Connecticut’s first experience with election-day voter registration allowed 2,900 voters across the state to register and vote on election day last fall, high-profile mayoral races in New Haven and New Britain drawing the highest number of new voters.
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill released data Thursday that was gathered for a comprehensive report on election-day registration required by the General Assembly. She pronounced the program, which was opposed by some registrars of voters, a success.
“Voting is a fundamental American right, and Connecticut’s new election day registration law made it possible for almost 3,000 new voters across our state to exercise that right. That is something we can all celebrate,” Merrill said. “The data speaks for itself: Election day registration is both popular and reliable, and my office did not receive any reports or complaints of concern as this law was implemented.”
The biggest numbers of election-day registrations: New Haven, 202; New Britain, 164; Norwalk, 81; West Haven, 62; Stamford, 61; New London, 58; Wallingford, 43; Mansfield and Southington, 41; Greenwich, Hartford, Milford, Orange and Stratford, 40; Waterbury, 39; Middletown and Watertown, 37; Danbury, Hamden and West Hartford; 36; Naugatuck and Wolcott, 35; Bridgeport and Westport, 34; Bristol and Fairfield, 33.
A half-dozen communities had none: Clinton, East Granby, Eastford, Kent, Norfolk and Scotland.