Absentee Ballots Available in New Britain State Legislative Special Election

The office of Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas has announced that, “Absentee ballot applications are available for the Tuesday, January 6, special election in New Britain to fill the 25th House District vacancy caused by the resignation of now-former state Rep Bobby Sanchez.”

Editor’s note: The cover photo is by Dr Frank Gerratana.

The special election is to fill the seat because now-Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) was elected as Mayor of New Britain in this year’s city elections.

Democratic Ald Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-3) and Republican Constable Jamie Vaughan (R) are running for the seat.

“This special election,” the Secretary of the State’s office says, is, “open only to voters who live in New Britain’s 25th District.” The 25th Assembly District represents the city’s downtown area, North-Oak neighborhood and parts of the Broad Street, East Side and Belvedere neighborhoods.

“Like in all elections,” the office says, “eligible voters in New Britain’s 25th House District will have three options to cast their ballots,” including,

-In person on the Special Election Day — Tuesday, January 6
-In person during four days of Early Voting that begins Wednesday, December 31
-By absentee ballot, if specific conditions are met

“To request an absentee ballot,” the offices says, “voters must complete and sign an application form that can be obtained online at MyVote.CT.gov/absentee or in person from the Town Clerk’s office.” The New Britain Town Clerk’s office is on the first floor of City Hall at 27 West Main Street.

Connecticut law still permits absentee voting only for specific reasons. These include:

-Active service in the armed forces;
-Absence from town on Election Day;
-Sickness (not necessarily the voter’s own);
-Physical disability (not necessarily the voter’s own);
-Religious beliefs that prevent secular activities like voting on Election Day;
-Duties as an election official at a polling place other than one’s own.

In addition, early voting is to take place at the New Britain Senior Center and at Central Connecticut State University on:

Wednesday, December 31st, 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Friday, January 2nd, 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Saturday, January 3rd, 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Sunday, January 4th, 10:00am to 6:00pm.

“On Special Election Day Tuesday, January 6,” the Secretary of the State’s office says, “polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. State law requires that all absentee ballots be received by the Town Clerk no later than 8 p.m. Election Day.”

The 25th Assembly District includes,