newhavenvotes

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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of SEEC and the 20th Anniversary of CEP

Join us at the Capitol on May 22 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the 20th anniversary of the Citizens' Election Program (and also the 20th anniversary of the enabling legislation for the New Haven Democracy Fund).

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Voting Rights Conversation

Join us at the Capitol for a discussion on HB 7229.

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Spring 2025 Newsletter

Dear Friend of New Haven Votes,

I just wanted to let you know about a couple things we are working on:

* Public Hearing on Municipal Charter Revision Transparency Bill, March 7

For several years we have been supporting legislation to improve the way the municipal charter revision process works in Connecticut. Over the last few years, this proposed legislation has been refined to the point where we feel confident it addresses many of the potentially valid objections -- we believe that in its present form it is a very strong proposal that should draw bipartisan support. This year's version of the bill, House Bill 7125, will have a public hearing this Friday, March 7 at the GAE Committee. 

HB 7125: An Act Concerning Referenda on Revisions to Municipal Charters and Home Rule Ordinances

Public Hearing on Friday, March 7th, 11am

Government Administration & Elections Committee We urge you to submit testimony in support of this bill, which would dramatically enhance the transparency of the charter revision process, particularly the way charter revision questions are presented on the ballot for voters. You can read our testimony on a previous version of the bill here.   There are some other pieces of legislation we are closely monitoring in the current legislative session, including a proposed constitutional amendment to allow for "pre-registration" of 16-year-olds (so that when they go for their drivers' license, they can be 'pre-registered' into the state's centralized voter database once they turn 18). Currently, only 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the next general election are eligible to register to vote in Connecticut. Some version of pre-registration is offered in 20 other states, which have a higher percentage of 18-year-olds registered to vote as well as a higher percentage of 18-year-olds who actually vote, compared to states not offering pre-registration. Please contact your legislators about HJ-47 and let them know you support pre-registration in Connecticut! We expect to have an update shortly about legislation specifying the details of how no-excuse absentee ballots (approved by voters last fall) will work in Connecticut, and we will send you that information once we get it. 

* "Next Gen Elections" Program -- Please Help Spread the Word About This Paid Youth Leadership Program

We have been asked to help get out the word about the Secretary of the State's Next Gen Elections Program, which is a paid opportunity for students and young people to get involved with the democratic process and elections administration. Below is a message from the SOTS and there are some flyers attached for your reference as well. Thanks for helping us get out the word about this great civic engagement opportunity for our youth!

NEXT GEN ELECTIONS PROGRAM -- PAID LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Our office is launching the second year of an exciting program for college students called Next Gen Elections. We hope you’ll share this invitation to apply with your students who will be attending a CT college in the fall, as well as any clubs, groups, educators, parents or others who can help promote the program!   We’re looking for 30 civic-minded students around the state who want to learn more about the democratic process, gain leadership skills, and serve their communities during the 2025 municipal elections as poll workers.   We had great success in the first year of the program with our 2024 Cohort. Registrars of Voters found students to be invaluable additions to their teams, noting that they were “beyond wonderful” and “highly motivated.” Students were thrilled with their experiences, with 70% indicating that they were very likely to return to election work after the program and over 80% indicating that the program has motivated them to vote in every election and be more civically engaged.   Next Gen Elections provides:   Requirements: How to Apply: Please see the attached file (marked “to email”) for additional information, FAQs, and a link to the application. Please share this opportunity with widely! I am also attaching a more print-friendly option if you would like to post or share physical copies on campus.   Applications are due by midnight on Friday, March 28. Civic engagement is a valuable life lesson, and we encourage students of all disciplines to apply, not just those who foresee a career in government.   Through Next Gen Elections, young people will be at the forefront of Connecticut elections. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!   Best regards, Arienne Orozco Director of Outreach and Engagement Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State Cell: 860.422.0845

Thanks for your ongoing support, and please do not hesitate to contact us with questions and concerns.

Aaron Goode New Haven Votes Coalition newhavenvotes.org facebook.com/NewHavenVotesCoalition

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Public Hearings & Workshops on the City Budget

The Finance Committee will hold meetings in the Aldermanic Chamber, 165 Church Street, New Haven, on the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 Budget, as listed below.

Public Hearings: The Finance Committee solicits testimony from members of the general public regarding the proposed City Budget. 

Thursday, March 20th @ 6 PM Public Hearing #1

Wednesday, April 9th @ 6 PM Public Hearing #2

Wednesday, April 30th @ 6 PM Public Hearing #3

Per order: Hon. Adam Marchand, Committee Chair.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call three business days in advance 946‑7651 (voice) or 946‑8582 (TTY).

Workshops: The Finance Committee reviews budgetary matters with officials of the city departments or agencies. Public attendance is encouraged, but public testimony is not allowed. 

Monday, March 10th @ 6 PM – Budget Overview 

Thursday, March 13th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 1 

Thursday, March 20th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 2 

Wednesday, April 9th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 3 

Thursday, April 24th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 4 

Wednesday, April 30th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 5 

Monday, May 12th @ 6 PM – Workshop #6 (If needed)

Deliberations: The Finance Committee is to discuss and vote on the proposed budget. 

Monday, May 15th @ 6 PM

This schedule is subject to change. See official Aldermanic Notice/Finance Committee agenda published prior to each of the Finance meetings.

