Republican Registrar of Voters Karin Aurelia has retired from her elected post after 12 years of service. She was honored on her last day, December 18, with a small reception at the Newtown Municipal Center, where she was also presented with a state proclamation by State Representative Mitch Bolinsky.

Ms Aurelia was serving as a volunteer poll worker before she was recruited by former registrar Shirley Laurenson to be a deputy registrar, a post she held for 17 years. She has resided in town for 48 years, most of it spent with her late husband, John, who passed away in 2012.

In an interview before her 2012 primary, Ms Aurelia said during much of her tenure as deputy registrar and as registrar, she was a welcome asset to the office, “even among the Democrats.”

In her official capacity, she recruited and trained many high school students and seniors, and as new laws were introduced, she continued to help educate local poll workers as well.

“I came to the United States from England at age 18, got married a year later, and became a citizen in 1976 because as a citizen I would be allowed to vote,” she said.

Concurrent with her registrar duties, Ms Aurelia served as treasurer with the town’s Commission on Aging, volunteering at Newtown Senior Center twice a week, and regularly accompanied local seniors on outings.

She was previously active with The Town Players of Newtown, the town’s oldest theater group, and worked as a receptionist at a local medical practice for many years.

Ms Aurelia expressed frustration about seeing so few citizens at the polls, especially for votes that have direct impact on them and the community, like local elections and budget referenda.

To help encourage voters, she visited local facilities such as Masonicare and the Nunnawauk Meadows Senior Housing complex to assist residents with voting duties, as well as promoting supervised absentee balloting.

The retired registrar was also a fixture at local events like the Duck Race and Sandy Hook LobsterFest conducting voter registrations.

“In all my time I’ve never had a complaint lodged against me by a voter or citizen,” she said. “But I cherish the many letters calls and notes of appreciation from voters and residents whom I’ve helped or assisted over the years.”

First Selectman Pat Llodra said that Ms Aurelia served honorably in her roles with the Newtown’s Registrar of Voters Office.

“She and the entire registrar staff have managed countless changes and challenges in voting protocols with nary a ripple,” Mrs Llodra said. “We have learned to have great confidence in the work of that office, much through Karin’s strong and diligent efforts. We wish her many years of pleasure and comfort in her retirement and thank her for these many years of service to Newtown voters.”