Branford Voters: Election Day Registration Available Tuesday

Want to cast your ballot in this Tuesday's municipal elections, but forgot to register? Well, good news, Branford — it's not too late.

Election Day Registration takes effect in Connecticut for the first time during this Tuesday's municipal elections.

'Any Eligible Voter'

Any eligible voter — a U.S. citizen residing in the state age 18 or older — who wishes to cast a ballot, but has not yet registered to vote, is permitted to go to their Registrar of Voters office on Election Day, present the proper identifying documents, register to vote and cast a ballot at town hall.

Connecticut became the 11th state to enact Election Day voter registration in 2012 when Gov. Dannel Malloy signed into law Public Act 12-56, which was given final passage by the Connecticut General Assembly on May 5, 2012. 

Eligibility Requirements 

The law enacting Election Day Registration permits anyone to register and vote in person on Election Day if he or she meets the eligibility requirements for voting in this state and is either:  (1) not already a registered voter or (2) is registered in one municipality but wants to change his or her registration because he or she currently resides in another municipality.  

By law, a person is eligible to register and vote if he or she is (1) a U. S. citizen, (2) age 18 or older, and (3) a bona fide resident of the municipality in which he or she applies to register to vote.  

Registration Details

Those wishing to register and vote on Election Day must appear in person at the designated location at town or city hall and declare under oath that they have not previously voted in the election. They must complete the application for voter registration and provide documents to prove their identity and residence. 

Once the new voter is properly registered, the Registrars of voters must provide a special Election Day Registration (EDR) ballot and envelope to the voter and record its issuance to that particular voter.  

The voter must (1) declare under oath that he or she did not previously vote in the election and (2) sign an affirmation that is printed on the back of the security envelope.  The new voter must secretly mark the ballot in the presence of the registrars or their designees, place it in the EDR envelope, and deposit the envelope in a secured EDR ballot box.

Polls Open: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 5 for municipal elections in the vast majority of Connecticut cities and towns.  

Secretary Merrill encourages voters to go online at www.sots.ct.gov to find out more information about Election Day Registration.