CT Democratic, Republican Primaries Aug. 9: 5 Things To Know

CONNECTICUT — Registered Republicans and Democratic voters will head to the polls Aug. 9 to decide which candidates will advance to the Nov. 8 election.

Two statewide constitutional officer positions have turned into open races for both major parties. Former Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced earlier this year she wouldn’t seek re-election; she resigned in late June to care for her ailing husband.

State Treasurer Sean Wooden announced he wouldn’t seek re-election in order to spend more time with his family.

Registered Republicans will also get to decide who will challenge incumbent Sen. Richard Blumenthal in November.

Former State Comptroller Kevin Lembo resigned late last year due to an ongoing medical condition. His remaining term is being filled by Natalie Braswell, who announced she won’t run for state comptroller in November. Democratic State Rep. Sean Scanlon will face off against Republican West Hartford Town Councilor Mary Fay in November.

Here are five things to know about the Connecticut primaries:

How to check registration status and register to vote.

People can check their registration and party status online. The Secretary of the State also offers online voter registration.

Mail-in voter registration is also allowed, and registration can be done in-person at the local registrar of voters office.

The Department of Motor Vehicles also offers customers the opportunity to register to vote or update their registration details when they visit an office.

Connecticut doesn’t offer same-day voter registration for primaries. The deadline to register is noon, Aug. 8 to vote in the primary.

Mail-in registrants should try and get their applications to the registrar of voters or Department of Motor Vehicles by Aug. 4. The agencies will accept applications so long as they are postmarked before Aug. 4, and received by noon Aug. 8.

Who is on the Republican ballot?

The two statewide primaries are for U.S. Senate and Secretary of the State.

The candidates for the U.S. Senate primary are:

• Themis Klarides (nominated at convention)
• Leora Levy
• Peter Lumaj

The candidates for secretary of the state are:

• Dominic Rapini (nominated at convention)
• Terrie Wood

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Who is on the Democratic ballot?

Primaries are for secretary of the state and state treasurer.

Secretary of the state:

• Stephanie Thomas (nominated at convention)
• Martiza Bond

Treasurer:

• Erick Russell (nominated at convention)
• Dita Bhargava
• Karen DuBois-Walton

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What are voting hours for the primary, and what are the absentee ballot rules?

Voting hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Connecticut has reverted to its relatively strict absentee ballot rules. Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill into law earlier this year that clarified reasons for voting absentee. The new law makes it easier for out-of-town commuters and caretakers to qualify for an absentee ballot.

Can voters switch parties to vote in the primary?

The last day to transfer parties to vote in a primary was May 9. Unaffiliated voters can enroll with a party by noon Aug. 8 to vote in the primary, so long as they haven’t been affiliated with another party in the past three months.