All three local polling locations will be open on Tuesday, November 5, when registered voters are invited to vote for local, state and federal offices.

Polling locations will be open for in-person voting from 6 am until 8 pm.

Voters will need to show ID when they report to their polling location: residents of Districts 1-6 and 1-7 vote at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street; District 2-6 at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road; and District 3-6 at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane.

For those unsure which location they reside in, visit newtown-ct.gov/registrar-voters and click on District Street Index or Map of Voting Districts. Both options can be found along the left side of the page.

Sample ballots for all districts are available at newtown-ct.gov/town-clerk. Click on Absentee Ballot Information along the left side of the page for the samples.

Explanatory text for two questions that will be found on local ballots next month can also be found at that location. Newtown residents will be asked to decide upon the following: “Shall the Legislative Council’s vote to sell or otherwise dispose of Town-owned property located at 3 Main Street be approved?” and “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”

The link for each question above presents background information for each vote.

Absentee Voting

Absentee ballots will be available as of Friday, October 4, for the November 5 elections.

Absentee ballots may be applied for by any qualified voter who is unable to vote at the polls due to active service in the Armed Forces of the United States, absence from their town of residence; sickness; religious tenets which forbid secular activity on the day of an election, primary or referendum; duties as a primary, election or referendum official at a polling place other than their own during all of the hours of voting; or physical disability.

Voters can receive ballots by visiting the Office of the Town Clerk, within Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Registered voters with a valid Connecticut DMV-issued license can apply online. The Town Clerk will be notified of online applications and will promptly mail ballots to the address designated on the application. Newtown residents should visit newtown-ct.gov/town-clerk, then click on Absentee Ballot Information along the left side of the page.

For those who do not have a valid Connecticut driver’s license, an Application For Absentee Ballot must be printed through the website above and returned to the Office of the Town Clerk.

Visit the Town Clerk’s page for instructions on returning Applications for Absentee Ballot.

Only the voter can receive their own ballot; voters cannot pick up ballots for other people.

Voters can return their ballots in the ballot box located outside the northern and southern entrances of the municipal center; directly to the Office of the Town Clerk; or the US Postal Service.

Those voting by absentee ballot must remember the ballot must be placed in the inner envelope and the envelope must be signed. The inner envelope must be in the outer envelope and sealed before being returned. The outer envelope must be stamped with return date and time by the Town Clerk. If these things are not done correctly, the ballot will be rejected.

The last day to receive absentee ballots is Monday, November 4. All ballots must be returned on November 5.

Contact the Office of the Town Clerk at 203-270-4210 or town.clerk@newtown-ct.gov with questions. The office is regularly open weekdays from 8 am until 4:30 pm.

Early Voting

Early voting will begin Monday, October 21, and continue daily to Sunday, November 3.

All early voting is done at the Office of the Registrar, also within Newtown Municipal Center.

Hours will be 10 am-6 pm every day except Tuesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 31, when hours will be 8 am-8 pm.

Voters will need to show ID and registrars will check voters off in the computer.

Envelopes will be given to voters with ballot information. Voters should use the ballot that corresponds with the envelope. Fill out the ballot, fold it in half with the votes on the inside, and place the ballot into the envelope. Sign the envelope and hand it to the person at the ballot box.

They will check to ensure the envelope is signed. Voters can then put the ballot into the ballot box. This ensures the ballot cannot be rejected because the envelope is checked for a signature. Voters will receive stickers and their vote will be counted.

For additional information, contact the Officer of the Registrar at 203-270-4250 or registrar.of.voters@newtown-ct.gov.