Newtown Voters Poised For Historic Election Nov. 4

By John Voket

A record number of Newtown voters are expected to turn out to their designated polling places Tuesday, November 4, joining millions of other Americans in what may be among nation’s the most historic elections. At the top of the ticket are the Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates and their choices for Vice President.

At press time, the Republican Party was still standing strongly behind US Senator John McCain and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, while the Democratic team of Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joseph Biden were holding leads in polls nationally and in most of the states still in competition.

Associated Press-GfK polls taken within the past several days showed Sen Obama ahead in four states that supported Bush in 2004, and essentially even with Sen McCain in two others. A separate survey suggested even Sen McCain’s home state of Arizona was not safely in his column.

If Sen Obama is successful, he will become the country’s first African American President. Sen McCain is well known for his many years of elected service, as well as his distinguished military record and experience as a Vietnam-era prisoner of war.

In Newtown, donations made to each candidates’ campaign might telegraph a barometer of local support. Contributions of $200 or more to presidential candidates, as reported to the Federal Election Commission, indicated a total of 328 donations to Sen Obama from Newtown and Sandy Hook Zip Codes, and 31 combined donations to Sen McCain.

The list represents donations, not persons. There are multiple donations by single persons in Newtown and Sandy Hook.

Newtown voters will also have the opportunity to consider the Green Party team of Connecticut native Ralph Nader and running mate Matt Gonzalez, the first Hispanic contender for a national Executive office. The Nader/Gonzalez team is on the Presidential ballot in 45 states, and represents the only other executive candidates on the ballot in Connecticut.

The choices for Congress in the Fifth District include Republican challenger and State Senator David Cappiello, incumbent first term Democrat Chris Murphy, who is also cross endorsed by the Working Families Party, Independent Thomas Winn, and Green Party contender Harold Burbank II.

Profiles of these candidates appear in today’s edition of The Bee.

For State Senate, all local voters can consider incumbent Republican Senate Minority Leader John McKinney or Democratic challenger Martin Goldberg, who is also cross endorsed by the Working Families Party.

All but one of Newtown’s voting districts will consider local legislative candidates for an upcoming vacancy in the 106th District. Longtime lawmaker Julia Wasserman will step down at the end of her current term.

The Republican candidate in the 106th District is local Legislative Council Chairman William F.L. Rodgers. The Democratic challenger is freshman council member Christopher Brennan Lyddy. Mr Rodgers is cross endorsed by the Independent Party.

In Newtown’s 3-1 voting district, which is part of the state’s 112th Legislative District, voters will be asked to consider incumbent Republican DebraLee Hovey or Democrat Michele Mount.

Newtown’s Registrars of Voters, Republican Karin Aurelia and Democrat LeReine Frampton, are both running unopposed for the two available positions.

In addition, all local voters will also be asked to consider two ballot questions.

Voters will get to endorse or reject a proposed Constitutional Convention, 22 years from the last time the question was submitted to electors — and failed.

According to the Secretary of the State’s Office, if a majority of the electors voting on the question signify Yes, the General Assembly shall provide for a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State, as provided in Section 3 of Article 13 of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut.

The second ballot question reads: Shall the constitution of the state be amended to permit any person who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election to vote in the primary for such regular election?

The Secretary of the State’s office explains that his amendment would allow 17-year-old citizens who will turn 18 on or before the day of a regular election to vote in its primary. They are currently prohibited from doing so.

Under the amendment, such an individual must apply and otherwise qualify for admission as an elector. He or she may then vote in the primary held to determine nominees for the regular election. Upon turning 18, the individual’s electoral rights attach.

All four local polling places will be open from 6 am to 8 pm on Election Day, November 4. There are still criteria for certain individuals to become voters up until that day, as well as criteria for absentee ballots to be cast.

See the related story in this edition for more details, or contact the Newtown Registrars of Voters office at 270-4250 or the town clerk at 270-4210.