Ready for Election Day 2010?

With less than a month til Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 2, there is still time for Bethel residents to become a registered voter, request an absentee ballot or have any election day questions answered. 

Per Connecticut state law, non-registered voters can register in person at the Clifford J. Municipal Center now until Tuesday, Oct. 26, one week prior to the elections. Mail-in registrations, however, need to be sent in or post-marked to the Registrar of Voters two weeks before Election Day, on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Mary Legnard, the Republican registrar, and Mary O'Leary, the Democrat registrar, will have extended office hours specifically for voter registration on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a day when the office is normally closed. Instead of closing at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 26, it will also remain open till 8 p.m. for residents to register in person. Legnard said people must have a form of identification to register, such as a driver's licence.

O'Leary said the office also handles minor party registration such as the Independent, Libertarian or Green parties. Out of a population of more than 18,000, she said approximately 11,166 Bethel residents are registered voters in more than 11 political parties. 

"A great source to answer any voter question is  Vote EZ CT," O'Leary said.

According to Town Clerk Lisa Bergh, her office will also be open Saturday, Oct.3o, for residents to fill out absentee ballots. Request forms for mailed out ballots (a good option for college students) can also be found on the town's website.  

Residents who are already prepared to vote in person on Nov. 2 can also familiarize themselves with their district's ballot form here, as well as double check their polling place here. Members of the Democratic, Republican, Independent and Pro-Bethel parties can find the name of their local party chairman here.