Voters being checked off before casting ballots in Derby City Hall.
VALLEY – About 11,500 people in the lower Naugatuck Valley cast ballots so far during the first “early voting” period in Connecticut.
Early voting in advance of Election Day (Nov. 5) started on Oct. 21.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, as of Oct. 29, 438,113 Connecticut voters cast early ballots.
Here’s a look at the early voting numbers locally:
* Ansonia: 1,423 people
* Beacon Falls: 814
* Derby: 756
* Oxford: 2,201
* Seymour: 1,746
* Shelton: 4,658
Registered voters can still cast early ballots until Sunday (Nov. 3).
Voting hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with hours extended to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31). The polling place locations for early voting are different from where voters normally cast ballots on Election Day. Click here to find out where to cast ballots in your town.
For more information related to all things early voting, click here.
“The process has been very smooth,” said John Feddern, Ansonia’s Democratic Registrar of Voters.“Voters seem genuinely happy that they have the opportunity to vote early. It’s been a steady stream.”
In Ansonia, there are approximately 11,200 registered voters. Ansonia voters have been casting ballots in the community room at the Hilltop Hose Co., 80 Pulaski Highway.
Feddern said the most often asked question is, “What happens to the ballots once they are deposited in the ballot box?”
Feddern said that after the voter completes their ballot, they place it in an envelope and fill out the information required on the envelope (name/address/date/signature). The envelope is then examined by a poll attendant to be sure it is filled out correctly and the envelope is sealed.
Ballots are being stored in a fireproof safe in Ansonia City Hall until Election Day (Nov. 5).
According to the State Secretary’s Office, early voting ballots cannot be opened until 6 a.m. on Election Day (Nov 5). Then, the ballots will be fed into tabulators and counted.
In neighboring Derby, Democratic Registrar of Voters Louise Pitney and Republican Registrar of Voters Tom Lionetti reported no issues with early voting.
“It’s been steady, no problems,” Pitney told the Valley Indy.
In Derby, there are about 6,900 registered voters. Early ballots are being cast at the Registrar’s Office at Derby City Hall, 1 Elizabeth St.
Next door in Seymour, Republican Registrar of Voters Elise Woods and Democratic Registrar of Voters John Selma have also reported a “very smooth” early voting process. The main questions from voters have been about where votes are stored.
“Voters wonder about the storage and counting of ballots,” Woods said. “The ballots are secured in a vault each evening and will be counted on Election Day. Voters are generally very happy with the process and availability of early voting.”
Seymour has about 11,500 registered voters. Early voting can be done at the Registrar’s Office in Seymour Town Hall, 1 First St.
In Beacon Falls, Oxford and Shelton, the number of registered voters in those towns are 4,500, 9,795 and 31,781, respectively, according to the registrars in those towns.
Of the towns in this article, Oxford has recorded the highest turnout, with 22.5 percent of registered voters having cast a ballot so far. Derby ranks lowest in turnout, with 11.0 percent of voters having cast a ballot.
Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas held a press conference on Monday (Oct 28), stressing that election security is a high priority.
“We are working tirelessly to make sure our elections are secure,” Thomas said in a story reported by Connecticut News Junkie. “But we need members of the public to speak up and report issues when they see something.”
To report any concerns about election interference or any other issues at the polls – for early voting or on Election Day – call the SEEC elections hotline at 1 – 866-733‑2463.
