Pollworkers are needed 

Print More
Pollworkers are needed for the Nov. 3 municipal election

Local poll worker training will be held in the fall, with flexible days and times. We will once again be offering a series of Election Day workshops for poll workers to attend. If you would like to be included on Granby’s poll worker list please e-mail the registrars at: vr.granby.ct@gmail.com. Being a poll worker looks great on college and job applications — be part of the democratic process!

Two-sided ballot for November municipal election

On Nov. 3, voters will have the opportunity to vote for 24 open seats and, as in the past, a two-sided ballot is anticipated to include all of these offices. First Selectman, Board of Selectman, Board of Finance, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Zoning Board Alternate and Town Moderator will all be on the ballot. In the past, the Board of Selectman race has caused some confusion. All four seats are open every two years but voters can only choose two candidates. State statutes have a provision requiring a minimum of two candidates from each party to be represented on this five-member board, so two members of each party must be elected. For the other races, this doesn’t apply, and for the larger boards, they have already met the minimum required, so voters can vote on all of the seats available. To fill all of these offices, both parties will hold a caucus in late July to nominate candidates. If more than one candidate applies, or anyone contests a party nomination, they can petition to be the party candidate the day after the caucus by getting the petition forms from the Registrars and then collecting the signatures of party members. August 12 is the deadline to submit the petition forms to the Registrars and they must include signatures from a minimum of five percent of party members.

News from the Secretary of State:

The 2015 Legislative session saw the introduction of a bill from the Secretary of State’s office seeking to strengthen Connecticut’s elections. The Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut (ROVAC) worked with the Secretary of State to write language that strengthens and modernizes elections, but preserves the Connecticut bipartisan system. For more information on this bill, visit www.cga.ct.gov and query HB1051.

Calendar Review:

Absentee Ballot Applications are being collected now by the Town Clerk for those who know they will be away from home on November 3. The form is available at Town Hall or on the web at www.sots.state.ct.us

Tuesday, June 16 was the deadline to switch parties in order to vote in a September municipal primary (if held).

Thursday, July 23, is the Republican party caucus, to be held in the Community Room at the Police Station at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Mark Neumann, RTC chair, at 860-653-9668 or email mark.neumann6@gmail.com

Thursday, July 23, is the Democratic party caucus, to be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Holcomb Farm Workshop. For more information, please contact Jim Lofink, DTC chair, at 860-810-0274 or emailjclofink@gmail.com

A party caucus is where local candidates for the November election are endorsed. Only party members can vote in a caucus. The deadline for an unaffiliated voter to join a political party to participate in the caucus is by noon the day before. All Granby registered party members are invited to join their respective party caucus. Contact town party chairpersons for more information.

Wednesday, September 16, is the potential municipal primary date, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., if needed.

Feel free to stop by the Registrars’ Office in the Town Hall on any Wednesday to register to vote, figure out which is your voting district or make corrections in person. Our regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note, voter registration forms are also available at town halls, libraries, DMV offices and online at the Secretary of State’s website: www.sots.ct.gov

Questions?  Please feel free to contact the Registrars, Laura Wolfe and Sarah Thrall, their office phone number is 860-844-5322 and e-mail address is: vr.granby.ct@gmail.com