Time Is Running Out For Prospective Primary Voters

By John Voket

Unaffiliated voters, and those who recently qualified to vote in Newtown, have just a few more days to register if they are interested in participating in the upcoming Democratic primary. The election, which will determine which Democratic candidate will represent the party against Connecticut’s incumbent Republican Governor Jodi Rell in November, is set for Tuesday, August 8.

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy are locked in a tight race for the voters’ endorsement as time runs down to the wire.

The August 8 Primary will also determine the party’s lieutenant governor candidate, as well as the fate of incumbent Democratic US Senator Joseph Lieberman. Sen Lieberman is being challenged by Fairfield County millionaire Ned Lamont.

Registered Democrats will be able to cast their ballots August 8 between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm in their local precinct polling location.

For party faithful wishing to vote, but who may be away from town on Primary day, Town Clerk Cindy Simon is offering qualified residents absentee ballots. Anyone wishing to submit an absentee ballot for the August 8 Primary can obtain one in person, or by phoning the Town Clerk’s Office in Edmond Town Hall Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Special Saturday hours for absentee voting will be held August 5 from 9 am to noon as well. Any questions about the absentee voting process can be directed to Ms Simon or one of her staff by calling 270-4210.

According to Registrar of Voters Karen Aurelia, her office has already handled “dozens” of applications from unaffiliated Newtown voters who have decided to register as Democrats in order to vote in the upcoming primary. However, the opportunity for unaffiliated persons, as well as new unregistered residents and those coming of age to vote since the last election, to qualify to participate August 8 is quickly drawing to a close.

Anyone wishing to obtain a registration form to become a Democrat can do so in person at town hall, or download a form from the Secretary of the State’s website at www.sots.ct.gov (click on “Download Forms”). Once the form has been completed, it must be postmarked — by postal officials, not a postal meter — by August 3 to be valid.

Those missing the postmark deadline to mail in registration must appear in person to file the form at either the town clerk’s or the registrar’s office by noon August 7. The registrars office, which is normally closed Monday, will be open for that purpose August 7 until noon.

“Anyone who delivers their form after noon August 7, and any forms received postmarked August 4 or later will not be eligible to vote in the August 8 primary,” Ms Aurelia stressed. “We encourage anyone eligible to register, to do so in person if possible. The process takes less than five minutes.”

The registrar also advised residents from other states that in Connecticut, unaffiliated voters cannot cast ballots in the August 8 Democratic Primary.

“In some states, unaffiliated voters can vote in other party primaries, but not here,” she said. It is also too late for registered Republicans or any registered members of other parties to switch party affiliations to Democrat and be qualified to vote August 8, she added.

Although each gubernatorial candidate has chosen a lieutenant governor running mate, voters must cast either a separate machine or absentee for one of those candidates as well.

Mary Messina-Glassman is running with Mr Malloy, and Scott Slifka is running with Mr DeStefano.

For information or clarification on the registration process, contact the Newtown Registrars of Voters office at 270-4250.