Nearly 90,000 New Voters Register in Connecticut in Advance of Presidential Election

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill Tuesday marked National Voter Registration Day by reporting that since Jan. 1, 2012 nearly 90,000 new voters have registered in Connecticut making themselves eligible to vote in the November 6th general election, according to a press release.

In Newtown, 350 voters were added to the rolls between Jan. 1 and Sept. 24. In Newtown, according to the registrars of voters, of the approximately 27,000 residents, 16,134 are registered to vote as of Sept. 26.

Part of that jump must be attributed to voter outreach, said Democratic Registrar LeReine Frampton. She also added a presidential year sees an uptick in registrations.

"The number is a little higher than usual," said Frampton. "The jump is not as significant as it used to be though, because we try to keep people registering year-round."

Newtown voter totals:

Party Total Democrats 4,349 Republicans 5,206 Unaffiliated 6,655
Other 274

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Merrill also marked the day by outlining an unprecedented effort to turn the 2012 Presidential election into a teachable moment for Connecticut primary and secondary school students. 

The Connecticut Election Project – launched this fall by Secretary Merrill – has developed a multi-faceted curriculum for elementary through high school teachers to involve students in the many lessons to be learned through the election process. 

From the science of public opinion polling to voter trends, media and money in politics and the administration of elections – dozens of teachers from across the state have been using the elections to teach their students these lessons playing out in real-time.  Information on the project is online at www.sots.ct.gov.

“Now we are coming into the time of year when many people are beginning to focus on the critical questions facing our country and our state as we head to the polls on November 6th,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “We can see that nearly 2,000,000 people are registered to vote in our state with nearly 90,000 new voters since the beginning of this year.  This is going to be a big turnout election and it is critical that we reach out to the newer generation of voters through efforts like the CT Election project.  This way students can learn about elections not as history – but as events happening right in front of their very eyes.  I am very proud to mark National Voter Registration Day by strengthening our efforts to improve civic education.  And Eligible voters in Connecticut should know: you still have until October 30th to register for the Presidential election.  Make sure your voice is heard – register to vote today!”

Since January 1, 2012, more than 89,823 new voters have registered in Connecticut.  As was the case in 2008, young people (18-29 years-old) represent the largest group of new voters in the state with 39,277 registering so far this year.  Currently, there are 1,992,285 active registered voters in Connecticut.  Among newly registered voters some 30,736 registered as Democrats and 17,115 registered as Republicans, while 39,602 registered as unaffiliated.  The Office of the Secretary of the State maintains an aggressive voter registration program working closely with community groups, high schools, universities and others to expand civic involvement among Connecticut residents.

Secretary Merrill encourages voters to go online to www.sots.ct.gov to find out if they are registered to vote and where their polling place is located.  Absentee ballots will also become available to registered Connecticut voters by October 5, 2012.  Polls will be open for the Presidential election from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on November 6, 2012.

To register to vote in Newtown

You must meet the following requirements:

• be a U.S. Citizen,

• a resident of Newtown,

• and be at least 17 years old (must turn 18 before primary/Election day)

Any resident who meets the above requirements may register to vote any weekday in person at either the ROV Office or the Town Clerk Office in Town Hall.