The Republican and Democratic Town Committees will hold caucuses for nominating members to stand for office in the Nov. 5, 2019, municipal election. The Republican caucus will be held Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room and the Democratic Caucus will be held Monday, July 22, at 7 p.m. in the Senior Center Community Room.
The municipal ballot will have openings in 10 different boards and offices, including Board of Selectmen and Board of Education seats, with over 30 candidates expected to run. Following major party caucuses, if any positions have a contested party nomination, the candidate(s) not chosen have the option to petition for a primary. Candidates who gather enough eligible signatures by Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 4 p.m., can primary for their party’s nomination on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Political party affiliation is often confusing to new voters. In Connecticut, only members of a political party can participate in primaries. There is no waiting period to join a party if you are unaffiliated, or to become unaffiliated if you are a member of a party. However, there is a three-month waiting period to switch political parties. This is tracked by the state’s computerized voter registration system. Membership in a political party is free and carries no obligations. All voters can vote for any candidate they choose, regardless of party affiliation, during elections. The next primary may be held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, so Monday, June 10, 2019, was the deadline to switch political parties to participate. You can choose to be a member of any political party that exists, but only five parties are currently tracked in Granby. Totals as of June 14 are 2,113 Democrats, 7 Greens, 97 Independents, 13 Libertarians, 2,467 Republicans and 2,959 Unaffiliated.
Voter registration is a public record, and is easy to confirm your voter registration 24/7. From the Town of Granby website there is a link to the Secretary of the State’s online voter registration look-up tool: dir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx There is also a link to Online Voter Registration, which is available 24/7 to enroll, or to make name, party or address changes to an existing voter registration: voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do
Registrar of Voters staff changes
Mary Zlotnick resigned, and her Deputy Sonja Smith was sworn in as the Republican Registrar on Wednesday, May 22. Sonja immediately appointed Sandy Lee as her Deputy Registrar. Sandy Lee previously served as Deputy Registrar for Mary Zlotnick.
Office Hours
Posted office hours for the registrars’ office are Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paper voter registration forms are also available at town halls, libraries, DMV offices and online at the Secretary of State’s website: sots.ct.gov. The registrars also offer a free 5-15 minute overview on voting for any interested town groups. Please contact the registrars at 860-844-5322 or lwolfe@granby-ct.gov or ssmith@granby-ct.gov
Absentee ballots
Absentee ballots are handled through the Town Clerk’s office and voters must submit an application to receive an absentee ballot. For primaries and general November elections, send in the absentee ballot application at least one month before the election or primary and mail the completed ballot immediately after you receive the ballot. Absentee ballot applications are being collected now by the Town Clerk for those who know they will be away from home on Sept. 10 and/or Nov. 5. The application is available through the Town Clerk or online at the Secretary of State’s website: sots.ct.gov
Calendar Review
Thursday, July 18 – Republican Party Caucus at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room
Monday, July 22 – Democratic Party Caucus at 7 p.m. in the Senior Center Community Room
Wednesday, July 24 is the deadline for the Town Committees to file Certificates of Endorsement with the Town Clerk.
Wednesday, Aug. 7, is the deadline for submitting the requisite number of eligible signatures to contest nominations and force a primary election. The registrars will hold a special office hours from 1 to 4 p.m. to receive primary petitions from those seeking a party nomination who were not chosen at the caucus.
Tuesday, Sept. 10, is the potential State primary date, from 6 a.m. to
8 p.m., if needed.
Pollworkers needed
Pollworkers will be needed for the municipal election on Nov. 5, and possibly for a Sept. 10 municipal primary. The registrar’s office is compiling an email list of poll workers. Poll workers can be volunteers or paid, must be at least 16-years-old and must complete poll worker training in order to serve. Hours are available to fit your schedule. If you would like to be added to the list, or if you did not receive the poll worker information e-letter, please email the registrars at lwolfe@granby-ct.gov or ssmith@granby-ct.gov
Contact the Registrars, Laura Wolfe and Sonja Smith, their office phone number/voice mail is 860-844-5322 and email address is lwolfe@granby-ct.gov or ssmith@granby-ct.gov