Record number of poll workers needed for November
This is an historic election year, with a pandemic adding to an already hotly contested election. New poll workers are needed for data entry, for helping at Town Hall for Election Day Registration, at the Senior Center for Central Absentee Counting, as well as working at the polls in the GMHS Community Gym. The Registrar’s office has been actively recruiting new workers to fill all of these slots and has set up multiple options for training to try to make it easier to participate.
If you would like to be added to the list or if you did not receive the poll worker information yet, please e-mail the registrars at registrarofvoters@granby-ct.gov.
Vote safely—Apply now to receive an absentee ballot
The Secretary of State has mailed an Absentee Ballot Application, with return postage, to all registered voters. If you were missed, you can go online to get the application: portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Absentee-Ballot-Application-ED-3/ED-3-Rev-20-Final.pdf
You can use the official ballot drop box in front of Town Hall to deposit your application or mail it to: Granby Town Hall, 15 North Granby Rd, Granby, CT 06035.
Printed ballots will become available on Oct. 2. All approved applications will be mailed to the address given on the application. It is recommended to get your application in as soon as possible to help the Town Clerk deal with the unprecedented volume expected.
Carefully read the instructions and drop your completed ballot in the official ballot drop box. If you choose to mail it, we recommend mailing before Oct. 26 to ensure timely delivery. Use both envelopes provided. If you are a new voter who has never shown ID, the Town Clerk will add a note reminding you to enclose a valid copy of your ID in the outer envelope along with the inner envelope containing your ballot.
Only complete absentee ballots received before the close of polls on the day of the election will be counted.
Do not bring absentee ballots to the polls, the polling place is exclusively for in-person voting. Please be aware if you have given the Town Clerk a ballot by 5 p.m. on Nov. 2 then your name will be crossed off in red, and you cannot vote at the polls on Nov. 3. Any absentee ballots dropped off on Election Day will not be counted if we find that the voter came to the polls to vote on Election Day.
Top three reasons for rejection of Absentee Ballots in Granby
Not using both envelopes, not signing inner envelope and not sealing as directed. Read carefully and follow the directions. Never share to save postage, each voter must use their own issued envelopes.
Invalid signature on the inner envelope. The signature must match that of the person to whom the ballot was issued. Family members and lawyers cannot vote a ballot for someone else.
Received after Election Day. Only ballots received by the Town Clerk by 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 will be counted. There is no grace period, no check of postmarks after Nov. 3.
Pandemic will force line outside on Nov. 3
For the Presidential Election on Nov. 3 many new precautions are being implemented to ensure the safety of both poll workers and voters. If you plan to come to the polls, please dress for the weather and plan for lots of extra time to vote.
The CDC guidelines for social distancing and maximum indoor capacity will necessitate lines outside of the building.
Anticipated heavy traffic will also necessitate a one-way traffic pattern—enter using the North Granby Road/Route 189 entrance and leave using the Salmon Brook Street/Route 10/202 exit. If you are concerned about in-person voting this year, the registrars advise you to vote by absentee ballot.
Register now to vote in November
Voters need to be aware that voter registration is non-transferable. If you move, you must register in your new town and make sure you receive a letter of confirmation within two weeks prior to the election. Call the registrars’ office or email, if you did not receive confirmation. Currently there is a seven-day registration deadline, whether it is done online, mail-in or in person. There are few cut off exceptions (new residents who moved within the last week before the election, handicapped and military). Please review the calendar below for these deadlines. The registrars strongly recommend going online to register now, to ensure your right to vote.
Same day registration, also known as Election Day Registration, is available at Town Hall, for eligible U.S. Citizens who are 18 or older on Election Day. New voters must provide proof of both identity and residency if they wait until Election Day to vote at Town Hall.
Between new social distancing requirements and the data entry and crosstown check waiting, Election Day Registration can be a lengthy process. If you come on Election Day be prepared to wait outside if there is a line. To ensure no one votes twice, those who are from a different town in Connecticut will have their ballot set aside. A confirmation phone call with their previous town must affirm they have not voted before the ballot can be counted. Online voter registration is available for new voters or to make changes 24 hours a day—seven days a week at voterregistration.ct.gov Voter registration can be verified at dir.ct.gov/sots/lookup.aspx
Calendar Review
Friday, Oct. 2: Absentee Ballots are available from the Town Clerk (for completed applications)
Tuesday, Oct. 20: Public Testing and Sealing of the Voting Machines at 2 p.m. in Town Hall
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Deadline to postmark a mail in registration
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Last day to register to vote in person
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Voter registration session at Registrars’ Office in Town Hall, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28: Filing of Certified Voter Registry List with the Town Clerk
Monday, Nov. 2: Last day to register for new residents, military, handicap
Monday, Nov. 2: Voter registration session at Registrars’ Office in Town Hall, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Polls open 6 a.m., close 8 p.m. HS Community Gym
Feel free to stop by to register to vote, to determine your voting district or to make corrections in person at the Registrars’ Office in the Town Hall every Wednesday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please note that voter registration forms are also available at town halls, libraries, DMV offices and online at the Secretary of State’s website: sots.ct.gov
Questions? Please feel free to contact the registrars, Laura Wolfe and Sonja Smith at 860-844-5322 or registrarofvoters@granby-ct.gov
Ballots
