Tuesday Elections May Spur Unprecedented Midterm Turnout

By John Voket

Judging from the number of recently registered voters, a higher than normal request for absentee ballots, a strong turnout of residents “test driving” new computer voting terminals, the proliferation of robo-calls and literature in mailboxes, next Tueday’s “midterm” elections may generate an unprecedented turnout.

More than 86,000 new voters — more than twice as many Democrats as Republicans — have registered in Connecticut since May, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. The surge in new voters came as polls show virtual ties in the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Congressional Districts.

Republicans hold those seats, which Democrats are targeting in an effort to gain 15 seats nationwide and regain a majority in the House.

Newtown’s registered voters are called to exercise their constitutional privilege at one of four town polling locations Tuesday, November 7, between 6 am and 8 pm. District 1 votes at Newtown Middle School, Queen Street; District 2 votes at Reed Intermediate School, Trades Lane; District 3-1 votes at Head O’ Meadow School, Boggs Hill Road; District 3 votes at Middle Gate School, Cold Spring Road.

Sample ballots, stories and profiles on candidates, and a recap of a recent Nancy Johnson-Christopher Murphy debate appear in this week’s edition of The Bee on page A-8.

Besides the hotly-contested Fifth District race between Republican incumbent Rep Johnson and State Senator Murphy, Newtowners will have an opportunity to cast votes for gubernatorial candidates, Republican M. Jodi Rell and her lieutenant governor running mate Michael Fidele. Gov Rell is being challenged by New Haven Mayor John DeStefano and his running mate, Mary Messina Glassman.

The Concerned Citizens and Green parties are also offering candidates in the governor’s race. A Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday showed the incumbent Gov Rell leading her challenger by 24 points.

According to that poll, Gov Rell even gets 36 percent of Democratic voters, to 56 percent for DeStefano.  She also gets 93 percent of Republican voters and 62 percent of independent voters.

Newtown voters will also make a choice as to which candidate will serve as their US Senator by choosing among the Republican-endorsed candidate, former state representative and Derby mayor Alan Schlesinger, Democrat Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont, Independent incumbent Joseph Lieberman, as well as Concerned Citizens and Green Party candidates.

The Quinnipiac poll Wednesday showed incumbent Connecticut Sen Lieberman holding a 49-37 percent likely voter lead over Mr Lamont, with eight percent supporting Mr Schlesinger

State Senator John McKinney (R) is running unopposed as is Rep DebraLee Hovey (R) who serves Newtown District 3-2. Republican Rep Julia Wasserman is being challenged by a Working Families candidate, Stacey Zimmerman, and she has been cross endorsed by the Independent Party.

Democrat Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz is challenged by Republican and former state Association of Registrars chairman Richard J. Abbate, as well as candidates from the Libertarian, Concerned Citizens, and Green parties.  Democrat Treasurer Denise Nappier is challenged by GOP candidate Linda Roberts as well as candidates from the Libertarian, Concerned Citizens, and Green parties. 

Democrat Comptroller Nancy Wyman is challenged by Republican Cathy Cook, a Libertarian and Green Party candidate, and Democrat Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is running against Republican Robert Farr and a Green Party candidate.

Newtown’s Republican Judge of Probate, Margot Hall, is unopposed.