Ask the Registrar – Stratford, CT.
Your place for answers about voting and local elections in Stratford
By Registrar of Voters James Simon (D)
Q. Why is there an election April 2nd? Can I vote in it?
A: Registered Democratic and Republican voters in Connecticut will officially endorse their party’s candidate for president in a primary election April 2nd. While there are four candidates listed on each party’s ballot, Democrat Joseph Biden and Republican Donald Trump are the overwhelming favorites to win.
To vote in a party’s primary election, you must be registered to vote as a party member. If you are Unaffiliated, you can join the party beforehand in order to cast a ballot.
Q. What are my options for voting?
A: You have three options:
You can vote at your local Stratford polling location on April 2nd, between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. To check on your registration or voting location, go to https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx
You can vote via Absentee Ballot if you meet certain conditions in Connecticut such as being sick or away on business on Election Day; for a list of conditions, see https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting You must apply for an AB, then fill it out, sign an outer envelope, and return it by 8 p.m. on Election Day. For further details, contact Town Clerk Susan Pawluk; spawluk@townofstratford.com 203-385-4020
Finally, you can take advantage of the state’s inaugural Early Voting program. You can go to the Baldwin Center (1000 West Broad St.) on Tuesday, March 26th; Wednesday, March 27th; Thursday, March 28th; and Saturday March 30th and take part in Early Voting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You fill out a ballot, place it in an envelope, and sign the outside; it will be counted on Election Day.
Q. I hate standing in line. What is the easiest way to vote?
A: In Stratford, you rarely wait for more than 10 minutes to vote at any polling location on Election Day.
It may be even easier to use an absentee ballot, where you operate on your own schedule as long as the ballot is received at Town Hall by 8 p.m. on April 2nd.
For Early Voting, we plan to have four lines available to check people in. But other states with EV have reported very long lines on Day 1, a tapering off in the middle, and then longer lines again as Election Day approaches.
Q: What will Early Voting look like in Stratford?
A: While we are still working out final details, most people will park in the Baldwin Center lot, behind the Library, and directly enter a room called The Studio which is directly accessible from the parking lot.
You will present an ID, and your name will be recorded as having voted. An election worker will generate a sticker with your name and address, place it on the outside of an envelope, and give it to you with a ballot for your particular party. You will go to a privacy booth, fill out your ballot as usual, put it inside the envelope, sign the outer envelope, and place the envelope into a white Ballot Drop mailbox at the site.
The envelopes will be counted each night by election workers from both parties, secured to avoid tampering, and brought to a Town Hall vault for safekeeping. The same process will be followed for each of the four days. The ballots will not be opened until Election Day, when they will be put through a normal vote tabulator.
Q: What if I use Early Voting and change my mind about for whom to vote?
A: You cannot change your ballot once you cast it into the Dropbox. Since you will have been recorded as having voted, you also will be blocked from trying to vote again on Election Day or via Absentee Ballot.
MORE QUESTIONS? SEND THEM TO:
James Simon
Registrar of Voters (D)
Town of Stratford
2725 Main St.
Stratford CT 06615
203 385 4049
jsimon@townofstratford.com
This is not an official publication of the Town of Stratford. (Vol. 4, No. 2; February 2024)
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
