Voter Registration F.A.Q.'s
                                  (Frequently Asked Questions)

Who can register to vote?
Any U.S. citizen who is 17 years old and reaches 18 years by election
or primary day; is a bona-fide resident of Hartford; if previously 
convicted of a felony, has had his/her voting rights restored by the
Registrar; and truthfully fills out a voter registration application 
(Form ED-671).

 What types of elections can I vote in?
November 6, 2007 Municipal Election, 
Additionally, a Party Primary may be held September 11, 2007 to choose candidates or delegates (you must be registered in the Party holding the Primary).  Be sure to check on this page in the 
future for updates!

How do I register to vote?
Contact us in person or writing, or by phone, fax, or e-mail requesting
a mail-in application;  use the motor vehicle application received with 
your drivers license application; or you may download and print the card.  
Cards must be signed and mailed to the Registrars of Voters, 550 Main St.,
Hartford, CT 06103, or to the Registrars of Voters of the town or city in 
which you reside.  Attend voter making sessions in the registrars' office, 
located on the ground floor, room #2, of the Municipal Building,
550 Main Street, Hartford. The 2006 sessions will be held as follows:

    Saturday, October 20, 2007
   10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

    Tuesday, October 30, 2007  from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
  
Although the deadline for registering to vote in the November 6, 2007
election is October 30, 2007,  persons who attain their eligibility to register
after that date may do so. Therefore, if a person becomes 18 years of age,
a citizen or a resident of the town after October 30, 2007, such person may
register on or before 12:00 noon on November 5, 2007, at the office of the 
Registrars of Voters.

Where do I vote?
For your convenience, this Street Locator has been created to show you
important voting information. Just click on your street to get your district
number, then click on your district number for your polling place.

NOTE:
Primary and General Elections are held at the above locations from
6:00am to 8:00pm. All persons are eligible to vote in the following:
General Elections - all registered voters 18 years of age and older.
Primary Elections - those who meet the above requirements, plus be a
member of the appropriate political party. To find out more information
about your voting district, please phone us at (860) 757-9830.

When do I vote?
In Hartford, there is a general election EVERY November.  Election Day
is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The polls open at
6:00am and close at 8:00pm.

Who does what at the polls?
Moderator: The moderator is in charge of the polling place and performs 
or directs all operations during the voting day.

Assistant Registrars: (there are two): The Assistant Registrars assist the 
Moderator in the polling place overseeing the voting operations on Election 
Day and also assists voters whose names cannot be found on the Official 
Check Registry List.

Checkers: The Checkers check off the names of voters as they present 
themselves to vote. They also monitor the identification presented by voters 
prior to having their names checked off. All voters must be checked off 
before voting.

Unofficial Checkers: The Unofficial Checkers, sometimes called "Party 
Checkers" make a note of the number of all persons voting so this information 
can be picked up and brought to the respective party campaign headquarters 
by runners assigned by the various political parties involved in the election.

Machine Tenders: The Machine Tenders are stationed near the Voting Machine 
ready to assist all voters.  They also monitor the voting area to make certain that 
voters have been properly checked off and leave the area after voting. They  make 
certain that no campaign literature or debris is left around the machine and that
nothing has defaced the machine.

Demonstrators: The Demonstrator will greet the electors and offer to demonstrate the new process; sample ballots and instructions will be available.  

Ballot Clerks:  The Ballot Clerk is responsible for the accounting and reporting of all ballots before, during, and after the election. 

In addition to the above Election Officials:

Registrars of Voters: Overall responsibility for the conduct of the election, 
including the proper training (and certification where needed) of all election 
officials and workers; proper setup and operation of all voting machines; all 
election supplies needed at the polling places; making proper determinations 
of the eligibility of residents to vote; preparation and distribution of all official 
voting lists and the distribution of all official literature; overseeing absentee 
voting and the hiring and supervising of all election officials and workers.

Head Moderator: Responsible for the supervision of the voting count at 
the end of the election, monitors all tally sheets and transports results to office 
of the Secretary of the State.

Town Clerk: Responsible for originating and reproducing absentee ballots, 
responding to requests for absentee ballot applications and issuing ballots 
upon their proper completion, as well as sample ballots for polls.

Absentee Ballot Moderator: Responsible for the proper conduct of the absentee 
ballot counting operation.

Deputy Registrars of Voters: Responsible for assisting in the election 
administration including class training for poll workers, and determining eligibility 
to vote on Election Day. Assumes duties of Registrar of Voters in their absence. 
It is important to note that procedures, number of poll workers, number of 
voting machines, hours of operation are all carefully specified by State statutes.

