Editor’s Note; Updated 11/3 to correct District 137B voting place to Jefferson School, 75 Van Buren St.
Election Day is less than a week away and you’re certainly being bombarded with text messages, robo-calls, social media posts and ads, and yard signs touting the candidates’ espoused positions. But not so much with just the basics about where, when and how. So we put together this straightforward guide.
When and what are we voting on?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. In Norwalk, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting is already under way (see below).
This is an even-numbered year so that means it’s a federal and state election cycle. So we’re voting for President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Senator, State Representative. Plus local Registrar of Voters. There is also a referendum question concerning absentee ballots
In Norwalk, municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years when offices like Mayor, Common Council, and Board of Education are on the ballot. Taxing District Elections are held in those years as well. State and federal elections are held in even-numbered years.
Can I still register??
Yes, but only in-person and only at City Hall.
Connecticut law allows for same-day registration for general elections, so if you have not registered to vote by the general election cut-off dates, it is still possible to go to City Hall on Election Day between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. or during all days of early voting.
For same-day registration at City Hall, be prepared to prove your identity and Norwalk residency. This can be a single valid ID, like a current Connecticut driver’s license, or with documents that prove identity and residence separately, like an ID with name and old address (which proves identity), plus a current (within the last 30 days) utility bill or another document proving Norwalk residency.
What if I moved or changed my name recently?
If you changed your name , and it differs from what is shown on the voter lists, you must fill out a new voter registration card at your polling place before you vote. Make sure to fill in the part of the form that provides space for your old name.
If you have moved within Norwalk (and your name is on the official checklist at your old polling place), you should report to the polling place for your new address. You should fill out a new voter registration card before you vote. Make sure to fill in the part of the form that provides space for your old address.
Early Voting and Absentee Ballots
Early voting began Monday, Oct. 21, and will continue until Sunday, Nov. 3. Times are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day except on the final Tuesday and Thursday, when early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Absentee ballots for the general election are available from the Town Clerk’s office at City Hall, 125 East Avenue. Ballots are not available at the Registrar’s Office. Fill out an application, and if requirements are met, an absentee ballot will be granted. This can be done all in one day, in person at City Hall; or it may be done by mail, in which case it takes longer.
Where can I vote on Election Day?
Norwalk’s voting districts were redrawn in 2021 to account for population changes in the city, resulting in the addition of District 143, which used to be centered in Wilton. Be sure to check to make sure you know your district and polling location.
Voting locations depend on individual addresses in the city and the descriptions below are approximate. If you have any questions of where to vote on Election Day, call the Town Clerk’s office at (203) 854-7745 or the registrar’s office (203) 854-7996. We have also provided a map of legislative districts for your reference.
You may also look up your voter registration information, as well as where to vote by checking out the State Voter Registration Lookup website.
Norwalk Polling Locations
District 137A — Covers sections of East and South Norwalk near Calf Pasture Beach and Shorehaven area – Marvin Elementary School, 15 Calf Pasture Beach Road
District 137B – Central Norwalk area including Wall Street and West Avenue areas – Jefferson School, 75 Van Buren Street
District 137C – Northern Central Norwalk including parts of East Rocks and Main Avenue areas – Tracey School Hall, 20 Camp Street
District 137D – Central Norwalk areas east of the Norwalk Green bordering West Avenue and George Street – Rear of Nathan Hall Middle School, 176 Strawberry Hill Avenue
District 140A – Central Norwalk north of I-95 and west of Stuart Avenue near the hospital – Kendall Elementary School, 57 Fillow Street
District 140B – South Norwalk areas south of I-95 and east of Water Street – Columbus School, 21 Hunters Lane
District 140C – South Norwalk areas south of Soundview Avenue to Tory Hill Lane – Maritime Odyssey Preschool (Nathaniel Ely), 11 Ingalls Avenue
District 141A – Southern and Coastal Rowayton area/Darien – Rowayton Elementary School, 1 Roton Avenue
District 142A – West Norwalk area south of Ponus Avenue and bounded by Darien and New Canaan borders – Brookside School, 382 Highland Avenue
District 142B – West Norwalk areas south of New Canaan Avenue – Fox Run School, 228 Fillow Street
District 142C – Northwest Norwalk and Silvermine areas, north of New Canaan Avenue – Silvermine School, 157 Perry Avenue
District 142D – Northern Norwalk, West Rocks, and Cranbury areas – West Rocks School, 81 West Rocks Road
District 143A – Eastern Norwalk areas near Norwalk High School to the Westport border – Front of Nathan Hale Middle School, 176 Strawberry Hill Avenue
District 143B – Northeastern Norwalk areas north of Westport Avenue to the Wilton border – Wolfpit School, 1 Starlight Drive
What are the major races and who is running? (OK, we know you know this but we want to be thorough.)
