In this important election year, the Darien League of Women Voters (LWV) encourages all registered Democrats and Republicans to vote in the CT dual party Primary on Tuesday, Aug. 14.
— an announcement from the Darien League of Women Voters
Four Dates to Keep in Mind
- Aug. 9 (Thursday) — If postmarked by this date, mailed changes for Unaffiliated voters to Democrat or Republican will be accepted. (This does not include those switching from another party. That deadline passed.) — Citizens may register by mail and vote in the primary if the envelope is postmarked by this date.
- Aug. 13 (Monday) — Last day for Unaffiliated voters to switch parties and vote in that party’s primary. — Unregistered voters may register by this date and, if they register as a member of a party, vote in that party’s primary on Tuesday.
- Aug. 14 (Tuesday) — Primary Day — Any mailed absentee ballots for the primary must be received in the Town Clerk’s Office by 8 p.m. on this day.
- Nov. 6 (Tuesday) — Election Day — Teenagers who will be 18 by this date may vote in the primary if registered.
Primary Regulations
Voters registered as Unaffiliated or as parties other than Democrat or Republican are NOT eligible to vote in the August primary but may vote in the November general election. The deadline for a voter to switch between Democrat and Republican parties was May 14.
Voters may switch between Democratic and Republican party affiliation at any time but it does not become effective until three months after filing the necessary forms with the Registrars of Voters.
Teens who will be 18 by Election Day, Tuesday Nov. 6 and have registered as either Democrat or Republican, may vote in the primary. Those registering as a different party or as Unaffiliated are NOT eligible to vote in the August primary but may vote in the November general election.
Switching from Unaffiliated to Democrat or Republican for Primary Voting
Registered Unaffiliated voters may become affiliated with the Democrat or Republican party and may vote in the August Primary if they complete a new voter registration card postmarked by Aug. 9 or appear in person at the Registrars of Voters office in Town Hall by noon on Aug. 13.
A voter registration card may be downloaded from the town government website.
If returning by mail, address to Registrars of Voters, 2 Renshaw Road Darien CT 06820.
New Voter Registration
Voter registration applications may be obtained from the Registrars of Voters at Darien Town Hall, 2 Renshaw Road, and the completed form must either be received by the Registrars by mail, postmarked by Aug. 9 or the applicant may appear in person at the Registrar’s office by noon on Aug. 13.
Applicants may register as any party or as Unaffiliated. However, to be eligible to vote in the August Primary, one must register as a Democrat or Republican.
[Editor’s note: According to the Darien town government website: “A prospective voter, when registering to vote in person must bring a driver’s license or some other form of identification (passport, birth certificate, current utility bill, etc.).”]
Absentee Ballots
Applications for absentee ballots for the Primary may be obtained in person from the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall or downloaded from this Web page. (Note: this will print a document in a legal size — 8 1/2- by 14-inches).
If corresponding by mail, voters should allow adequate time for the application to be received by the Town Clerk, processed, and an absentee ballot sent out by mail, which must be returned to the Town Clerk’s office, prior to 8 p.m. on the Aug. 14 primary date.
Absentee ballots for Darien voters are to be mailed to the Town Clerk’s Office, 2 Renshaw Road, Darien, CT 06820
Where to Vote
If you are unsure as to if or where you are registered to vote, go to this Web page recommended by the Darien Registrars of Voters.
_______________
Every citizen should exercise his/her right to vote. As the LWV puts it, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”