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City Budget Town Halls

The mayor is hosting two upcoming town halls on the proposed FY 2025-26 budget.

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Ward 28 Special Election on Tuesday, November 19

** ATTENTION BEAVER HILLS VOTERS **

A special election for ward 28 voters only will be held Tuesday, November 19 to fill the vacant ward 28 alder seat.

Early voting will take place on Nov. 14 through Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the ground floor meeting room of the Hall of Records (200 Orange St.).

Election day itself is on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, with voting at Hillhouse High School from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Find your ward here.

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Absentee Ballot Referendum Passes Statewide With Strong Support in New Haven

The Connecticut "no-excuse" absentee ballot referendum passed with a strong majority of over 200,000 votes. In New Haven, support for the amendment was over 70%.

This will amend the CT state constitution to permit any registered voter in Connecticut to request an absentee ballot. Read more here. It will take some time for the State of Connecticut to change the absentee ballot application in order to implement the constitutional amendment, but we anticipate that the implementation will be in place by the time of next year's municipal primaries. 

Thanks to all our community partners and allies who took "Vote Yes" lawn signs, passed out literature, and supported the referendum in different ways in order to expand ballot access for our voters.

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Sample Ballots For November 2024 General Election

Sample ballots for the November general election are now available here. Below is an example for New Haven. Please note that some of the races on your ballot will differ based on your voting district.

Note the positioning of the constitutional amendment ballot question on the right hand side of the ballot. This will be true for all voting districts.

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Absentee Ballots Are Now Available!

Absentee ballots for the November 2024 general election are now available! We recommend going to the City Clerk's office at 200 Orange Street and requesting your AB in-person if possible, but if you are unable to do that, you can request your ballot by filling out the AB application form here and sending it in to the Clerk's office.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about absentee ballots!

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Celebrate National Voter Registration Day With Us

Join us the afternoon of Tuesday, September 17 at the Ives Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library (133 Elm St.) to celebrate National Voter Registration Day, our favorite civic holiday!

From 4-7pm we will be there with voter registration forms, informational materials about early voting and absentee ballots, materials about voting for people with disabilities and voting rights restoration, and lots of cool voting stickers. At 5:30pm there will be a presentation in the Program Room on new voting laws by Patricia Rossi of the League of Women Voters, a Coalition partner.

Come on down and say hello!

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Weekend Voting is Almost Here!

New Haven voters will have the option of voting on weekend days as part of the early voting period leading up to November 5. Early voting will take place on the second floor at City Hall, 165 Church Street. Free parking will be available on the Church Street side for people going to vote early.

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Public Hearing & Workshop on Voting

Last week the New Haven Board of Alders held a workshop and public hearing on preparations for the November election. Read more about how we are working with the Alders and election officials to educate voters about voting options like early voting and about the important voting rights ballot referendum.

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Constitutional Amendment Ballot Referendum This Fall

Now that the primary is over, we are beginning our educational campaign around the constitutional amendment ballot referendum that voters will face this November 5 on expansion of absentee ballot access. Click here for more info or contact us to get involved in spreading the word about this important ballot question! Ballotpedia is also a great resource for those wanting more detail about the legislative history of the constitutional amendment ballot question.

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Sample Ballots for August 13 Primary

See below for Democratic and Republican primary ballots for New Haven. The Democratic primary is just in the 94th state representative district. The Republican primary for US Senate is taking place for all voters citywide. You can also find the sample ballots at the CT SOTS website here.

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Information on Ward Co-Chair Primary Election on March 5, 2024

The primary election is only for registered Democrats in wards 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 18, 28, and 30. Polling places are below.

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Schedule of Public Hearings and Workshops on FY 2024-25 Budget

The Board of Alders Finance Committee will hold meetings, in the Aldermanic Chamber, 165 Church Street, New Haven, on the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2024 – 2025 Budget, as listed below.

Public Hearings: The Finance Committee solicits testimony from members of the general public regarding the proposed City Budget. 

Thursday, March 14th @ 6 PM Public Hearing #1

Thursday, March 21st @ 6 PM Public Hearing #2

Thursday, April 18th @ 6 PM Public Hearing #3

Per order: Hon. Adam Marchand, Committee Chair.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call three business days in advance 946‑7651 (voice) or 946‑8582 (TTY).

Workshops: The Finance Committee reviews budgetary matters with officials of the city departments or agencies. Public attendance is encouraged, but public testimony is not allowed. 

Monday, March 11th @ 6 PM – Budget Overview 

Thursday, March 14th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 1 

Thursday, March 21st @ 6 PM – Workshop # 2 

Monday, April 8th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 3 

Thursday, April 11th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 4 

Thursday, April 18th @ 6 PM – Workshop # 5 

Deliberations: The Finance Committee is to discuss and vote on the proposed budget. Deliberation locations are listed below.

Monday, May 13th @ 6 PM

Thursday, May 16th @ 6 PM (if needed) This schedule is subject to change. See official Aldermanic Notice/Finance Committee agenda published prior to each of the Finance meetings.

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REMINDER: Early Voting Begins March 26

Early voting begins for the presidential preference primary on March 26. New Haven's early voting location will be 200 Orange Street (Hall of Records), Room G-2. Got questions? Contact us!