Your place for answers about voting and local elections
By Registrar Of Voters James Simon (D)
March 2025
Q: I voted in Stratford’s Special Election in February. Who won?
A: Voters in Stratford, Shelton, Seymour and Monroe went to the polls February 25 to select a successor to state Sen. Kevin Kelly, who resigned to accept a state judgeship. In Stratford, the Democratic candidate, Anthony Afriyie, received 58% of the vote, but Republican state Rep. Jason Perillo of Shelton won a plurality in the other municipalities, making him the overall winner by a 53%-47% margin.
Q: Is there an election in Stratford this year?
A: There is an election every year in Connecticut; in odd numbered years like 2025, the ballot has candidates for municipal positions. Voters will fill such town positions as Mayor, Town Council, Board of Education, Planning Commission, Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.
We expect a 35%-38% turnout, compared to the 75% turnout in the 2024 presidential election in Stratford.
Q: When do we find out the names of this year’s candidates?
A: The Town Committee for each political party meets between July 15-22 and endorses candidates. Once an endorsement is made, if a party member wants to challenge the party’s choice, the challenger can obtain petition forms from the ROV office and try to collect enough valid signatures of party members by August 6 to force a primary election. The primary would be held Tuesday September 9th; Early Voting would start September 2.
Q: Do we always have Early Voting from now on?
A: Close to 40% of Stratford voters have voted early in the last three elections, showing the popularity of Early Voting. We assume it is here to stay, although the Legislature is looking at whether there needs to be 14 days of EV before general elections in November and seven days before primary elections. One remaining issue is the cost. Despite promises for full state funding, it cost Stratford taxpayers more than $68,000 extra to pay for EV poll workers in 2024.
Q. What’s the latest on new voting machines for Stratford?
A: The state has bought new tabulators for Stratford and all Connecticut towns. We will start using them in November 2025 (or earlier if there is a September primary election).
You may not notice much of a difference as you insert your completed ballot into the tabulator, but the new machines have a larger video screen to assist a voter is there is an issue, such as an over vote, with their ballot.
The previous machines are 15+ years old, far exceeding their expected life span, and are no longer manufactured.
ELECTION QUESTIONS? SEND THEM TO:
STRATFORD REGISTRAR JAMES SIMON;
This is not an official publication of the Town of Stratford. (Vol. 5, No. 3; March 2024)
James Simon
Registrar of Voters (D)
Town of Stratford, 2725 Main St. Stratford CT 06615
203 385 4049; jsimon@townofstratford.com
- To register to vote; change your name, address and/or party affiliation; or enroll in a political party: https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR
- To check on your registration or voting location: https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx
- Our ROV website for additional information: http://www.townofstratford.com/content/39832/39846/39935/default.aspx
- Apply for an absentee ballot: Connecticut Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal
