News Briefs: Make a Plan to Vote…City Recognizes Baseball Champs…Hispanic Art and History at City Hall
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
by John McNamara
Make a Plan to Vote: Absentee ballots available Friday, October 2; early voting begins October 19 at two locations
No excuse absentee ballots will be available on Friday, October 2 and early voting (EV) for the November 3 Election begins Monday, October 19 in Connecticut as voters will choose candidates for Governor/Lt. Governor, U.S. Congress, state representative, state senate and the constitutional offices — Attorney General, Comptroller, Treasurer and Secretary of the State.
New Britain’s Registrars of Voters re-affirmed early voting locations and times in a September 9th report to the Common Council. The New Britain Senior Center, 55 Pearl Street and a Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) mobile facility on the campus at the corner of East Street and Paul Manafort Drive will open October 19th and end on Sunday, November 1 at the two locations for two weeks ahead of the November 3 Election Day.
Early voting hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for October 27 and October 29 when hours will be extended from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. New Britain has received a state grant of $29,219 to conduct early voting activities.
New Britain Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 3. Same Day Registration (SDR) will be available to eligible individuals on Election Day who did not register ahead of the election.
October 16th is the mail in deadline for registering to vote “unless the individual registers in person during the early voting period or in person, on election day, utilizing Same Day Registration.”
The 2026 Election marks the first in Connecticut in which both “no excuse” absentee voting and early voting are options. Through legislation and referenda, 18th century restrictions in the state’s constitution have finally been lifted.
City Proclamation Honors Baseball Bees for Championship in Collegiate League
A proclamation honoring the New Britain Bees of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) was presented to team representatives Brad Smith and Connor Wilson by Mayor Bobby Sanchez at the September 23rd Common Council meeting.
Last month the Bees won their first FCBL Championship defeating the Vermont Lake Monsters in a three-game series by scores of 11 to 0 in games one and three. New Britain dropped a pitcher’s duel, 1 to 0, in the second game played at New Britain Stadium.
Bees’ Connor Wilson reported on the victory: “FCBL Championship MVP Tim Hennig (Binghamton/Wantagh, NY) starred once again, blasting his second home run of the series and finishing the championship with a .364 average, 2 HR, and a triple. His college teammate Owen Rich (Binghamton/Wallingford, CT) had a historic day at the plate, going 5-5 in Game 3 with three doubles, three RBI, and four runs scored. Rich’s three doubles set a record for most doubles in a single FCBL postseason game.”
Hispanic Heritage Exhibit Continues; City Hall Open House is October 8th
A town and gown collaboration between Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and the New Britain Mayor’s office is helping to mark Hispanic Heritage Month at City Hall.
Student artwork from CCSU’s Latina Identity and Empowerment course and an exhibit from the archives of the Public History Program tells the story of the Borinqueneers 65th Infantry Division and soldiers from Puerto Rico who have served in wars and conflicts throughout U.S. history. The Exhibit continues through October 15.
John McNamara is a Ward 4 Alderman and the Common Council Majority Leader
NB Politicus posts appear in the New Britain Progressive, a free to read, community supported publication of The New Britain Independent. Sign Up for the E-Mail Edition – New Britain Progressive Newspaper
