Town Clerk Leon Davidoff administered the oath of office on Jan. 6, 2025.

From left: Democratic Registrar Elizabeth Rousseau, Deputy Democratic Registrar Aine McManus, Republican Registrar Beth Kyle, Deputy Republican Registrar Eileen Swanton. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford’s Registrars of Voters were sworn in for their new two-year terms on Jan. 6, 2025 by Town Clerk Leon Davidoff. The terms for Republican Beth Kyle and Democrat Elizabeth Rousseau, who were re-elected to their positions in November 2024, run through Jan. 4, 2027.

Town Clerk Leon Davidoff administers the oath of office to Republican Registrar Beth Kyle and Democratic Registrar Elizabeth Rousseau (right). Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Deputy Registrars of Voters were also sworn in by Davidoff on Jan. 6. Aine McManus has been appointed the Deputy Democratic Registrar, and Eileen Swanton is the Deputy Republican Registrar.

Town Clerk Leon Davidoff administers the oath of office to deputy registrars, Democrat Aine McManus and Republican Eileen Swanton (right). Photo credit: Ronni Newton

All four received boosts in their annual salaries, in accordance with a resolution approved unanimously, 9-0, by the West Hartford Town Council at its Dec. 10, 2024 meeting.

The annual salary for the Registrars of Voters have been increased from $30,000 to $47,500, while Deputy Registrars’ salaries have been increased from $15,500 to $20,000, effective Jan. 6, 2025.

While the positions are part-time, the salaries have not been adjusted since 2012, Town Manager Rick Ledwith told the Town Council before they voted on a resolution to increase the compensation, and since then the time commitment has increased significantly, particularly due to the implementation of early voting in 2024. Those who hold the positions “play a vital role in safeguarding our democracy by ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections,” the resolution states.

The resolution also stipulates that salaries for the registrars and deputies will be subject to a 2.5% increase in January 2027. An additional stipend of $5,000 in the January of calendar years 2025 and 2028, and a stipend of $2,500 in January of calendar years 2026 and 2027 will also be given, according to the resolution approved by the Town Council. The town will also match annual contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan, not to exceed 6% of the annual salary.

West Hartford’s management of early voting was lauded by officials and observers throughout the state, “and that’s a reflection of our registrars and their commitment and dedication,” Ledwith said. West Hartford voters cast the second-most early votes in the state, with only Norwalk – which has roughly 30,000 more residents – having more early voters in the November 2024 general election.

“We have been talking about this for a while and it was recognized that the salaries were too low for our registrars,” said Deputy Mayor Ben Wenograd, who chairs the Council’s Finance and Administration Committee. “It seems like a big increase but it isn’t,” he said, noting not just inflation but also the extra work involved with early voting for primaries, and additional same day registration activities and education and training of poll workers.

He said that prior to establishing the new salaries for West Hartford, compensation in other towns was reviewed and in some cases those salaries are considerably higher.

Wenograd said “the incredible job they’re doing” feels like the most important reason to increase the pay.

“You know that I’m a fiscal hawk” who doesn’t usually approve of additional spending, Republican Mary Fay said. But, she added, “This one is about fairness and 12 years is a long time to go without a pay adjustment.”

Republican Alberto Cortes agreed that the salary increase was long overdue but noted that while it is now in the range of what other towns pay their registrars it will be an increase in the general fund budget going forward. “We’re going to own this forever, but it is about fairness,” he said.

“We have awesome leadership leading a team of people to have things run smoothly,” Democrat Carol Blanks said. “I think you executed it beautifully,” she said of the job done by the registrars in the 2024 election.

“Everybody said so many wonderful things and they’re all true,” added Mayor Shari Cantor. “You make it accurate and accessible and reliable,” she said of the election process, adding that she strongly supported the salary increase. While the registrars probably deserve more, it’s a balance, she said, thanking the registrars and deputies for their commitment to the community.

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