The only problem is that the newly registered Democrat is an elected City of Hartford official and now will run afoul of Connecticut's Minority party Representation Laws as well as the Hartford City Charter.
Councilwoman Cynthia Jennings has , according to sources at City Hall, has left the Working Families Party and now has registered as a Democrat.
Connecticut State law clearly outlines the requirements for minority party representation and the Hartford City Charter as well,
Jennings jumping ship from the Working Families Party to the Democrats has now upset the required balance as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes, 9-167 as shown in the chart below/ The Hartford City Council consists of 9 members and it clearly states that no more than 6 can be Democrats, Jennings will make the Council majority 8 Democrats and a violation of State law.
Once source told me that they they Jennings switched parties to be able to collect petition signatures for Governor candidate Joe Ganim. Only registered Democrats can collect signatures for Mayor Ganim to qualify for the Democratic Primary..
Much more to come on this bizarre move by Jennings
UPDATE MONDAY 8:00PM
From the Hartford Municipal Code, Jennings actions have essentially resulted in her resignation from the Council, below is the pertinent wording from the Municipal Code
(c)
Vacancies in various elective offices.
(1)
Vacancies resulting from changes in member's residence or political party registration.
A member of the council shall be deemed to have resigned upon ceasing to be a resident
of the city. With the exception of the final three (3) months of the term of office,
a member of council who changes political party registration and thereby alters the
party composition of the council shall be deemed to have resigned.
Jennings actions as outlined have "altered the party composition of the Council" therefore according to the Code, she has resigned.
Here is the link to the Hartford Municipal Code if you would like to read it yourself
Connecticut General Statutes 9-167a – Minority representation
Current as of: 2016 |
Check for updates
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Other versions
(a)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the maximum number of members of any board, commission, legislative body, committee or similar body of the state or any political subdivision thereof, whether elective or appointive, who may be members of the same political party, shall be as specified in the following table:
COLUMN I
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COLUMN II
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Total Membership
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Maximum from One Party
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3…………………………………………………………….2
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4…………………………………………………………….3
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5…………………………………………………………….4
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6…………………………………………………………….4
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7…………………………………………………………….5
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8…………………………………………………………….5
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9…………………………………………………………….6
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