The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 27, 2022.
Once again the state is putting the cart before the horse. There is a Constitutional question on the ballot this election concerning early voting.
Has anyone considered the costs to the towns, not to mention the feasibility of hosting temporary polling locations for a longer amount of time? In most states that have early voting, they vote by county. We have 169 towns in the state and many with two or more polls; does that mean we need to set up each polling location, one month, or one week ahead of time? Hire poll workers an extra day or two? Yes, poll workers are trained and paid. Killingworth’s polling location is the elementary school, and while most schools are closed on Election Day, early voting will require a longer-term presence at the school, as well as the additional costs of hiring police and custodial staff.
Presently you can apply for an Absentee Ballot for the following conditions: Active service in the Armed Forces of the United States; Absence from my town of residence; Sickness; Religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election, primary or referendum; Duties as a primary, election or referendum official at a place other than my own during all of the hours of voting; or physical disability. The change in the sickness excuse includes if you are a caregiver or concerned about any current viruses.
Also available is the Election Day Voter Registration available in each town for residents who forgot to register to vote.
If passed, all these questions will be answered by the Connecticut General Assembly. I would like to have more questions answered before I vote for this. VOTE NO.
Lauren K. Blaha, Republican Registrar of Voters, Killingworth
