East Haven Mayor Carfora Fires Back At State Rep Zullo On Poll Closing

EAST HAVEN, CT — A week ago, in separate emailed statements that included similar language, both East Haven Mayor Joseph A Carfora and state Rep. Joe Zullo, (R-99) were in "lockstep" on getting to the bottom of the closure of two polling locations used largely by senior citizens. Patch published the story containing both officials' accounts.

Carfora had "expressed deep concern and disappointment over the recent actions taken by Alberta Vitale, the Republican Registrar of Voters, to close two critical voting districts for the presidential primary."

Carfora said Vitale closed East Farm Village, a poll location known by its street address, Messina Drive, and Woodview, both senior living facilities. The polling locations were created by Town ordinances in 1987 and serve East Haven’s senior population. Carfora said the "decision appears to have been made without any guidance or collaboration."

Carfora called the closings an "unacceptable move that threatens to disenfranchise some of our most vulnerable residents—our senior citizens."

The mayor said that when he learned about Vitale's action, Town Attorney Michael Luzzi began the "necessary steps to ensure that these historical polling places are open and accessible for November’s general election."

Carfora said he spoke to Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and other authorities at the state level.

"The investigation of all actions related to this matter is ongoing. This cannot be about funding either," Carfora said. "Ms. Vitale and her Democratic counterpart went through the budgeting process this past spring. At no time was the possible closing of these polling locations mentioned."

Carfora said he was "actively working" with legal advisors, community leaders, and Zullo, who also used "lockstep" to describe addressing the issue and restoring the closed voting districts.

In Zullo's first news release, he said the poll locations were "eliminated from use this election cycle due to administrative action of the office of the registrar of voters in East Haven," and vowed to get to the bottom of the action.

"As I explained to Mayor Carfora and Town Attorney Luzzi today, I will collaborate in every way appropriate to address this locally and at the state level," Zullo said.

The story was published Thursday.

Late Friday afternoon, Zullo contacted emailed a reporter.

"It is entirely not your fault, but I feel as if the article gives the impression that I am in 'lockstep,' with the Mayor's entire position on this. That is not entirely the case."

Zullo went on to charge that Carfora and his administration "are playing political games and exploiting a terrible situation for purely political reasons."

"I will not stand for this becoming a political circus," he wrote in what he called his "first public rebuke" of Carfora.

He said he had seen a text message exchange between Vitale and Registrar Rich DePalma where Zullo said the Democrat "agreed" to shutter the polling locations, adding that it was "irresponsible for the Town to be placing blame squarely on one individual."

Read his full statement here.

Tuesday, Carfora struck back at Zullo, who is very often seen in photos by the mayor's side at community events the town publishes on Facebook.

"While I have respect for Joe Zullo, there are times when his comments don't merit a detailed reply, and this may be one of those times," Carfora wrote to Patch. "But I will add this: Joe's comments exhibit a lack of insight and background by assuming this decision was made with bipartisan unanimity by a perfunctory response by the democratic registrar."

Carfora said the "investigation into the matter will continue."

"My stance remains unchanged. The closure of these polling places was a mistake, driven by the Republican Registrar, and they must be reopened for the upcoming general election," the mayor said. "The community deserves accessible and fair voting opportunities, and we should not settle for anything less. The investigation of this matter will continue."

Meanwhile, the RTC had something to add.

"The East Haven Republican Town Committee is voicing strong support for Republican Registrar and Administrator of Elections Alberta Vitale, while calling for collaborative, solution-oriented actions in response to the recent Republican primary polling site controversy. A series of politically motivated actions by Mayor Joseph Carfora and his administration, as well as misleading public statements, have shifted focus away from constructive dialogue and created confusion in the community, undermining the need for transparent governance.

The East Haven Republican Town Committee emphasizes that solutions should take priority over
political maneuvering. The decision to operate five polling places instead of seven was made jointly between both the Democratic and Republican Registrars based on legal requirements, available resources, and the low voter turnout of 2.8% (130 votes). The focus should now shift from blame and division to addressing any lingering questions about future elections and ensuring that all stakeholders work together to prevent similar issues from arising.

The East Haven Republican Town Committee stands behind Registrar Vitale and calls on Mayor Carfora and his administration to move beyond political posturing and engage in constructive dialogue to develop sustainable solutions that benefit the community as a whole."