Stratford Could Have 3 Registrars Depending On Election Outcome

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford could have three registrars of voters after the upcoming election. Following a primary defeat last month, Democratic registrar Rick Marcone affirmed over the weekend plans to run as a petitioning candidate.

“After discussions with family and closest supporters, and with encouragement from friends and voters from all parts of our town, I have decided to exercise my right to keep my name on the November 3rd ballot and run as a petitioning candidate for the Office of Registrar of Voters for the Town of Stratford,” Marcone said Sunday in a prepared statement.

If Marcone receives more votes in November than either major party candidate, he would qualify to serve as a third registrar, he confirmed.

Marcone has been the registrar for 12 years, but in May the Stratford Democratic Town Committee endorsed former Town Council candidate James Simon to run for the position. Marcone then petitioned to challenge Simon in a primary, which Simon handily won, with just under 70 percent of the votes.

Simon is a scholar in residence at Southern Connecticut State University. As a candidate, he has advocated for scaling back the role of registrar to part-time.

“Stratford voters have overwhelmingly endorsed my call to reduce spending on patronage jobs in the Registrar’s office, thereby saving taxpayers money,” Simon said Wednesday in an email. “So I don’t think there will be much support for someone who decides to run and potentially cost the town a third Registrar salary, plus benefits."

Republican registrar Lou DeCilio said he respected Marcone's decision and reasons for running.

“Rick has served honorably as our town's Democrat Registrar for twelve years and in a personal capacity, he's dedicated countless volunteer hours to so many charitable organizations within our community,” DeCilio said in an email.