The Republican and Democratic Town Committees will meet in July to nominate candidates to stand for office in the Nov. 2 municipal election. The Republican caucus is scheduled for Thursday, July 22 at 7 p.m. in the Granby Senior Center Community Room. The regular Democratic Town Committee meeting called for the purpose of endorsing candidates will be Thursday, July 22, with a potluck at 6 p.m., and the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Holcomb Farm.
The municipal ballot will have openings for 10 different boards and offices, with over 30 candidates expected to run, including Board of Selectmen and Board of Education seats. Following the major parties’ caucuses, if any positions have a contested party nomination, the candidate(s) not chosen have the option to petition for a primary. Candidates with enough eligible signatures by Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 4 p.m. can primary for their party’s nomination on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
Political party affiliation is often confusing to new voters. In Connecticut, only registered 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. 14, so Monday, June 14, was the deadline to switch political parties to participate. You can choose to be a member of any existing political party, but only five parties are currently tracked in Granby. Totals as of June 14 are: 2,433 Democrats, 4 Greens, 123 Independents, 17 Libertarians, 2,414 Republicans and 3,119 Unaffiliated.
Voter registration is a public record, and it 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 website and the online voter registration look-up tool: dir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx There is also a link to Online Voter Registration, which is also available 24/7 to enroll, or to make name, party or address changes to an existing voter registration: voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do
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 overview (5-15 minutes) 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 to arrange this.
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 your application for an absentee ballot at least one month before the election or primary and mail your completed ballot immediately after you receive it! The application is available through the Town Clerk or online at the Secretary of State’s website: sots.ct.gov