Bethel 2019 Local Elections: Candidates, Polling Places, Hours

BETHEL, CT — Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote in Bethel's municipal election. The position of first selectman, selectman, and seats on the Board of Education, Board of Finance, Police Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission and zoning are all up for grabs.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters who are in line before 8 p.m. will be able to vote even after the deadline passes. You can find your poll location at the Secretary of the State website by inputting your information.

In Bethel, Democrat incumbent First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker faces challenges from Republican Patricia Rist and petitioning candidate William Ochs IV. For the position of selectman, Democrat Richard C. Straiton is running against Republican Paul R. Szatkowski. Voters have a choice between Democrat Pat Smithwick and Republican William I. Duff for town treasurer.

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Board of Finance

Bethel residents may vote for any three of the following candidates for the Board of Finance: Democrats Claudia Stephan and Karen Foster; and Republicans Cynthia McCorkindale, Bryan Terzian and Nicholas Ellis.

Board of Education

Voters may choose any five candidates to sit on the Board of Education. Democrats have nominated Danielle Monroe, Cathy Schaefer, Allison Jacobs Stowell and Jennie Davidson Brown. The Republican candidates are Courtney R. Martin, Frances S. Pulle, Scott Anthony Clayton, Daniel M. Nostin and William B. Foster.

Board of Assessment Appeals

The Democrats have placed Gary Passineau and Fern Blair Hart on the ballot. The Republicans are fielding Bruce Cornwell and Gerard J. Amend. Voters may select two candidates.

Zoning

Residents may vote to elect any four of the following seven candidates to the Planning & Zoning Commission: The Democrats like Robert Stowell, Gil Letellier, Rich Tibbits and Penny Kessler; the Republicans nominated Robert J. Legnard, Kenneth B. Parsons, Jr., and Francis J. Oldham. For the two available seats as Planning & Zoning Commission alternates, there are three candidates. Voters may choose two from among Democrats Ralph Stein and Rob Wallace, and Republican Linda C. Curtis. Democrat Cyndie McGuire and Republicans Melanie Ryan and Bobbi Jo Beers are all running for a seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals; voters will select two of them. Voters will also choose two candidates as ZBA alternates from Democrats Ken Kopec and Stanley Kessler, and Republicans Stephen T. Ippolito and Susan M. Dolan.

Inland Wetlands

Democrats Lou David and Pat Perrefort are running for seats on the Inlands Wetlands Commission, along with Republican Gregory S. Johnston. Voters will choose two of them. Patricia L. Sell is running unopposed for Inland Wetlands Commission alternate as a Republican.

Police Commission

Voters may choose any two candidates for the Police Commission. The Democrats are presenting Amy Mannion and Peter J. Valenti. The Republicans are fielding William H. Slifkin and Michael Duff.

Here's what the ballot will look like inside the voting booth on Tuesday.

Connecticut offers Election Day registration, but those who arrive need to be registered by 8 p.m. in order to vote.

Emergency application ballots are available for unforeseen circumstances within six days of the election.