Feb. 18 the Deadline to Register to Vote in Special Election

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today reminded adult U.S. citizens residing in 18 Connecticut communities that they have until Friday, Feb. 18, to register to vote for upcoming special elections in nine legislative districts on Tuesday, Feb. 22.

The special elections are being held to fill legislative vacancies that were created when nine state lawmakers resigned their positions prior to the start of the 2011 session of the Connecticut General Assembly earlier this month.

“The timetable for these crucial special elections is very compressed, and I want eligible residents in each of these 18 communities to have the maximum amount of time to register to vote so they can help choose their next representatives in Hartford,” Merrill said. “Normally under state law, voters can register up to one day before a special election, but because of the President’s Day Holiday on Monday February 21st, that deadline is pushed back to Friday February 18th.”

Secretary Merrill added, “I also want to commend the Registrars of Voters in Bridgeport for leading by example and ordering enough ballots to cover a 100% voter turnout in the 126th General Assembly district. As we look at ways to improve our election system in Connecticut following the problems we encountered in the 2010 general election, this is a good, safe rule of thumb to follow to ensure that there are always enough ballots for Connecticut voters and no one is ever turned away from the polls. I encourage other municipalities to take this step.”

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on February 22 in the State Senate district 6, covering Berlin, New Britain, and part of Farmington and also in district 13, covering Meriden, Middlefield, and parts of Cheshire and Middletown; and district 27, covering parts of Darien and Stamford. Special elections will also take place in the following General Assembly Districts: district 20, covering part of West Hartford, district 25, covering part of New Britain, district 36, covering the towns of Chester, Deep River, Essex and Haddam, district 99, covering part of East Haven, district 101, covering the town of Madison and part of Guilford and District 126, covering part of Bridgeport.

Voters can go to the secretary of the state’s website to see if they are registered to vote and where their polling place is located.