Collected ballots and money for votes. Warrants outline new election charges in Bridgeport

Prosecutors charged four campaign workers with ballot crimes during the 2023 race for Bridgeport mayor. They join seven others already facing charges, including two sitting city council members.

John Craven

Jul 31, 2025, 10:04 PM

Updated yesterday

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Casting voters’ ballots for them, forging their signatures and even paying voters.
They’re all part of the latest round of alleged election crimes in Bridgeport, according to arrest warrants.
NEW BALLOT CHARGES
The new charges involve the 2023 race for mayor, which made national headlines after videos of ballot box stuffing surfaced.
On Wednesday, prosecutors charged four campaign workers with illegally collecting ballots. Silvia Ramos, Elsie Mercado and Robert Anderson all worked on Mayor Joe Ganim’s campaign, while Maria Hernandez worked for rival John Gomes.
They join seven others – including three current or former city council members, as well as the vice chair of Bridgeport’s Democratic Town Committee – who are already facing ballot charges related to the 2019 and 2023 elections.
COLLECTING BALLOTS
The video that launched the whole investigation allegedly shows Wanda Geter-Pataky, the DTC vice chair and a top Ganim lieutenant, dropping stacks of absentee ballots into a drop box.
Prosecutors allege that Anderson is the city employee in a yellow vest helping her.
But he’s not the only one caught on camera.
Court papers also claim that Hernandez – who worked for Gomes – made “multiple deposits” into a ballot box on Boston Avenue. Two other Gomes workers are named as well, but were not criminally charged.
Mercado faces the most serious accusations.
In addition to charges of illegally collecting completed ballots, three voters accused Mercado of forging voting documents in their names.
“He stated that was not his signature or handwriting on the application,” her arrest warrant reads. “When he was told he voted in two other elections he was surprised because he again stated he has not voted in Connecticut since returning from North Carolina four years ago.”
Another voter claimed that his aunt pressured him “to sign the [voting] form so that she can get paid by the two females” – one of whom was allegedly Mercado.
In a phone interview Thursday, Mercado denied the charges.
“No, this is the most stupid thing I hear in my life. I never offer someone money,” she said. “They put the votes in, not me.”
According to an affidavit, the Ganim campaign made 20 payments to Mercado totaling $8,620 for “consulting.”
MORE CHARGES COMING?
This may not be the last round of election charges in Bridgeport.
Ramos allegedly said she handed “one or two” completed absentee ballots to city council member Eneida Martinez, who she worked for in addition to Ganim.
“You already know. Give ‘em to Eneida,” Ramos allegedly told investigators in an interview.
Last year, Martinez was referred to the Chief State’s Attorney’s office for possible criminal prosecution. Surveillance cameras appear to show her stuffing absentee ballot drop boxes in 2023, leading a judge to toss out the Democratic primary.
“Eneida Martinez unequivocally denies she has ever mishandled any absentee ballots or violated election laws in any way,” said her attorney, John Kennelly. “We condemn any election law violations and we are in full support and cooperation with the state of Connecticut that such conduct is punished.”
Ramos declined to comment at her home on Thursday.
“No, no, no,” she said. “I don’t want to speak to y’all.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
All four suspects were released on a promise to appear. They will appear in court on Aug. 12, one day before several other suspects may enter plea agreements before a judge.