Registrars Answer Questions

About New Voting Procedures

By John Voket

The Newtown Registrars of Voters Office has compiled a list of frequently asked questions based on samples taken during regular office hours, and at recent Saturday sessions during which residents had an opportunity to test the new electronic voting technology that will be implemented at all Newtown polling places next Tuesday, Election Day.

Newtown was among the 25 Connecticut cities and towns chosen as pilot community to test optical scan counters and manually completed ballots this year. Pending the successful implementation and outcome of random audits for vote count accuracy, all the state’s voting precincts will switch from the large mechanical booths to a privacy booth/scan system in 2007.

Registrar LeReine Frampton has been conducting special Saturday sessions to help familiarize voters with the new machines and hand completed balloting. The final session this Saturday runs from 9 am to noon in the lower courtroom in Edmond Town Hall.

Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions the registrars office has received regarding this year’s election processes:

What do I do when I get to my polling place?

You can check out the demonstrator table, which will show the ballot and give you any information you will need on how to vote; or just go straight to the check-in tables and show your ID the same as you have before.

Do I have to vote for all the races?

No, as long as you fill in one “bubble” your vote can be cast.

What if I change my mind or make a mistake?

As long as you still have your ballot you may return it to the ballot clerk for a new one. The original will be packaged differently and will not be counted.

What does the ballot look like?

It looks like our old lever machines, the parties are down the left side and the races are across the top. The candidates are all in little boxes with a bubble where the lever would normally be. You just color in the bubble to cast your vote instead of pulling down a lever.

Do I get a receipt?

No, when you have completed your ballot you will enter it into the scanner and it will remain there for our paper trail. This enables us to recreate the entire election if we need to.

Why are there two kinds of machines?

The scanner replaces our lever machines and the telephone/fax system acts as a pencil to fill in the ballot for those who wish to use it. The telephone/fax system sends back a ballot that will need to be hand counted at the end of the night.

Can a minor put the ballot into the scanner?

No, the law requires you to be 18 years old to vote.

How do I mark the ballot?

You will be provided with a marking pen and you simply fill in the bubble. You can go out of the lines as long as you do not go into a different bubble.

Can I try the machine before Election Day?

Yes, the registrars will be in the Old Courtroom at the Edmond Town Hall from 9 am to noon on the Saturday before the election. The machines are there with a demo ballot so you can try them ahead of time.

How do I get to be a poll worker?

Call the registrars office at 270-4250 and ask to be put on the list.

When are the polls open to vote?

On Tuesday November 7, voting takes place from 6 am to 8 pm at four polling places:

District 1 votes at Newtown Middle School, Queen Street; District 2 votes at Reed Intermediate School, Trades Lane; District 3-1 votes at Head O’ Meadow School, Boggs Hill Road; District 3 votes at Middle Gate School, Cold Spring Road.