West Hartford Town Clerk Essie Labrot and Registrars Beth Kyle and Beth Sweeney have issued a compilation of information that voters need to know before the Nov. 8, 2016 election regarding absentee ballot voting, last minute registration, accommodations for visually-impaired voters, change in polling location at Conard High School, and more.

West Hartford Town Hall. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Please check the Registrar of Voters (ROV) and Town Clerk’s pages at westhartfordct.gov regarding office hours before coming in to register or apply for an absentee ballot. The ROV office number is (860) 561-7451 and Town Clerk’s is (860) 561-7436.

• Nov. 1, 2016, is the last day to registrar to vote in person or online via the Connecticut Secretary of State (SOTS) web site www.voterregistrationct.gov. The ROV office will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate residents.

• The ROV have hired over 250 poll workers, i.e., moderators, checkers, ballot clerks, tabulator tenders demonstrators/greeters and traffic personnel to assist voters at each of the nine poll locations in order to meet expected high volumes of voters on Election Day.

• The polls will be open for voting on Nov. 8, 2016, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• If your polling place is Conard High School, please be aware that voting will now take place in the cafeteria rather than the gymnasium as in previous years. Please use Berkshire Road to access the back parking lot directly outside of the cafeteria entrance. This entrance is handicapped accessible and there will be a parking lot attendant and plenty of signage to direct you to the appropriate entrance on Election Day.

• If any West Hartford residents find they have not yet registered to vote by Nov. 8, they may do so on Election Day in Room 313 at Town Hall via Election Day Registration (EDR). 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 another town. Go to sots.ct.gov for information regarding eligibly requirements. Voter applicants must be processed and registered in the EDR system before 8:00pm in order to cast a ballot. Please note: unlike the 9 polling locations, if an applicant is waiting in line at 8:00pm but has not yet been registered in the EDR system, they will not be permitted to vote.

• The SOTS has introduced a new, user friendly voting system designed for the visually impaired which is available at every polling place. This ballot marking system allows for the voter to make their choices audibly rather than by pen and paper. This method of marking the ballot is also available to all voters. Visit www.myvote.ct.gov for more information.

• Absentee Ballots are currently being mailed out to those requesting. U.S. mail has been slow, so please allow up to 4 days within West Hartford, and 6-7 days for out of state to receive it. Applications may be downloaded from this link: http://www.sots.ct.gov/sots/LIB/sots/ElectionServices/ElectForms/electforms/aabeng.pdf. Ballots must be returned by Tuesday, Nov. 8 in order to be counted. Ballots are also available in person during regular Business hours. In addition, the Town Clerk’s office will be open ALL DAY on Fridays (8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.) to issue ballots.

• On Election Day, Nov. 8, the Town Clerk’s office will be open to receive Absentee Ballots and issue EMERGENCY Ballots only. In order to apply for an Emergency Ballot, an elector must have an unforeseen illness occurring within 6 days (Nov. 3-8) before the close of the polls on Election Day. Please contact the Town Clerk’s office directly (860-561-7436) if you need an Emergency Ballot during those dates.

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