Residents encouraged to register to vote as midterm elections draw near

<p>Organizers with the Fairfield County Community Foundation encouraged residents to register to vote as midterm elections are just six weeks away.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 25, 2018, 9:27 AM

Updated 2,032 days ago

Share:

Organizers with the Fairfield County Community Foundation encouraged residents to register to vote as midterm elections are just six weeks away.
A voter registration breakfast was held Tuesday morning at the Darien YWCA.
The push comes as part of National Voter Registration Day because several major seats are up for grabs in November, including for governor.
Ty Skarupa, of Norwalk, says she is 50 years old and has never voted in an election.
"I didn't follow and educate myself," she says. "I feel that it is a choice now to show my daughter that we have a voice."
Skarupa registered to vote during the breakfast.
Volunteers are expected to go door-to-door, make phone calls and encourage people to register at barbecues, arts and crafts fairs and other events. They say they're hoping to reach more than 5,000 people.
Organizers also ensured under-represented groups would get their voices heard by giving 18 non-partisan organizations $1,000 each.
They say the money will be used for voter registration efforts and is part of their first annual "Get Out the Vote" initiative.
"It's important to help people understand how important their voice is," says Fairfield County Community Foundation President Juanita James. "So many people think 'It doesn't matter,' but they need to understand their vote counts!"
The YWCA in Darien also received $1,000.
"People will register, but then you have to do something with that, you have to take action and take those next steps and actually get out to the polls to vote," says Judy Phillips of the YWCA.
Residents have until Oct. 30 to register to vote in person, by mail or online. Voting registration is also possible on Election Day.
For a complete list of 'Get Out and Vote' events, click HERE.


More from News 12
1:31
Darien officials oppose proposed dispensary on Darien-Stamford border

Darien officials oppose proposed dispensary on Darien-Stamford border

1:57
Mostly cloudy skies, light showers and cold temperatures in Connecticut

Mostly cloudy skies, light showers and cold temperatures in Connecticut

1:46
Monroe police they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

Monroe police they have person of interest in nearly 50-year-old cold case

0:24
Officials: Firefighter and occupant injured in Norwalk house fire

Officials: Firefighter and occupant injured in Norwalk house fire

0:29
Bills on magic mushrooms, ride-share transparency and 'nip' bottles will not become law

Bills on magic mushrooms, ride-share transparency and 'nip' bottles will not become law

0:20
Police: Teen shot in the head in Bridgeport last week dies from injuries

Police: Teen shot in the head in Bridgeport last week dies from injuries

0:58
Ellen Ash Peters dies at 94, was 1st woman to serve as chief justice of CT Supreme Court

Ellen Ash Peters dies at 94, was 1st woman to serve as chief justice of CT Supreme Court

3:30
Explore the classic old New England-feel in the town of Chester

Explore the classic old New England-feel in the town of Chester

2:15
Stamford HS senior receives full ride to college through golf caddie scholarship

Stamford HS senior receives full ride to college through golf caddie scholarship

0:24
Norwalk police: Miami man arrested for sexual assault after lengthy investigation

Norwalk police: Miami man arrested for sexual assault after lengthy investigation

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

0:29
Stamford police: driver involved in pedestrian crash in March faces negligent homicide charges

Stamford police: driver involved in pedestrian crash in March faces negligent homicide charges

2:33
Medical organizations push to correct racial disparities in algorithm that made Black people wait longer for kidneys

Medical organizations push to correct racial disparities in algorithm that made Black people wait longer for kidneys

2:11
Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

Milford business owner loses house and dog in fire; effort to help underway

0:21
Criminal prosecutors take over Bridgeport’s ballot fraud cases

Criminal prosecutors take over Bridgeport’s ballot fraud cases

2:13
Time running out for hundreds of bills at state Capitol

Time running out for hundreds of bills at state Capitol

1:51
Ceremony held in Greenwich to mark 1 year anniversary with Ukrainian sister city

Ceremony held in Greenwich to mark 1 year anniversary with Ukrainian sister city

0:27
Norwalk, Fairfield and Wilton fire crews assist Westport Fire Dept. in Hunt Club Lane house fire

Norwalk, Fairfield and Wilton fire crews assist Westport Fire Dept. in Hunt Club Lane house fire

0:20
Firefighter injured when truck crashes into Shelton condo

Firefighter injured when truck crashes into Shelton condo

2:24
Connecticut joins partnership to hold airlines accountable for consumer complaints

Connecticut joins partnership to hold airlines accountable for consumer complaints