A legal dispute regarding voter disenfranchisement in South Windsor’s town council race is poised to escalate to the state Supreme Court. The case, titled Amadasun v. Armstrong, follows an appeal filed by local Democrats after the town clerk awarded a council seat to a Republican candidate despite a Democrat receiving more votes.
In the November 4, 2025 election, Harrison Amadasun garnered 3,847 votes, surpassing all Republican candidates, including Rick Balboni, who received 2,937 votes. However, Town Clerk Bonnie Armstrong declared Balboni the winner. The contention stems from a Town Charter amendment approved on the same day, which reduced the majority representation required on the council. While the amendment was approved, Democrats argue that it did not take effect until November 5, meaning the election should have been governed by the previous rules.
Legal Arguments and Implications
Attorney John Kennelly, representing Amadasun, emphasized the need for the appeal to be granted to ensure transparency in the electoral process. “Only through a fair and transparent process can the public trust that justice has truly been done,” he stated outside the Hartford Judicial Branch courthouse.
Kennelly contends that the charter changes should not retroactively affect the election. “The election is held on November 4; my client is elected by a vast majority of the votes. And none of the changes are ever supposed to go into effect until the fifth,” he explained. He also pointed out that voters were misled if the rules changed after their votes were cast.
In response to the lawsuit, Judge Susan Cobb ruled in favor of Armstrong, stating that the town clerk’s decision was compliant with the charter revisions. Cobb noted that the determination was made after the election and did not involve any disputes regarding the actual vote counts. Her ruling asserted that the legal framework surrounding election procedures was not intended to cover this situation.
Political Backing and Community Response
The appeal has garnered support from various political figures, including Democratic state Senator Saud Anwar, state Representative Gillian Gilchrest, former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and U.S. Representative John Larson. Amadasun expressed his commitment to ensure that every vote counts, stating, “I will continue to stand with voters who demand accountability, transparency and respect for the democratic process.”
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for electoral processes and voter rights in Connecticut, particularly regarding the application of charter changes in local elections. As the case heads toward the state Supreme Court, the focus will be on whether the new charter rules should impact the election results or if the previously established regulations should remain in effect.