National Races
President/Vice President
On the Democratic ticket, current U.S. Vice President and former California Attorney General Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, are running against Republican candidates Donald J. Trump, former U.S. president and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.
Physician and environmentalist Jill Stein and running mate Rudolph “Butch” Ware III, a professor at the University of California-Santa-Barbara, are endorsed by the Green Party.
Atlanta political activist Chase Oliver and former economist and Florida police officer Mike ter Maat are endorsed by the Libertarian Party.
Environmental activist Robert Kennedy, Jr. and California attorney Nicole Shanahan are running as petitioning candidates. Kennedy suspended his candidacy but still remains on some ballots.
U.S. Senate
Incumbent State Senator and Wethersfield native Christopher S. Murphy is endorsed by both the Democratic Party and Working Families Party, and is running against Manchester native and business owner Matthew M. Corey, who is endorsed by the Republican Party.
Guilford resident and scientist Justin C. Paglino is running on the Green Party ticket.
Avon entrepreneur and former U.S. Marine Robert Finley Hyde is running on the Cheaper Gas Groceries Party ticket, which he founded in 2024.
U.S. House of Representatives
For 4th District Congressperson, the Democratic incumbent since 2009 and Greenwich resident Jim Himes will be challenged by Republican Michael Goldstein, a Greenwich physician. Norwalker and manufacturing mechanical engineer Benjamin Wesley is endorsed by the Independent Party.
Connecticut General Assembly Races
Connecticut State Senate
Incumbent District 25 Senate Majority Leader and Norwalk native Bob Duff (D-25) is endorsed by both the Democratic and Working Families Party, running against Republican civil engineer and Norwalk resident Martin Tagliaferro.
Connecticut House of Representatives (By District)
District 137
Elected in 2022, incumbent Kadeem Roberts is running on both the Democratic Party and Working Families Party ticket, faced by Republican challenger Pietro Rotondo.
District 140
Incumbent State Rep. and former Common Council member and World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Travis Simms (D-140) is endorsed by both the Democratic Party and Working Families Party, and is challenged by Republican Enrique Santiago, an at-large Common Council member and pharmacy technician at Norwalk Hospital.
District 141 (Rowayton and Darien)
For representative of Rowayton and Darien, Darien resident and wine importer Sheila Quinn is running on the Democratic Party ticket challenging Independent incumbent and Darien resident Tracy Marra.
District 142 (Silvermine and New Canaan
New Canaan resident, certified personal accountant, and incumbent since 2019, Lucy Dathan is running unopposed on both the Democratic and Working Families tickets.
District 143 (Norwalk and Westport)
A Norwalker for 10 years, incumbent Deputy Majority Caucus Chair and Assistant Majority Leader Dominique Johnson is running on the trifecta tickets of the Democratic, Working Families, and Independent Parties. She is challenged by Republican Peter Bang, an investment banker and resident of the Cranbury area of Norwalk.
Local Municipal Races
Norwalk Registrar of Voters
Incumbent Democratic Registrar Stuart Wells III is running unopposed.
Norwalker Diana Palladino-Christopher is running for Republican registrar in place of Brian J. Smith, who is not seeking reelection.
Norwalk resident, mental health counselor and daughter of former Norwalk school superintendent Ralph Sloan Kathryn Price-Snedaker will once again attempt to force the creation of a third registrar in the city by running on the independent ticket.
What is the ballot question?
“Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”
Under the current state constitution, qualified voters may cast an absentee vote only if they are unable to vote in person at their polling place on election day due to absence from their city or town, sickness or physical disability, or religious beliefs prohibiting secular activity on that day. Currently, 36 states, including most of New England, allow absentee ballots to all voters or conduct elections by mail.
If the amendment is approved, the state constitution would no longer limit the reasons why absentee voting may be used. Connecticut election laws are embedded in the state constitution, so an approval would expand the state legislature’s authority to pass laws regarding voting by qualified voters who will not appear at their polling place on election day.
OK, now get out there and cast your ballot.
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