Derby mails absentee ballots to registered voters

Sharing message today from Derby Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo:

Applications for Absentee Ballots for the November 2, 2021 General Election were mailed to every registered voter in the City of Derby.  

The State of CT has extended COVID-19 as a legal reason for voting by Absentee Ballot in the November 2, 2021 Election.  

Each voter still has the choice to vote in person or by absentee ballot.  

The applications will be arriving in the coming days and ballots for those who already requested them were mailed out on Friday October 1, 2021.  Applications received by November 1, 2021 will be processed and issued within 48 hours of the request being received in this office.

If a voter wants to vote by Absentee Ballot they should return the completed Application to this Office as soon as possible.  If they want to vote in person at the polls between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm on Tuesday November 2, 2021 then they can just dispose of the application and vote in person.

If you know of anyone who would like to register to vote, they may use the following link - https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do

Any new voters interested in voting by Absentee Ballot can find the application here by using this link -   https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting

If you know of anyone who would like to check their Voter Registration Status, they may use the following link - https://portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx

Additionally, you may view the sample ballots for the November 2, 2021 Election in Derby by using this link - https://www.derbyct.gov/media/Election%20-%202021%20-%20Sample%20Ballots.pdf

"I wish you a great and safe weekend.  And as this is the beginning of October, please remember to schedule your annual mammogram or encourage some one to do the same during this month of Breast Cancer Awareness."

Derby Town Clerk extends office hours this Friday, Saturday for absentee ballots

DERBY - Town Clerk Marc J. Garofalo has announced the Derby Town Clerk’s office will be open for extended hours Friday, Oct. 23 from 12:30-4 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m.-noon.

The extension is to accommodate city residents who want to apply for an absentee ballot or return their completed absentee ballot.  

Derby City Hall normally closes at 12:30 p.m. on Fridays due to other extended hours from Monday to Thursday.

 

“During this hectic time of year and with the public health crisis still a major concern for many residents, we wanted to offer Derby voters the opportunity to exercise their voting rights in a safe and less stressful setting," Garofalo said. 

He indicated his office has issued more than 1,600 absentee ballots and received back more than 1,000 completed ballots.

 

Anyone entering City Hall must wear a mask and practice social distancing.  The Town Clerk’s office staff will be available to issue absentee ballots.  

The ballots may be taken home by the applicants or completed on-site and returned to the Town Clerk’s office.

 

“In this historic presidential election, we want to make sure that every Derby voter has multiple opportunities to cast their vote freely and safely either by absentee ballot or in person on Election Day, all in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut,"Garofalo said. 

He has served as Derby Town/City Clerk since 2013, is a Certified Connecticut Town Clerk and Vice President of the New Haven County Town Clerk’s Association.

Rochelle reminds residents to recognize signs of domestic violence

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year. That is why October has been designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year more than ever, it is important to recognize the signs of domestic violence and to check in on friends and family who may be high risk. For more information, click here. --- Election Day is just over two weeks away and if you plan on voting by absentee ballot this election, make sure you submit your ballot as soon as you can. If you have not submitted your application for an absentee ballot, it is critical to complete that as soon as possible. All voters will be able to check a box on the application that they are requesting to vote by absentee ballot due to COVID-19. This allows voters to cast their ballot without having to stand in long lines, risking their health and safety during the ongoing pandemic. The application must be sent back to the City Clerk's office via the U.S. Postal Service, in person to the City Clerk's office (if open), or via the secure drop box located outside of their city hall. When the application is processed, a ballot will be sent to the voter. When voters receive their ballot, they may complete it and return it via the USPS, in person to the City Clerk's office, or the secure ballot box in front of their city hall. Only ballots that arrive before polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day will be counted. For more information about absentee voting, please visit Secretary of the State Denise Merrill's website, here. If you are not registered to vote, you may do so through the SOTS web portal, here. The above information was provided in a press release today from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby.

Rochelle offers update on campgrounds, absentee ballots

All Connecticut campgrounds have officially begun a phased opening. 

Campers must make reservations in advance of their stay and walk-in visitors will not be permitted on the sites. 

For more information and to reserve your spot, click here.

The Secretary of the State recently mailed out applications to all registered Democrats and Republicans to provide individuals the opportunity to request an absentee ballot for the upcoming presidential primary.  This measure will protect your safety and right to vote during the ongoing pandemic. This is shared from a press release Friday night from state Rep. Kara Rochelle's office.