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The Registrar of Voters Office is governed by Connecticut General Statutes and financially supported by the Town. We are a vital department to the function of the Town’s government. We are required to undergo training directed by the Connecticut Secretary of the State and to obtain certification.

Our responsibilities include:

  • Administration and oversight of all elections, primaries and referenda in an accurate, efficient and impartial manner. We hire and train all official poll workers as well as maintaining all voting equipment.
  • Management of voter registration. We register new voters and record all voter changes, conduct an annual canvass of voters to ensure our records are current, compile monthly reports of all voter changes, and maintain the registration records in an organized and secure manner.
  • Providing information to voters, political organizations, and the general public concerning voting rights and election activities.

Presidential Preference Primary

The 2024 Presidential Preference Primary will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 6:00AM to 8:00PM.

Monday, March 25, 2024 at Noon is the deadline for unaffiliated voters who want to vote during the early voting period to enroll in a party. If you are not yet registered but want to vote during the early voting period before the Presidential Preference Primary, file your voter registration application (for a party holding a primary) with the registrars of voters in your town by noon on the business day before the day you want to vote

Early Voting for East Lyme voters will be held at the Registrar’s Office in the East Lyme Community Center during these dates and times:

  • Tue, March 26, 2024 – 10:00AM to 6:00PM
  • Wed, March 27, 2024 -10:00AM to 6:00PM
  • Thu, March 28, 2024 – 10:00AM to 6:00PM
  • Sat, March 30, 2024 – 10:00AM to 6:00PM

Monday, April 1, 2024 at Noon is the deadline for registering in person with the registrar of voters or the town clerk to vote on April 2.  It is also the deadline for unaffiliated voters to enroll in a party in person for voting on April 2

You must be registered Democrat or Republican to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary

Voter Registration

The Voter Registration Form (ED-671) is used for new voter registration (which includes those who have moved from another town), address changes within town, names changes or party enrollment changes. The cards may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office at the East Lyme Community Center or from the Town Clerk’s office during regular Town Hall hours. They are also available at the East Lyme Public Library. You may also register through the DMV or at the Secretary of the State’s website.

Your application will be processed in a timely manner, and you will receive a confirmation of registration by first class mail.

Qualifications for voter registration in Connecticut are:

  1. You must be a United States Citizen
  2. You must be a bona fide resident of the town in which you register
  3. You must be at least 17 years old (You will be able to vote on turning 18. 17 year olds may vote in their party’s primary if they will turn 18 before the election.)
  4. You must not have been convicted of a disfranchising felony, or, if so, have been released from confinement and, if applicable, parole.

Voter Registration Deadlines

General Elections:  Your application must be postmarked by the 14th day before an election (or received by your Registrar of Voters or a voter registration agency by the 14th day before an election).  You may apply in person to your registrar or town clerk until 7 days before an election.

Election Day Registration:  Election Day Registration (EDR) permits anyone to register and vote in person on Election Day who meets the eligibility requirements for voting in this state and is not already registered, or is registered in one town but has moved to East Lyme. EDR is not available at the regular polling place. It will take place at the Registrars’ Office at the East Lyme Community Center.

Primary:  Your application must be postmarked by the 5th day before a primary (or received by a voter registration agency by the 5th day before a primary) and must be received by the Registrars by 12 Noon the last business day before a primary.  You may apply in person to your registrar or town clerk until 12:00 Noon on the last business day before a primary.

Elections

Municipal elections are held in odd numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. State and federal elections are held in even numbered years. By law, the polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Polling Locations – [Map lookup] – [Street Name lookup]

  • District 1: East Lyme High School, Chesterfield Road, East Lyme
  • District 2: Niantic Center School, West Main Street, Niantic
  • District 3: East Lyme Community Center, Society Road, Niantic

Eligibility
All registered voters may vote in regularly scheduled, general elections.  Voters who are registered with a political party may vote in any primary election of the political party in which they are registered.  All registered voters may vote in referenda held by the town.  Non-registered taxpayers who own assessable property worth more than $1,000 on the most recent Grand List in East Lyme may vote on referenda questions involving taxable items.

Absentee Ballots

A registered voter who is unable to vote in person may apply to the Town Clerk for an absentee ballot for any of the following reasons:

  • Active service in the Armed Forces of the United States
  • Absence from the town during all of the hours of voting
  • Illness
  • Religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election, primary or referendum
  • Duties as a primary, election or referendum official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours of voting
  • Physical disability

Before a ballot can be issued to the voter, an application must be completed and returned to the Town Clerk.  The application can be obtained in person, by mail or from the ct.gov website. The application must be printed, signed by the voter and mailed or hand delivered to: East Lyme Town Clerk, PO Box 519, 108 Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic, CT 06357

Military or Overseas Voters
The federal MOVE ACT (Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment) was signed into law by President Obama on October 28, 2009 and makes provisions for mailing a ballot electronically, upon request, to a voter who is in the military or who is an overseas citizen and their dependents.  Electronic voting is only for elections that have federal offices on the ballot.  (Electronic means faxing as well as emailing). The actual ballot is a blank ballot format that is sent along with a list of candidates.  If you qualify for an emailed ballot, please contact the Town Clerk at kgalbo@eltownhall.com.

Remove Name from Registry

A signed document is needed to remove your name. Please include your name, date of birth, and signature with your request and mail to: Registrar of Voters, PO Box 519, Niantic, CT 06357.

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