Election 2022

Registrar Calls for Absentee Ballot Box Camera To Address ‘Vigilante’ Citizen Concerns

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A New Canaan official responsible for voter registration and education is calling for the town to install a temporary camera with a live feed of the absentee ballot box at Town Hall in order to address the apparent concerns of some citizens. Absentee ballot box “vigilante” citizen groups appear to “suspect that nefarious goings on by one side or another are affecting the deposit of legitimate ABs [absentee ballots], and that some parties are somehow engaged in Ballot Harvesting operations,” according to Democratic Registrar of Voters John Amarilios. “I would ask that the Town, following timely advice from counsel, immediately install a temporary camera focused on the immediate area of the box and feed its output not only to a recorder but also to a live TV79 or affiliated school channel feed so that those concerned about such matters can monitor the box remotely in real-time from the safety and comfort of their homes,” Amarilios said in an email sent Saturday to the Board of Selectmen. “This would obviate the need for the presence of any such in-person observer loitering in the vicinity of Town Hall, and would eliminate any voter intimidation issues that the presence of such a person or persons might create.”

The email was addressed to the selectmen and those included as recipients included Town Clerk Claudia Weber, Republican Registrar of Voters Joan McLaughlin, Paul Sedlak and NewCanaanite.com. It wasn’t immediately clear what steps, if any, the selectmen would take in response to Amarilios’s letter.

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Registrars: 2022 Canvass of Voters Underway

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Joan McLaughlin and John A. Amarilios, your Town’s Registrars of Voters, have begun the 2022 Canvass of Voters. Under current state law, the Registrars verify and update the current addresses and continued residency of New Canaan voters using the Annual Canvass of Voters. Those voters who were reported to have moved from New Canaan, or had moved within town, or whose addresses could not be confirmed, along with those who have not voted since 2018 will receive notices. Anyone who has received a notice is asked to return the notice, in the envelope provided, confirming that they have moved out of town, that they have moved to a new address in town ( Listing the new address), or that they wish to remain on the voter registry. Parents may speak for any children who no longer reside in New Canaan, but should also advise those children to register in their new location.

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Letter: Endorsing John Amarilios for Democratic Registrar of Voters

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I am pleased to endorse John A. Amarilios for the office of New Canaan Democratic Registrar of Voters. An Attorney, John was raised in New Canaan, has long been active in the political life of New Canaan and for the past two years, has served as a petitioning third Registrar, due to a quirk in Connecticut law. No other person could be as well prepared for the office as John. The office of Registrar now requires completion of a two year certification program. During those two years, John has availed himself of every training opportunity, completing the required two year certification program and will soon be fully certified by the Secretary of The State.