Early voting is brisk in Brookfield

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD – Once while speaking at a rally for then-U.S. Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-5) of New Britain, famed U.S. Sen. John McCain closed his remarks by jokingly asking the audience to “to vote early and often.”

“Often” was and still is illegal. Early wasn’t available then before 6 a.m. on election day, but now that it has come to Connecticut it has received a Siskel & Ebert Two Thumbs Up from appreciative residents.

Brookfield Selectman Bob Belden, the moderator for early voting in District 1, said, “It is quick. There are very few lines. The only time we have lines is first thing in the morning.”

Former Board of Education Chairman Matt Grimes, who is the head moderator, said as of Saturday, October 26, at 3 p.m., more than 2,200 residents had voted in less than six full days of early voting.

Grimes, who sought the Republican nomination for first selectman last year, added that the Town Clerk’s office had reported more than 900 absentee ballots had been mailed and “many have come back.”

“As the news media has reported on it and people are posing on social media, it is becoming in vogue as the thing to do,” he commented.

Largely through the efforts of Democrat Denise Merrill, who served for three terms as Secretary of the State, early voting cleared its final hurdle two years ago with rank-and -file approval.

Belden said since it began on Monday, October 21, voters have said that, “We just love this. It is on my schedule, not on a single day.”

Grimes said there are about 13,300 voters registered in Brookfield he expects “a 90 percent turnout” this year.

Early voting will continue at the Town Hall through Sunday, November 3. The regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Grimes said that verification has been easy and there also is an area for first-time voters to do same-day registration. He said that a per day average of “four to five” first-time voters have taken advantage of same-day registration.

Paula Hopewell is the moderator in District 2 and Tom Keller in District 3.

However, critics have said that early voting is flawed because someone could cast their ballot and then a subsequent event before election day might have altered how they voted.

Remarked Grimes, “There are very few people who have not made up their minds at this point.” He added that if a voter is unsure about whom to vote for, they can wait until election day.”

He said based on data from other states, there probably will be a surge of early voters the final weekend before election day.

He said frequently he has heard voters say, “I gave this a try and this is the way I’m going to vote from now on.”