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10/11/2016 12:00 AMTown clerks offices in Deep River, Chester, and Essex have been preparing for the election season, registering voters and sending out absentee ballots as of Oct. 7.
Chester Town Clerk Debra Calamari reported 67 absentee ballot requests, as of Oct. 6, a number she called “higher than usual” for the town. This figure does not include blanks or overseas ballots.
“The presidential election always has requests for overseas ballots, and blank ballots for the military,” said Calamari, citing an increase of 125 to 150 requests, with more expected to come in. “The municipal election, people just don’t seem to care about as much, they don’t seem to think that it impacts their lives as much.”
She also noted that this election cycle seems to have sparked an increase in overall engagement, especially around the primary season, where the office saw an increase in registration and changing of party affiliations prior to the primary elections. As of Sept. 7 Deep River had 3,541 registered voters out of a possible 4,500.
Deep River Town Clerk Amy Winchell also noted an increase in registration for absentee ballots, but thought it typical of past presidential elections, possibly even a slightly lower level of registration than in the past. As of Oct. 6, there were 40 registrants for absentee ballots, but that number is expected to increase this month.
Deep River also saw a number of people change or attempt to change party affiliation in order to participate in the primary election, whether changing from being unaffiliated to joining a party, or changing their party altogether. There were also a number of people who reverted back to their prior party affiliation or unaffiliated status after the primary election.
“Unfortunately there were many people who did not realize how far in advance they had to register with a party to participate in the primary election,” said Winchell, “so there were also a number of people who intended to either register or change affiliation with the intent of voting in the primary elections but were not able to do so.”
Winchell noted that the Secretary of the State’s Office has noted a dramatic increase in overall voter registration this election cycle. Towns around the state, including Deep River, Chester, and Essex, have gone to what she called a “tremendous effort” to make sure that residents know how to register to vote, or check their registration status.
“Residents can check their status online and register if they are not already,” said Winchell. “Or, if it is easier, they can call their Town Clerk or Registrar of Voters.”
This year, voters will also be able to take advantage of Election Day Registration, also known as Same Day Voter Registration, should they show up at their polling place and find that they are not registered. Residents will have to leave the polling place, and go to a designated room by a separate entrance, where they will be able to register and then return to the polling place and vote. This is mandatory at all polling places across the state.
Asked if she thought these efforts would impact voter turnout, Winchell said, “Personally, I think there will be lower than usual voter turnout, especially in this area where there are many people unaffiliated and people seem to be unhappy with either choice. But that being said, I was at a Connecticut town clerk association conference where the general expectation was that a higher turnout would be seen because many people are very upset.”
Essex Town Clerk Joel Marz noted that four years ago the town issued more than 500 absentee ballots, where as of Oct. 6 only 152 had been requested. Essex Registrar of Voters John Heiser (R) noted that voter registration was up, though Essex did not see the same party change pattern during the primary season that Deep River and Chester observed. Both Marz and Heiser credited the uptick in registration at least partially to the information available on the town website, and the signs reminding residents to check their registration status and register outside of Essex Town Hall and the Essex Elementary School.
Registering to Vote
Voter registration forms are available at the Department of Motor
Vehicles, local town halls, and the Secretary of the State website
sots.ct.gov.
Chester Registrars of Voters
Leslie Holbrook (D)
Tracey Ohaus(R)
860-526-0013, Ext. 211
Deep River Registrars of Voters
Dale Winchell (R)
Hadley Kornacki (D)
860-526-6059
Essex Registrars of Voters
John Heiser (R)
Lois Ely (D)
860-767-4340 x142
To Receive an Absentee Ballot
Absentee ballots are administered by each municipalities’ town
clerk’s office.
Chester Town Clerk Debra Germini Calamari, 860-526-0013,
Ext. 511
Deep River Town Clerk Amy Macmillan Winchell,
860-526-6024
Essex Town Clerk Joel Marzi, 860-767-4340 Ext. 129