The Who? What? And Where? Of the 2023 Town Election
By Registrar Of Voters James Simon (D)
Q: WHO?
A: There are 34,000 Stratford voters eligible to vote in the municipal election on November 7th. Turnout is much lower in municipal elections, and we project little more than a quarter of eligible voters will cast a ballot (compared to 70%+ in a presidential election).
Q: WHAT?
A: On Tuesday, voters will choose among candidates for Town Council, Board of Education, Land Use Boards like planning and zoning, and Constable. The mayor’s office is NOT up for reelection until 2025.
Q. WHERE?
A:  The town’s 10 traditional voting locations are https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx
The voting locations for 1,754 registered voters were changed this year due to redistricting. You can double check your location (and whether you are registered to vote) here: ttps://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx
Q: WHEN?
A: The town’s 10 voting locations will all be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
If eligible, you also can vote by Absentee Ballot, which can be obtained from the Town Clerk. All ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday in order to be counted. The best method of last-minute voting by AB is to deposit it before 8 p.m. Tuesday in the white Ballot Drop Box alongside Town Hall, across from the Fire Station.
Q: HOW?
A: If you are not registered to vote ahead of time, you can do so on Election Day itself by coming to the Town Council Chamber, 2725 Main St., for Election Day Registration. Same hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will be able to also cast your ballot at Town Hall as part of the process.
Q: WHY?
A: Town elections are where voters choose the municipal leaders who set the tax rate, decide how much to spend on schools, and supervise town departments from police and fire to public works and public health. Most municipal elections are decided by 30 to 50 votes; in 2021, we had town elections that were decided by 1, 2 and 8 votes.
Turnout may be lower because people haven’t been bombarded by political TV ads, as they are for presidential and gubernatorial elections, and they don’t feel qualified to make a decision. Both the Stratford Crier and the Stratford Patch publish online voter guides that might be useful for voters who want to learn more about candidates.
MORE QUESTIONS? SEND THEM TO STRATFORD REGISTRAR JAMES SIMON; jsimon@townofstratford.com. This is not an official publication of the Town of Stratford. (Vol. 3, No. 11; November 2023)
James Simon
Registrar of Voters (D)
Town of Stratford, 2725 Main St.
Stratford, CT 06615
203 385 4049;Â jsimon@townofstratford.com
To register to vote;Â change your name, address and/or party affiliation; or enroll in a political party:Â 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:Â Â Connecticut Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal
