As Election Day nears, alert — and civic-minded — “06880” reader Gloria Gouveia asks: “Have the Registrars of Voters been lauded in your Unsung Heroes column?”
Well, sort of. They were cited last year, along with many others who ensure that our elections run smoothly and fairly.
But they deserve every shout-out they get. So, Gloria adds:
“I ask because, in addition to the usual challenges of organizing and managing elections in town, the work is monumentally more demanding this year.
“Have no fear; Maria Signore and Debbie Greenburg have everything under control for the first presidential election in Connecticut offering early voting.*
“They apply their logic and experience to every aspect of the process to ensure that all systems employed are as intuitive as possible for the voters and the election workers, who serve as everything from assistant town clerks and moderators to greeters, traffic managers and checkers. (I have no idea how many are trained and ready for work this year, but there are a lot.)
“The work hours are prodigious on Election Day: 5:30 a.m. to at least 8:30 p.m.
Westport registrars of voters Debbie Greenberg (left) and Maria Signore (right), with Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas. The Norwalk resident is Connecticut’s top election official.
“The ability to vote is one of our most precious rights. I am confident that the voters in our community will rise to the occasion, and vote in greater numbers than ever before.”
And we will do it, thanks in large part to the often-unseen, but always crucial, work of our Democratic and Republican registrars of voters. They are this week’s — and every election cycle’s — Unsung Heroes.
*NOTE: Early voting in Connecticut begins next Monday (October 21). It runs through Sunday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. On October 29 and 31, the hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5), is from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at regular polling places. Click here to view a district map.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Deborah and Maria are definitely our Unsung Heroes. They have trained workers for each election with great patience and thoroughness. Things run smoothly in our elections because of these two very special women.
Deb and Marie are So wonderful for the town of Westport we should be lucky to have them run our elections in the town of Westport thanks Deb and Marie from sal liccione rtm district 9 member
We owe a debt of gratitude to these two hardworking women who are working every day to keep our democracy safe! Thanks!