Information for the 2017 Election
When is the Election? The Special State Election and Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Where do I vote? The polling place is located at the Lyme Town Hall, 480 Hamburg Road, Lyme, CT.
What is the Special State Election? This year, there is a Special State Election in addition to the regular Municipal Election. The office of Judge of Probate for District 33 (consisting of the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Kllingworth, Lyme, Old Saybrook), has a vacancy due to the retirement of the current Judge of Probate, Terrance Lomme. Jeannine Lewis is the Democratic candidate, and Anselmo Delia is the Republican candidate for that office.
Who is on the ballot? A sample ballot can be found here: Elections_2017_Sample Ballot
Why is the Democratic line listed above the Republican line on the ballot? The order of the party lines is dictated by the party of the sitting Governor. In this case, Governor Dannel Malloy is a Democrat, thus the Democratic line appears first on the ballot.
Why do some people’s names appear more than once for the same office? In cases where names appear on both the Democratic and Republican lines, it means that both parties endorsed those people. If you wish to vote for a person listed twice, pick one of the lines – do not vote for that person twice.
How many people may I vote for in each office? On the ballot, directly below the title of the office, it is noted how many you may vote for in that column or office.
Are there any contested offices on this ballot? There are contests for the following offices: Judge of Probate, First Selectman and Selectman. All other candidates listed on the ballot will be elected based on the openings and number of candidates.
How is that possible when, for example, Library Director says “Vote for any Two”, yet there are three names on the ballot? There are election rules and laws governing this. In the case of the Library Director example, while electors may vote for any two, three are actually elected. Thus, all three listed are elected.
If I am allowed to vote for one under First Selectman, and one under Selectman, how do we end up with a Board of Selectmen containing three people? In the case of the Board of Selectman, the top vote getter under First Selectman is elected. The person who does not win goes into the mix with the two candidates for Selectman. The top two vote getters among those three become the remaining two members of the three-member board.
When are absentee ballots available? Absentee ballots become available October 6, 2017.
How do I obtain an absentee ballot? Electors may obtain absentee ballots due to the following circumstances: 1) active service in the Armed Forces of the United States, 2) absence from the town during all of the hours of voting, 3) illness, 4) religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election, 5) duties as an election official at a polling place other than their own during all the hours of voting, or 6) physical disability. Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained in person in the Town Clerk’s office (Mondays -Fridays, 9:00 AM -4:00 PM), on the Secretary of the State’s website http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3179&q=489910, or by clicking on the link here: Application for Absentee Ballot. The ballot will be mailed to you or you may obtain it in person, depending on how you designate delivery on the application.
May I apply for an absentee ballot now, or do I have to wait until the ballots are available on October 6? You may apply anytime up until November 6, but the actual ballots will not be mailed or delivered in person until the Town Clerk is legally allowed to do so, which is the October 6 date.
What is the deadline to register to vote? Deadlines for registration can be found by clicking on the link here: Elections_2017_DEADLINES FOR REGISTRATION FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTION
What if I have other questions regarding registering to vote, obtaining an absentee ballot, voting, or any other election question? You may contact the Lyme Town Hall and speak to either of the Registrars of Voters (Fridays 9:00 AM -12:00 noon) or the Town Clerk (Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM).