Early Voting underway across Connecticut, but turnout low so far
For only the second election ever, early voting is underway across Connecticut for the Aug. 13 primaries.
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For only the second election ever, early voting is underway across Connecticut for the Aug. 13 primaries. If you’re registered to a political party, this is your chance to choose who gets on the November ballot.
But so far, registrars report low turnout.
AUGUST PRIMARIES
At Norwalk City Hall, the voting machines are out, and so are nearly a dozen election workers. Early voting runs until Sunday for August primaries.
Across the state, registered Republicans can pick between two candidates to take on Sen. Chris Murphy – Beacon Falls First Selectman Gerry Smith (the party’s endorsed candidate) and businessman Matthew Corey. If Corey wins, it will be rematch between him and Murphy.
In the Fourth Congressional District, GOP voters are choosing between two men to challenge Rep. Jim Himes – Dr. Michael Goldstein (the party’s endorsed candidate) and corporate insurance executive Bob MacGuffie.
Registered Democrats are picking candidates for various General Assembly races – including two closely-watched races in Bridgeport. In one, four Democrats are vying to replace longtime state Sen. Marilyn Moore. In the other, convicted felon Ernie Newton is attempting a political comeback against state Sen. Herron Gaston.
Unaffiliated voters cannot vote in either primary.
LOW TURNOUT EXPECTED
Low turnout is expected – but in Norwalk, it’s a good chance to practice for up 10,000 early voters in November, when early voting runs for 14 days.
“Mostly we’re doing the training, and kind of have a few more [workers] than we really need to do this one and the early one, so we’d have a lot of trained people for November,” said Stuart Wells, Norwalk’s Democratic Voter registrar.
Early voting may be more convenient, but some people just prefer it on Election Day.
“For me, it's like, something about the day,” said Emily Forcellina, of Norwalk, who is not registered to a political party. “It kind of feels a little more official and more special.”
WHERE AND WHEN
You can vote early between Monday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 11. Polls are only open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. – but Tuesday and Thursday feature extended hours, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Unlike Election Day, when polling places are usually at schools, most early voting takes places at town or city halls. Click HERE
