Registrars

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own Moderator Patty Sansone (right) was ably assisted by Diane Hernsdorf at the April 25 Budget Referendum. Both have been leading the polling place crews since 2014.

Petitions

Multiple candidates vied for their party’s nomination at the May State Conventions of both Democrats and Republicans that chose their nominees for the Nov. 8 ballot. Unsuccessful candidates for the Republican nominations for both U.S. Senate and Connecticut Secretary of State races, and Democratic nominations for Connecticut Secretary of State and Treasurer races, have declared their intent to primary because they attained the required 15 percent of their convention votes. These candidates still need to file paperwork with the Secretary of State to officially primary for their party nomination on Aug. 9.

Another option to primary for a major party nomination is the successful collection of primary petition papers. Forms to primary petition were available from the Secretary of State beginning on April 26. After filing with the Secretary of State, potential candidates who did not qualify at their party’s convention must collect signatures from at least 2 percent of their party membership to qualify for statewide and regional offices. The deadline to return petition pages is June 7. There will be a special voter registration session on Tuesday, June 7 between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Registrar of Voters office in Granby Town Hall.

Only registered party members can sign their party’s primary petitions. Unaffiliated registered voters cannot participate unless they change their voter registration to sign up with a major party prior to signing the petition. To be eligible to vote in the primary, unaffiliated voters must register with a major party by noon the day before the primary. Also, please note that petition pages are organized exclusively by the voter’s town of registration. Granby registered voters must use petition pages designated for Granby.

Party affiliation

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 should you choose to switch political parties.

To participate in the Aug. 9 primary, unaffiliated voters must register with a party by noon, Aug. 8. May 9 was the deadline to switch political party. Membership in a political party is free and carries no obligations. All voters can vote for any candidate they choose during elections, regardless of party affiliation, but primaries are exclusively for party members to choose their nominee. You can choose to be a member of any political party that exists, but in Granby only six parties are currently tracked by the state’s computerized voter registration system.

As of May 14, party membership in Granby was: 2,412 Democrats, 4 Greens, 119 Independents, 17 Libertarians, 2,374 Republicans and 2 Working Families. With 3,117 Unaffiliated voters, the grand total of registered voters is 8,045.

Absentee Ballot

Absentee Ballots are handled exclusively through the Town Clerk’s office and voters must send in an application to receive an absentee ballot. For primaries and general November elections, send in an application for your absentee ballot at least one month before the election or primary and return 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 The state legislature expanded the use of absentee voting this year to allow anyone concerned about illness, such as COVID, to vote by absentee ballot.

Pollworkers are needed

Pollworkers will be needed for the Gubernatorial election on Nov. 8 and the state primary on Aug. 9. The Registrars’ office is compiling a list of poll workers. Poll workers can be volunteers or paid, must be at least 16 years old and can choose to serve full or half days to fit their schedules. Poll worker training is required to serve. Although specific schedules have not been posted, training will begin this summer and continue into the fall. If you would like to be added to the list, please email the registrars at:  registrarofvoters@granby-ct.gov

National Voter Registration Day is Sept. 27

The Registrars are looking forward to teaming up with the high school for an event for the incoming class of seniors to encourage voter registration. In the past, town committees, boards and local candidates have headlined forums to discuss democracy and the importance of voter registration. The Registrars are looking for volunteers to help with this important task. If you would like to help, please email the registrars at: registrarofvoters@granby-ct.gov

Calendar Review

Absentee Ballot Applications are being collected now by the Town Clerk for those who know they will be away from home on Aug. 9 and/or Nov. 8. The form is available at Town Hall or on the web at sots.ct.gov

Tuesday, June 7, 1 to 4 p.m., will be the special voter registration session and deadline for filing petition papers for an August primary at Registrars’ Office in Town Hall.

Monday, Aug. 8 at noon is the deadline for new or unaffiliated voters to register in a major party to vote in the primary.

Tuesday, Aug. 9 is the State primary, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Granby Town Hall.

Voter registration is a public record. You can confirm your voter registration by going on the State’s website or stopping by the Town Hall to check the voter registry. You can stop by to register to vote, figure out which is your voting district or make corrections in person at the Registrars’ Office in the Town Hall every Wednesday. Regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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 or lwolfe@granby-ct.gov or ssmith@granby-ct.gov

Pollworkers and voters at the Budget Referendum. Photos by Stephanie McGuire