By Kate Wessling and Gigi Simko
(May 6, 2024) — During the month of May, the Democratic and Republican Town Committees have the responsibility of nominating and endorsing registered voters for Justice of the Peace and Registrar of Voters. This includes those currently serving as Justices of the Peace and Registrars of Voters who wish to continue for another four-year term.
Any registered Democrat or Republican who wishes to become a “JP” or run for Registrar can self-nominate. A vote by members of the respective town committees determines who is endorsed during a town committee meeting.
At this point, the process for JP’s and Registrars diverges. Once endorsed, prospective JP’s submit paperwork to the Town Clerk, who swears them in. On the other hand, endorsed Registrar nominees are added to the November ballot. By law, the town is required to have one Democrat and one Republican Registrar. Another potential candidate could challenge the endorsed Registrar by petitioning to be on the ballot.
The town is allowed a large number of JP’s, one third of whom are Democrats, one third are Republicans, and one third may be unaffiliated voters or registered with a minor party. Unaffiliated and minor party candidates can apply directly to the Town Clerk to become JP’s.
Justices of the Peace have many duties. They can perform weddings, administer (some) oaths and take (some) affidavits. A complete list of responsibilities is available at the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s website at https://portal.ct.gov/sots.
Registrars of Voters are required to take and pass a course of study through the University of Connecticut and complete it within the first two years of work. Registrars run elections and referendums, train poll workers, maintain records and voter registrations, update emergency management, maintain equipment and complete continuing education. Additional information can be found at the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s website at https://portal.ct.gov/sots.
The Haddam Republican Town Committee will convene on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, and the Haddam Democratic Town Committee on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Meetings start at 7:00 pm and are held at the Haddam Volunteer Firehouse Community Hall at 439 Saybrook Road in Higganum.
