This week on 0684-Radi0, our free weekly podcast (subscribe here in the iTunes Store), we talk to Kathleen Corbet, a member of the League of Women Voters of New Canaan, about the number of candidates running for local office this year, how they’re elected to their various seats, what the ballot itself looks like (a sample is embedded below as a PDF) and recent changes to New Canaan’s Charter.
Here’s a FAQ from the League:
How many candidates can I vote for?
For First Selectman, you can choose 1.
For Selectman, you can choose 1.
For Town Council, you can choose any number up to 6. You don’t have to choose 6; in other words, there is no penalty for voting for fewer than 6. For instance, it’s okay to just vote for 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 candidates—as long as you don’t exceed a total of 6.
For Board of Education, you can choose any number up to 4. Again, you don’t have to choose 4. It’s okay to just vote for 1 or 2 or 3—as long as you don’t exceed a total of 4.
For Board of Assessment Appeals, you can choose any number up to 2. Again, you don’t have to choose 2; it’s okay to just vote for 1—as long as you don’t exceed a total of 2.
For Constables, you can choose any number up to 4. Again, you don’t have to choose 4. It’s okay to just vote for 1 or 2 or 3—as long as you don’t exceed a total of 4.
How are winners for Selectman counted?
In a nutshell, the top vote-getter for First Selectman becomes First Selectman. Then, looking at all the rest of the First Selectman and Selectman candidates, the 2 top vote-getters from that set of 3 people become Selectmen.
Can I see a sample ballot?
Yes! Go to our town website, newcanaan.info, click Government, then Town Clerk, then November 5, 2019 sample ballot. Here’s the link: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/Town_Ballots/2019/Election/New-Canaan-Nov-2019.pdf?la=en
How do I get an absentee ballot?
Absentee voting is a two-step process. First, you must fill out an Absentee Ballot Application and return it to the Town Clerk. Applications are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall, 77 Main Street, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 3:30 pm or online: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SOTS/ElectionServices/ElectForms/electforms/aabengpdf.pdf?la=en
Upon receipt and approval of the application, a ballot will either be handed to you in person or it will be sent to you as soon as State Law allows.
Second, you must execute your ballot and return it to the Town Clerk by the close of polls in order for your vote to count. Absentee ballot applications for New Canaan residents, as well as the ballots themselves, should be returned by mail to Town Clerk, P.O. Box 447, New Canaan, CT 06840, or by hand to the Town Clerk at Town Hall, 77 Main Street. Contact telephone number: 203-594-3070.
What is the deadline for registering to vote?
Applicants may register to vote up to 7 days prior to the election. The deadline for registering to vote in person, by mail, online, or through the DMV is TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29th, 2019. Only those who become citizens, turn 18, or move to New Canaan between that date and the November 5th election may register in person after that date. Registrars are in Town Hall, 77 Main Street, telephone 203-594-3060, open Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4:30pm and by appointment.
Can I vote on Election Day if I’m not registered to vote?
The State of Connecticut has Election Day Registration and voting on November 5, 2019. Election Day Registration and voting will be available in the Registrar’s Office in Town Hall, 77 Main Street, on November 5th. Applicants are strongly advised to register before the deadline to avoid the inconvenience and any delay. Telephone 203-594-3060.
Where do I go to vote?
Residents in Voting District 1 (West of Smith Ridge Road, and Valley Road north of Ferris Hill, and west of South Avenue below Elm Street) vote at New Canaan High School, 11 Farm Road.
Residents in Voting Districts 2 and 3 vote at Saxe Middle School, 468 South Avenue.
Polls are open from 6:00 am – 8:00 pm. See the voting districts map here: https://www.newcanaan.info/Departments/Registrar%20of%20Voters/Voting%20District%20Map.pdf
No Title
No Description
Here are recent episodes of 0684-Radi0: