Danbury Democrats: 'No Comment' Once Again From The Town Clerk

**Submitted by Danbury Democratic Town Committee**

Sept. 7, 2023

After the “Ballot Pull” was completed this morning at City Hall by the Registrars of Voters, Democratic Town Committee Chairman, Larry Riefberg, turned to the Danbury Town Clerk, Jan Giegler, seated in the room and asked: “So have you made a decision about what you are going to do with the Independent Party Line?”. She retorted: “Today is just about the Ballot Pull for the Democrats and Republicans”. True enough, but today would have been an appropriate and opportune time for her to announce that decision – now that the ballots will be prepared for printing in the coming week. So Riefberg asked again and she responded: “No Comment”

“’No Comment’ is not an appropriate response for THE elected public official charged with the responsibility of determining who will be placed on the ballot this fall. ‘No Comment’ is someone that is clearly hiding from the responsibilities and duties of her office, fearful, it appears, of announcing her decision - and that is completely unacceptable”, continued Riefberg. “She should resign immediately and not seek re-election this fall”, Riefberg said.

The Independent Party of Danbury held a meeting on August 11 and endorsed Roberto Alves and Democratic ticket for the Municipal Election this fall. In violation of her oath of office, with a clear Conflict of Interest and in dereliction of her duties, Jan Giegler, the Republican Town Clerk refused to accept the lawful filing of that endorsed slate when it was submitted to her the following week.

Her arrogance - and that of Mayor Esposito and his administration - prompted the Office of the Secretary of State to admonish her unprecedented actions: “My advice, and of course, this office does not have jurisdiction over municipal endorsements, as they are filed with the Clerk. . .” wrote Lewis Button, an Attorney with that office, “but my advice is to accept any endorsements that either side files with you.” Ms. Giegler finally relented and accepted the filing but obviously still does not understand the responsibilities of her job.

“Still does not understand” - because when presented with another endorsed slate (the entire Republican ticket, of which she is a member), she immediately accepted that one and declared that she “believes that slate is valid.” “The Town Clerk continues with her election interference scheme”, proclaimed Riefberg. Riefberg is referring to the email from the Office of the Secretary of State which clearly and unequivocally states: “If there are more endorsements than offices to be filled on the ballot, then an over endorsement has occurred, and you may not place any candidates on the ballot for that party line. If this occurs, you should send a letter to both sides confirming the fact that you have received multiple endorsements and may not be able to put anyone on the ballot. We would not want an election official to choose among varying nominations. . .”

“The Town Clerk does not seem to care about her official duties and is putting Politics over People and Public Service”, Riefberg continued. “She should have instantly recused herself but did not. It is outrageous unethical behavior”, Riefberg declared.

Last Thursday, the situation became more tense. Attorney William Bloss of the eminently well-respected Koskoff law firm, weighed in, writing the attached letter directly to the Town Clerk and City lawyers. Attorney Bloss, no stranger to Republican shenanigans in Danbury, (he had to threaten a federal law suit to force the Republican super-majority in the City Council to property draw Ward maps earlier this year) articulated the proper course of action the Town Clerk should take in this situation.

And her response: “No Comment”

So what will the Danbury Republican Town Clerk do?