[Note: Unofficial election results are here.]
UPDATE Dec. 22
Joshua Foley from the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission told NewCanaanite.com that the agency didn’t launch an investigation into the above-referenced matter because no complaint was lodged from any election official.
The SEEC typically starts investigations as a result of complaints from the public or based on referrals from agencies such as the Secretary of the State, Town Clerks or Registrars of Voters.
“We were informed of the event when it happened on Election Day, but it didn’t rise to the level of an official complaint from any election official, so as a result there’s no investigation,” Foley said.
UPDATE 5:15 p.m.
Town Clerk Claudia Weber said she has received a total of 1,065 returned absentee ballots. Of those, 502 were returned by Democrats, 332 by Republicans, 222 by unaffiliated voters, five by other parties and six were voided, according to Weber.
UPDATE 3 p.m.
Republican Board of Education candidates (L-R) Phil Hogan and Dan Bennett outside the polling place at Saxe Middle School on Nov. 2, 2021. Credit: Michael Dinan
We chatted with the Board of Ed candidates at polling places at New Canaan High School and Saxe Middle School today.
Republican Dan Bennett said there’s been “a lot of energy” outside the polls at the middle school.
“A lot of voters and it’s an exciting day to get out and exercise their right to vote,” he said.
Fellow GOP candidate Phil Hogan said, “We’ve been here since six in the morning. The energy was great then and it’s still great now and I hope the turnout is huge.”
Democratic Board of Education candidates (L-R) Janet Fonss, Fatou Niang and Erica Schwedel at the polling place outside New Canaan High School on Nov. 2, 2021. Credit: Michael Dinan
Democratic BOE candidate Fatou Niang said she was “excited, nervous and relieved at the same time.”
“We are finally here, so let’s get to the finish line,” Niang said.
Her fellow Democratic candidate, Janet Fonss, said the slate was “excited.”
“It’s just so good to see so many engaged voters out here,” Fonss said. “And we’re pretty confident we got the issues out and everyone is motivated to do the right thing for our kids.”
Republican Board of Education candidates Julie Toal and Hugo Alves outside the polling place at New Canaan High School on Nov. 2, 2021. Credit: Michael Dinan
Democrat Erica Schwedel said she was “thrilled to be at the finish line.
“It’s been a really closely watched race and [I’m] just happy to let our voters get out there and have their voices heard,” Schwedel said.
Republican Hugo Alves said he felt “good” about how things were going outside the polling place at NCHS.
“We’re having fun out here, just like we have during the entire campaign,” Alves said.
Democratic Board of Education candidate Jenn Hladick outside the polling place at Saxe Middle School on Nov. 2, 2021. Credit: Michael Dinan
GOPer Julie Toal said she felt the same way.
“I feel like we’ve put it all out there and we’re hoping for the best today,” Toal said.
Democrat Jenn Hladick, stationed outside Saxe, said it’s been “really fun to see how many people have come out to vote today.”
“It’s a steady stream of cars and lots of families who brought their kids to watch them vote,” Hladick said. “There’s just a lot of energy out here, so it’s been fun.”
Democratic Board of Education candidate Karen Willett outside the polling place at New Canaan High School on Nov. 2, 2021. Credit: Michael Dinan
Karen Willett, a Democrat facing off against Alves for the two-year term, said she felt “optimistic” on Election Day.
“I’m really excited,” Willett said outside the voting place at NCHS. “I think we have a good chance.”
Update 1:15 p.m.
A poll worker was removed from a position at the polling place at New Canaan High School shortly before midday following reports that she had been instructing voters. More info here.
Update 7:09 a.m.
More than 1,000 absentee ballots have been cast for this election, as Town Clerk Claudia Weber had anticipated. The 1,006 total compares to just 35 in the last municipal election (2019). The high number likely is due to rules that allow for expanded absentee voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Weber has said.
Here’s a look at hourly voter count (we’ll update this table throughout the day):
New Canaan Election 2021: Voter Turnout, Hourly Count
| Hour | Votes—2021 | Percentage of Total Voters—2021 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 to 8 p.m. | 316 | 49.36% |
| 6 to 7 p.m. | 468 | 47.08% |
| 5 to 6 p.m. | 469 | 43.73% |
| 4 to 5 p.m. | 507 | 40.08% |
| 3 to 4 p.m. | 473 | 36.45% |
| 2 to 3 p.m. | 453 | 33.21% |
| 1 to 2 p.m. | 449 | 29.79% |
| 12 to 1 p.m. | 467 | 26.56% |
| 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | 517 | 23.19% |
| 10 to 11 a.m. | 461 | 19.47% |
| 9 to 10 a.m. | 409 | 16.15% |
| 8 to 9 a.m. | 380 | 13.21% |
| 7 to 8 a.m. | 265 | 10.47% |
| 6 to 7 a.m. | 184 | 8.57% |
| Premarked absentees | 1,006 | 7.24% |
| Running total | 6,824 |
And here’s a table detailing total voter turnout in recent local elections:
New Canaan Voter Turnout, Recent Local Elections
| Year | Voter Turnout |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 5,626 |
| 2017 | 5,281 |
| 2015 | 3,674 |
| 2013 | 3,481 |
| 2011 | 2,977 |
| 2009 | 3,437 |
Original Article
New Canaan voters on Tuesday will cast ballots in a municipal election that includes contested races for Board of Education and constable. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. What follows is a digital voter guide. We’ll update this post throughout the day with information on voter turnout and check-ins with candidates.
The Electorate
New Canaan Voter Count—Nov. 1, 2021
| Total | Rep | Dem | Unaf | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Townwide | 13,889 | 5,272 | 3,672 | 4,781 | 164 |
Where To Vote
Those who reside in voting district No. 1 in New Canaan, covering the western and northern parts of town, cast ballots at New Canaan High School. All others vote at Saxe Middle School. Here’s a voting district map. And here’s a website to help find your polling location if you’re still unsure.
The Ballot
A sample ballot may be viewed here. The Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall handles all absentee ballots. According to the Connecticut Secretary of the State, Election Day registration in New Canaan will be handled on the first floor of Town Hall, where the Registrar of Voters office is located.
Who’s Running
The major contested race in this year’s local election is for Board of Education, where six total seats are up for election. Here’s a list of BOE candidates, with links to our podcasts with them (*incumbent):
Board of Education, Four-Year Term (eight running for five seats)
- Dan Bennett (R)
- Janet Fonss (D)
- Jenn Hladick (D)
- Phil Hogan (R)
- Fatou Niang (D)
- Penny Rashin* (D)
- Erica Schwedel (D)
- Julie Toal (R)
Board of Education, Two-Year Term (two running for one seat)
- Hugo Alves (R)
- Karen Willett (D)
Here’s a list of candidates for constable (*incumbents):
- Arvind Bajaj* (R)
- Jordan Cerbone (D)
- Cynthia Dul (D)
- Susan Edmands* (D)
- Jill Guzzetti (R)
- Mary Anne Mercogliano* (R)
- Nick Mitrakis (D)
- Gregory Pepe* (R)
- Ed Vollmer* (D)
NewCanaanite.com endorsements can be found here. Others appearing on the ballot include candidates for Board of Selectmen, Town Council, town clerk, town treasurer and Board of Assessment Appeals. Full biographies of all Republican candidates can be found through links here, Democrats here. (Dedicated sites for BOE slates can be found here for Republicans and here for Democrats.)
[Editor: Comments on this article will be disabled until after polls close. A sentence describing voting at NCHS was updated with clarifying information from the Democratic Town Committee. Information from the SEEC also has been to the article.]