When it Comes to Voting for Young People Six GOP Members are All Thumbs

When it Comes to Voting for Young People Six GOP Members are All Thumbs

Cafero says he pushed the wrong button when voting against important youth voting bill

(Hartford, May 9, 2007) The Connecticut Young Democrats today called upon five Republican caucus leaders, who each flipped their votes from "yes" to "no" on a bill important to young voters, to confirm they all coincidentally made the same 'mistake' claimed to be made by Rep. Larry Cafero.

Cafero told WTNH-TV's Mark Davis yesterday that his initial vote in favor of the measure to allow seventeen year olds to vote in primaries if they will be eighteen in time for the general election was "totally a mistake." Cafero told the same story to the Stamford Advocate adding that he voted "yes wanting to vote 'no'." Video of the WTNH story can be found at http://blog.dems.info along with the Stamford Advocate article.

"There are two voting buttons on each legislator's desk, approximately a quarter inch apart. One is colored green for 'yes' and the other red for 'no,'" said Lon Seidman, Co-President of the Connecticut Young Democrats, "The buttons even light up on the desk after a vote is cast, so I find Rep. Cafero's excuse that he and five other experienced members of his leadership each pushed the wrong button simply not believable and downright insulting to young voters statewide."

A photo of the buttons legislators push to register their vote is attached.

Cafero switched his vote approximately three minutes into the tally, followed quickly by Caron. Klarides, Labriola, and John Ryan switched their votes simultaneously a minute later. Scribner changed his "yes" vote to "no" six minutes into the vote. The most astonishing flip flopper of the day was Rep. John Ryan, who switched his vote at least four times before finally settling on a "no" vote.

The Connecticut Young Democrats are calling on Representatives Caron, Klarides, Labriola, John Ryan, and Scribner to publicly explain their actions during the May 3rd vote. So far none have responded to constituent and media requests.

Seidman maintains his earlier position that these six Republican leaders, amidst confusion over exactly how many votes were needed for the measure to pass, decided to switch their votes to prevent the bill from moving to the statewide ballot in 2008.

The media attention comes as the result of a video the Connecticut Young Democrats released Monday on the popular website "YouTube" showing the vote switching taking place.

The Connecticut Young Democrats represents the interests of young people in the political process and provides resources for young candidates seeking elected office. The organization's website is located at http://yd.dems.info.