UPDATE — Democrat Registrar of Voters Dan Hally predicted this afternoon that turnout for the Branford Presidential primary would be 45 to 50 percent.
As of around 3 p.m., he said 31.9 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots, “a good number,” he said, especially given a windy, rainy day. That translates into 3,106 out of 9,700 Branford voters.
Hally said that District 2 had the highest percentage of voters – 35.6 percent; that’s 371 out of 1,043. District 5 had the highest number overall at 561.
“There’s a lot of passion this year,” he said. “We want an 85 to 95 percent turnout!”
Connecticut is one of five Northeast states holding primaries today and turnout is expected to be higher than in past presidential primaries. In 2012, there was a Republican primary, but no Democratic primary because President Barak Obama was running for re-election.
Earlier in the Day
As of late morning, voting turnout was brisk.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
At District 4, moderator Lowell Collingwood (pictured) said 230 people (10 percent) had voted as of 10 a.m.
Sally E. Bahner Photo
In District 2, moderator Kathy DaRos (pictured)said the total was 19 percent. She noted that some people who were unaffiliated wanted to vote, not realizing that they had to be register as a Democrat or Republican.
Random interviews with voters seem to favor the Democrats.
Michael Montuori, heading into District 4, said he was voting for Bernie Sanders, saying, “I believe in the revolution.”
Steve Kusak said he was voting for Hillary Clinton, “I’m a Teamster.”
Rose also said she was voting for Hillary, “I like her.” “I think she can do a better job,” said Gerry.
Jeannie, a thoughtful Cruz supporter, said, “He’s the one who has the proven record of conservative votes,” adding that he’s “brilliant … a constitutionalist… and pro-life.”
Three Sanders supporters, leaving District 2, agreed that he’s the “conscience.” Doug said, “Hillary may win, but not by a landslide.” Melissa added that he’s a “tireless public servant.”
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. today for the 2016 presidential primaries. Registered voters – Democrats and Republicans – may cast their votes in what is expected to be a tighter Democratic race than expected.
Connecticut is one of five Northeast states holding primaries today and turnout is expected to be higher than in past presidential primaries. In 2012, there was a Republican primary, but no Democratic primary because President Barak Obama was running for re-election.
This year’s presidential primary pits two Democrats, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders against three Republicans, Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. Clinton and Sanders campaign ads dominated the Connecticut news cycle Monday.
File Photo
There has been a surge in voter registration in Branford over the past several months from Short Beach to Stony Creek. Marion Burkhard, the Republican Registrar of Voters, told the Eagle that registering to vote had been “very steady. People are thinking about the primary and looking toward Election Day.”
As primary day winds down, the local Republican and Democratic parties will gather at their favorite watering holes for conversation and good cheer. The Dems will be meeting at the Stony Creek Brewery from 5 to 8 p.m. The Republicans will be meeting in the back room of Burrata Italian Kitchen, 850 W. Main St., from 7:30 p.m. on.
Voter Surge
In early February, there were 17,932 registered voters in Branford. As of Tuesday, April 19, a week before the primary, there were 18,406 for the entire town.
“This is a presidential and the numbers typically go up in presidential years. Four years ago we had an incumbent president so we only had a Republican primary. Eight years ago we had the presidential primary we are having now,” Burkard said.
As of early February, there were 5,950 registered Democrats and 2,943 registered Republicans. The remaining voters were unaffiliated. As of April 19, a week ago, there were 6,296 Democrats and 3,148 Republicans, up by 346 new Democratic voters and 205 new Republican voters. These numbers are expected to rise before primary day.
New data from the Secretary of the State’s office show 29,286 of new voters who signed up between Jan. 1 and April 13 are between the ages of 18 – 29, while 5,232 are under the age of 18. Connecticut allows teens to register to vote early.
Unaffiliated voters were able to register to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary until noon yesterday. There is no Election Day registration for the Presidential Primary. If you need to know your polling place in Branford, Click here.
If you are a registered Democrat or Republican and want to switch parties, it’s too late. It takes three months to move from one party to another. That deadline was Jan. 26. You had to have switched parties by that date.
Where to Vote Tuesday
All seven districts will be open for the presidential primary. See top map.
Two of Branford’s public schools where voters will go are on half-day schedules primary day.
They are Walsh Intermediate School in the 7th District and Mary Murphy Elementary School in the 6th District. The Registrar of Voters has directed voters to use different parking lots near these schools. Signs will be everywhere to tell you where to go. They will read: “Election Day Only Parking.”
No voters will be allowed to use the main entrance to these two schools. Voters at Walsh will use the side entrance, near the entrance to the gym. Voters at Mary Murphy will use an entrance at the back of the school. Additional parking may be found at Patty’s park on Parish Farms Road for Mary Murphy.
“We are doing a lot of signage because of security for the schools,” Burkard said.
File Photo
District 4 voters will vote at fire headquarters this year because Branford Hills School is now closed.
We will update this story throughout the day.
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