Tag Archives: Election Day 2019

Did You Vote?

Posted on November 6, 2019 | 45 comments

Yesterday was Election Day.

In mid-afternoon, Darcy Hicks posted this on Facebook:

I just drove a neighbor who needed a ride because she got home from surgery one hour before, and she wanted to get to the polls before her anesthetic wore off.

She was determined, as an American, a Vietnam veteran, and someone who took an oath to serve this country, to vote. I was so humbled and honored to meet her, and she made me so proud to be an American. If she can do it, shaky, in pain, so can you. Exercise your right to vote!

Lisa Alter soon added this:

The lovely Westport resident I drove to the polls this morning walked with a cane and some difficulty – and she managed to get there and vote. Please, everyone: Exercise your right to vote.

Turnout here yesterday — for an election that will help determine the future of our middle schools, redistricting, affordable housing, the vitality of downtown, taxes, and much more — was about 33%.

That’s right: One of you voted. Two others did not.

That’s embarrassing.

And shameful.

Here’s my two cents: If you were eligible to vote yesterday, but found some reason not to, you forfeit your right to criticize any political decision made in town for the next 2 years.

Elections have consequences. Every vote counts.

Did we count yours?

 

45 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Westport life

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Want To Know Who Won?

Posted on November 5, 2019 | 1 comment

“06880” provides many services. Quick election night results is not one of them.

Fortunately, the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office does. To find results for any town in Connecticut — after the polls close at 8 p.m. — click here.  Then:

  • Select the 11/05/2019 Election from the top drop-down menu
  • Select Your County
  • Select Your Town
  • Celebrate or commiserate accordingly.

Turnout was light this morning, at the Westport Library.

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Posted in Local politics, Politics

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Tomorrow Is Election Day. Wherever You Live, A Westport Teen Can Help You Vote.

Posted on November 4, 2019 | 10 comments

On Election Day, young people get a bad rap. They vote in lower numbers than any other age group — and Americans’ turnout for all ages is pretty pathetic to begin with.

Ella Berg is on a mission to change that.

Last year — as a Staples High School junior — she created an online primer for Westport voters. It included links to registration and voting information, plus short, factual descriptions of the positions of candidates for governor, senator, congressman, state representatives, and all other races.

This year, Ella’s gone national.

Ella Berg

Months ago before she turned 18, while trying to figure how to pre-register to vote, she noticed that information specific to one state was tough to find.

So Ella got to work. She researched all 50 states — plus Washington, DC and 4 US territories — and then created a website, filled with information and links.

For every state, she had to find a general information page that provides details on voter identification requirements; how to vote online or cast an absentee ballot, and — crucially — offers a polling place locator.

It was hard work.

“Many state-sponsored voting sites are disorganized, outdated, or missing key information,” Ella says.

The result — VoteAcrossAmerica.org — is clear, coherent, easy to use. Click here to access it.

But Ella did not stop there.

As a young voter, she wants to make sure her peers know how and when to cast ballots. She emailed the website to deans of students at the biggest public universities in each state, suggesting they offer it as a resource. Most wrote back, saying they were happy to do so.

Ella is also marketing the site through Twitter (@VoteAcrossUSA).

A screenshot of the home page.

Amid all this she is a typical Staples senior, with all the excitement and stress of applying to college. She hopes to study public policy there — with the goal of reforming the electoral system, “to make American elections more accurately reflect the will of the people.”

She adds, “I believe that equal voter access is one of the most important factors in a strong democracy. Even though I am still in high school, I’d like to do everything I can to boost voter turnout.”

She’s already doing it. When it comes to civic responsibility and engagement, Ella Berg gets my vote.

(PS: Live in Westport? Click here for a quick link to all local voting information.)

10 Comments

Posted in Politics, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Vote Next Month. But Register Now!

Posted on October 20, 2019 | 1 comment

On November 5, Westporters will elect candidates for a variety of important local offices, including the Board of Education, Board of Finance, Planning & Zoning Commission and RTM.

But in order to vote, you must be registered.

October 29 is the deadline for:

  • Mail-in registration of new voters (postmark)
  • Online registrations (click here)
  • In-person registration at the Registrars of Voters office, Town Hall, Room 107 (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

November 4 (5 p.m.) is the deadline for in-person registration at Town Hall for residents who meet at least one of the following limited criteria. Between October 29 and November 5, you must have:

  • Turned 18 years old
  • Moved to Westport
  • Achieved citizenship
  • Been a member or family member of the armed services.

Questions? Call 203-341-1115 or click here.

 

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Posted in Local politics

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Election Day Near; LWV Is Here

Posted on September 23, 2019 | Comments Off on Election Day Near; LWV Is Here

It’s fall! Time for leaves, pumpkin everything, and elections.

The League of Women Voters Westport “leaves” raking to you, and pumpkin lattes to Starbucks. But it’s all over the ballot box.

As the non-partisan, men-are-welcome-too organization prepares for Tuesday, November 5, they offer several programs and services to help Westporters register, and learn about candidates. For example:

Tomorrow (September 24) is National Voter Registration Day. You can register at the Westport Library (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

October 6 is the LWV’s annual Fall Brunch (11 am to 1 p.m.). It’s a meet-the-candidates event. For more information or to RSVP, call 203-293-7687.

On October 21 (Town Hall, 7 p.m.), the LWV co-sponsors debates with the Westport Library and PTA Council, for Board of Finance and Board of Education candidates. Email your questions to lwvwestportct@yahoo.com (specify which office you are asking about).

On October 28 (Town Hall, 7 p.m.) there’s a second debate, for Board of Assessment Appeals, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals candidates.

Of course, Election Day would not be complete without the LWV Voter’s Guide. It will arrive in the mail of all 10,500 Westport households shortly after October 25.

The League seeks donations to help defray the $3,900 cost of printing and mailing this important tool. Checks can be sent to the League of Women Voters of Westport, PO Box 285, Westport, CT 06881-0285 (write “Voter’s Guide” in the memo line.

For more information on the League of Women Voters Westport, click here.

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Posted in Local politics, Organizations

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