’s candidate data to produce the state’s first official voter guide last fall.
According to Thomas, SEEC’s commitment to fairness has been key to the success of the Citizens’ Election Program, Connecticut’s public campaign financing system. CEP has given everyday people a chance to run for office without relying on wealthy donors. “What has set SEEC apart is its impartiality,” Thomas said. “They always have treated every candidate — incumbents and challengers, Democrats and Republicans — with the same scrutiny and the same respect.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from Senator Richard Blumenthal, Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz, State Senator Mae Flexer, State Representative Matt Blumenthal, SEEC Chair Stephen Perry, SEEC Executive Director and General Counsel Claire Kindall. Cheri Quickmire, Executive Director of Common Cause in Connecticut, Ann Reed, Executive Director, League of Women Voters, Ian Vanderwalker, Senior Counsel and Manager, Brennan Center for Justice, and Mark Wasielewski, incoming President of the Council of Governmental Ethics Laws, spoke for the advocacy community. Former Speaker of the House Chris Donovan and former SEEC Executive Director Jeffrey Garfield recounted how the CEP program was enacted and paid tribute to the policymakers and activists involved in its passage, including the late Governor Jodi Rell.
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