Earlier this week, Westport’s registrars of voters announced a major shift in the way residents cast ballots.
Beginning with the August 11 primary, and continuing November 3 and through all elections afterward, all in-person voting will be done at Bedford Middle School. For decades there were several local polling places, based on Representative Town Meeting (RTM) districts.
The League of Women Voters of Westport is surprised by the change. President Joan Hogan Gillman says:
The League of Women Voters has long stood for one fundamental principle: Every eligible citizen should have the opportunity to vote freely, fairly, and without unnecessary barriers.
Our mission is not to advocate for one political party or a particular election outcome, but to promote informed participation, transparent government, and public confidence in our elections.
On Wednesday, July 8, Westport households received a postcard from the Registrars of Voters announcing a significant change to the way our community will vote.
Beginning with the August primary, all Westport voters will cast their ballots at a single polling location on Election Day — Bedford Middle School — replacing the 5 Election Day polling places that have served our town and its 9 voting districts for many years.
The registrars cited changes in Connecticut voting laws, including early voting and expanded absentee voting, as well as cost savings, as reasons for this new approach.
Many residents are understandably asking questions. A change affecting every voter in our town naturally generates interest and discussion, and presents an opportunity to better understand the considerations that informed this decision.
Last November, candidates gathered outside the Westport Library. It was one of 5 polling places in town. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Connecticut law places significant responsibility on registrars of voters to administer elections. With that responsibility comes an equally important opportunity to strengthen public confidence by helping residents understand how decisions affecting voting are made and the factors that were considered.
Election administration has changed considerably in recent years. Early voting and no-excuse absentee voting have expanded voting opportunities. Those changes may influence how communities think about Election Day polling places.
At the same time, moving from 5 polling places to 1 represents a significant change in how Westport conducts its elections, making it especially valuable for the community to understand the reasoning behind the decision. Public confidence is strengthened when important decisions are explained openly and discussed respectfully.
Poll worker at the Westport Library, 2024. (Photo/Dan Woog)
We hope the registrars will share more about the analysis and considerations that informed their decision, including:
- How was it determined that 1 polling place is suitable for serving all nine voting districts and Westport voters?
- What factors were considered regarding parking, traffic, voter wait times, accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, and overall voter convenience?
- Were alternative approaches evaluated, such as maintaining multiple polling places while also achieving greater efficiency or cost savings?
- How will the impact of this change be evaluated after future elections?
Our democracy is strongest when citizens are informed, engaged, and confident that their voices matter — not only on Election Day, but in the decisions that shape how elections are conducted.
We invite the registrars of voters to share the analysis supporting this important decision, and welcome a thoughtful community dialogue about how Westport can continue to ensure that every eligible voter has meaningful, convenient and equitable access to the ballot.