The number of online voter registrations surged following a Facebook promotional effort last weekend, which was launched in advance of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 27.a short instructional video about online registration that has attracted more than 40,000 views in less than two weeks.myvote.ct.gov.lereine.frampton@newtown-ct.govNewtown Democratic Registrar of Voters LeReine Frampton can be reached directly at joanne.albanesi@newtown-ct.gov.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill called the effort "an incredible weekend for online voter registration."

"The timing," she continued Monday, "could not have been better. I encourage everyone to mark National Voter Registration Day by registering friends and family to vote. Every vote matters and new voters especially could make all the difference on Election Day."

Beginning Friday, September 23, Facebook launched a voter registration reminder across Connecticut, which was posted at the top of users' Facebook news feeds. The reminder linked to Vote.USA.gov, a federal government website that then redirected users to Connecticut's online voter registration page.

While Facebook's reminder was in effect, online voter registration applications jumped more than tenfold from the same three-day period of the preceding week.

Online voter registrations from Friday, September 16, 2016, to Sunday, September 18, 2016, totaled 1,155.

Online voter registrations from Friday, September 23, 2016, to Sunday, September 25, 2016, however, totaled 14,883.

Facebook's promotion is not the only social media campaign underway.

Secretary Merrill launched

In addition, Secretary Merrill and a number of partners are marking National Voter Registration Day with an online campaign encouraging everyone in Connecticut to register.

Using the hashtag #myvotect, participants are posting selfies promoting voter registration. Among those who joined the effort are elected officials, public figures and sports teams including Hartford Yard Goats, New Britain Bees, and Hartford Wolf Pack.

Citizens have until November 1 to register to vote by mail, online or in-person. While same-day registration is in effect on November 8, the Secretary of the State is urging everyone to register in advance to mitigate potentially long lines on Election Day.

For more information about registering to vote, go to

Those with questions specific to Newtown can contact the Newtown Registrar or Voters office, within Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, at 203-270-4250. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 am to noon; special hours are added during election times.

and Republican Registrar of Voters Joanne Albanesi can be reached directly at