Who are Hartford's Registrars of Voters and how do I contact them?
Joseph W. DeLorenzo, Republican and Shirley A. Surgeon, Democrat
Telephone #(860)757-9830 Fax #(860) 722-6331, TDD #(860)722-6321

What do the Registrars do?
As Chief Election Officials, they are responsible for the proper conduct of all 
Federal, State and local elections, primaries and all referenda.  Additionally,
conduct mandated voter making activities, encourage and promote this activity 
among the citizens of Hartford.  Supervision and maintenance of all voter 
information and lists.

Why should I vote?
It is absolutely critical to our Democratic processes that we all exercise our 
right to vote. Choosing people who represent us in just about every facet of 
our lives is a very important responsibility in a Democracy.

Does my vote really make a difference?
As many elections (particularly local ones) are won or lost by very small 
margins (over the years we have had several elections won or lost by single 
digit numbers) everyone's vote is meaningful.

Are Registrars voted into office?
Hartford Registrars of Voters are elected to four year terms. 
The last election was the 2004 Presidential Election. The next election 
will be November 2008. The current term ends 1/5/2009

Why should I register with a Political Party?
Under Connecticut Statutes you cannot vote in a Political Party's 
Primary unless you are a member of its Party.

If I am not in a Political Party, what is my status called?
You are an "unaffiliated" voter.

If I join a Political Party, must I vote for that party's candidate?
Your vote is secret and you may vote for anyone you choose in 
the November election.

What maintains the integrity of the Registration System?
There is a Registrar of Voters from each major Political Party 
and election officials and workers for the most part have
representation from each major Political Party.

Under what conditions can I vote by Absentee Ballot?
      You are on active duty with the Armed Forces
      You are absent from town during all the Voting Hours on Election Day
      You are ill
      You are physically disabled
      Your religion tenets forbid secular activity on the day of Election, 
      Primary or Referendum
      You are working as an election official or worker at a 
      polling place other than your own.

How can I get an Absentee Ballot?
Contact the Town Clerk's Office at (860)757-9750 or stop by 
their office in City Hall and request an application, fill it out and 
return it to the Town Clerk.  Once the Town Clerk's office receives 
your application request a ballot will be mailed to you.

Why should I tell the Registrars when I move into town?
It is important to vote in the correct district to make sure you 
are voting for the office holders who represent you as they differ 
through-out the City.  When you move, call 757-9830 and inform the 
Registrars of your address change within the City.  When we do our 
mandated Annual Canvass of Voters, beginning in January each year, 
the Registrars might be advised that you have moved.  If your forwarding 
information has expired, and we cannot determine your address, your name 
will be removed from the active voting list to the inactive, which may cause 
you a delay at the polls.

What if I move out of town?
It is necessary to register in your new town.

If I move back into Hartford, do I need to re-register?
Yes, whenever you break residency you must re-register.

What if I am in the Armed Forces and move about frequently?
Armed Forces members are treated differently and will be retained 
at the address they give us until we are advised differently, or they 
can contact their base recruiting officer to obtain a federal post 
card application.

What if I am in a nursing home?
You may retain your prior address even if the nursing home is out 
of town so that you may continue to vote for the people and offices 
you are most familiar with.

What happens if I am convicted of a felony?
If convicted of a felony before 1/1/02 - You may restore your 
voting rights by contacting the Registrars of the town where you 
live and present written or satisfactory proof that you have been 
released from confinement or parole or if you were never committed   
to the custody of Dept. of Correction, you must present written 
or satisfactory proof  stating that.  

If convicted of a felony after 1/1/02 - Only those persons committed 
to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for confinement in 
a correctional institution or facility or a community residence lose 
their voting rights.  However, you may restore your voting rights 
by contacting the Registrars in the town of your last reported residence.  

Only those persons committed 
to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for confinement in 
a correctional institution or facility or a community residence lose 
their voting rights.  However, you may restore your voting rights 
by contacting the Registrars in the town of your last reported residence.  

How do I make changes to my voting status or information?
All voter status changes are made with the application form which 
is a multiple use form. Changes of address, name and Party enrollment 
changes as well as new registration can be done on Form ED 671--
Mail-In Voter Registration Application.

If I am not presently in a Party, how quickly can I join one?
If you are not currently in a party, you will be in the new Party 
of your choice immediately upon the receipt, by the Registrars, 
of your completed Form ED-671 (See Above). There is a 90 Day 
waiting period to change from one political party to another party,
then you are automatically placed in your new Party. If you want to 
go from your present political party to Unaffiliated,  the 90 Day rule 
also applies.  A new registration card (ED-671) must be filed for any 
party changes.