New Website–Get My AB–is available until Nov. 3
In 2022 every registered voter can choose to apply for an absentee ballot if they are concerned about sickness, however the applications were not automatically sent out as in 2020. If you already applied for an absentee ballot, you should have received your ballot in the mail. You must drop your completed ballot in the drop box in front of Town Hall before Election Day. Any ballots dropped on Election Day will not be counted until it has been verified the voter has not also voted in person at the polls.
If you haven’t applied yet, you can complete an absentee application with a new website that uses your electronic signature from the DMV. The program is “Get My AB” and is found at: portal.ct.gov/SOTS. The Town Clerk will immediately receive it, but plan to wait for the processing. This option closes at midnight on Nov. 3.
Carefully read the instructions and drop your completed ballot in the official ballot drop box. Use both envelopes provided. If you are a brand-new voter who has never shown ID, you need to enclose a copy of proof of ID in the outer envelope—the inner envelope is just for your ballot.
Completed absentee ballots received before the close of polls on the day of the election will be counted after ensuring that only one vote is cast. 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.
Do not bring absentee ballots to the polls, the polling place is exclusively for in-person voting.
Voter Registration Deadlines
There is still a seven-day Voter Registration Deadline, whether by mail, online or in person. The Registrars provide a last chance opportunity to register to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Seventeen-year-olds who will be 18 by Nov. 8 can register to vote. You must be a US citizen to register to vote. It is easy to confirm or change your voter registration online 24/7. The Town of Granby’s website has links available to connect you to the SOTS’s Online Voter Registration system for either option.
Top three reasons for rejection of Absentee Ballots in Granby
Forgetting to use both envelopes, forgetting to sign the 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 to whom the ballot was issued. Family members and those with power of attorney cannot vote a ballot for someone else.
Received after Election Day. Only ballots received by the Town Clerk by 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 will be counted. There is no grace period, no check of postmarks after Nov. 8.
Sample Ballots for District 1 and District 2 are available on the town website and the state website.
Verify you are Registered Before Going to the Polls
Voters need to be aware that voter registration is nontransferable. If you moved recently, you need to register at your new address. Currently there is a seven-day registration deadline, whether it is done online, mail-in or in-person. There are a few cut off exceptions, for brand new residents (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 check your registration, to ensure your right to vote.
Calendar Review
Official Drop Box for Ballots and Applications is open 24/7 in front of Town Hall.
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Deadline to Post Mark a Mail-In Registration
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Last Day to Register to vote in person
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Voter Registration Session Registrars office in Town Hall from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 2: Filing of Certified Voter Registry List with the Town Clerk
Monday, Nov. 7: Last Day to Register for Brand New Residents, Military, Handicap
Monday, Nov. 7: Voter Registration Session Registrars office in Town Hall from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 8: Polls Open 6 a.m.–8 p.m. HS Community Gym
Tuesday, Nov. 8: Election Day Registration at Town Hall, 15 North Granby Road 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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, (our regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 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: www.sots.ct.gov
Sample Ballot District 1
Sample Ballot District 2
Connecticut Allow for Early Voting Amendment
The Connecticut Allow for Early Voting Amendment is a question on the ballot in Connecticut as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment on Nov. 8.
A “yes” vote supports amending the state constitution to authorize the state legislature to provide by law for in-person early voting before an election.
A “no” vote opposes amending the state constitution, thereby maintaining that early voting is not authorized in the state.
One Polling Site for the Election
For the Gubernatorial Election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. All Granby residents will vote in the Granby Community Gym, located in Granby Memorial High School in the center of town. Traffic is anticipated to be heavy. Access the gym will be from the high school’s entrance off North Granby Road–Route 189, next to Public Works. Voters will leave the polls from Salmon Brook Street –Route 10/202, next to the Middle School. All Granby schools will be closed on Election Day. The Registrars strongly recommend voting between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if you have the option to do so, as the heaviest voting will be between 6 and 10 a.m., and the second rush will be between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Expect an outside line
When you come to the polls be prepared to wait, be patient, wear a mask and dress warmly—it may take extra time to cast votes, especially with 10 races. We expect 5,000 and 6,000 people will be voting.
To speed check in at the polls, please have a photo ID handy. Should you not have a photo ID, there is a form to swear and attest your identity to fill out at the Moderator’s table IF you have previously proven your ID. With no federal offices, provisional ballots are not available.
Voting is by District, and alphabetical by street. Not sure which district you are in? Residents in the southwest corner of Granby, roughly 6 percent of the town, live in District 2. Check in the lobby for the short street list.
Parking will be an issue with longer voting times
We are anticipating over 300 cars per hour, so please be patient. All voters must enter using the North Granby Road/ Route 189 entrance next to Public Works and exit using the Salmon Brook Street/ Route 10/202 exit, next to the Middle School.
IVS Ballot Marking System is available for everyone
A touch screen voting option is available for those who have trouble using a pen, or seeing the ballot. This system can also read aloud the ballot to a voter, allowing everyone to vote privately and independently. It is a printer ballot marking system which fills the ovals as requested by the voter. In addition to the touch screen and audio ballot options, the Registrars have added an adaptive button and SNP (Sip and Puff) option to aid voters who would like to be able to cast a ballot privately and independently.
Election Day Registration at Town Hall
Same day registration, also known as Election Day Registration is available at Town Hall, for eligible US 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. The data entry and crosstown check take time, 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. Voters can prefill their voter registration form online prior to and on Election day: voterregistration.ct.gov
Questions? Please feel free to contact the registrars, Laura Wolfe and Paul Willis, at 860-844-5322 or registrarofvoters@granby-ct.gov