Voting has started earlier than ever for more voters this year — so here’s an early guide to articles about competitive races to help you figure out how to mark your ballot.
Absentee ballots are being sent to over 10,000 New Haveners in advance of the Nov. 3 election. Many have already arrived.
Click here to find out where to vote in person on Nov. 3 and what districts you live in. Click here for absentee ballot information.
Before voting absentee, make sure you got the right ballot in the mail — meaning your name appears not just on the outside envelope, but also on the inside envelope in which you return the ballot. (This story describes how some New Haveners have received the wrong ballot, and what to do about it.)
Following are links to stories about some of the more competitive New Haven and Hamden races. We will update this list as the campaign proceeds. (We usually wait to publish this until the day before Election Day, but wanted to get information out earlier this year to the record number of mail-in voters.)
17th State Senate District
This is expected to be the closest state legislative race in the season, if not the state. Republican State Sen. George Logan faces a return challenge from Democrat Jorge Cabrera for the seat, which represents parts of Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge, and all of Derby, Ansonia, Bethany, and Beacon Falls. Logan beat Cabrera two years ago by 77 votes. This story recounts their recent campaign debate. This article details the candidates’ clashing views on the role government.
U.S. Congress
Incumbent Democrat Rosa DeLauro faces challenges from Republican Margaret Streicker and Green Justin Paglino. The three candidates debated Thursday night, Oct. 22; read about it and watch the debate here. Click here to read about Streicker’s endorsement by new Haven’s police union and other police organizations, and here to read about her nomination. Click here, here and here to read coverage of some of DeLauro’s recent issues events in town. Click here to read about Paglino’s platform, which includes support for “Medicare for All” legislation and ranked-choice voting. Click here for a story about the rise of “new triablism” in American politics as seen in this race.
Registrar of Voters
Believe it or not, this is the most hotly contested New Haven race. Democrat Shannel Evans and Republican Marlene Napolitano will automatically win reelection due to a state law (written by Democrats and Republicans). This year two third-party challengers — Working Families Party candidate Sergio Rodriguez and Green Party candidate Paul Garlinghouse — are seeking to win a third spot in the office. They make their case in this article. Read about the incumbents’ work preparing for this election here and here.
Peace Referendum
New Haven has a nonbinding referendum on the ballot. It calls for the federal government to move money from the military budget to address city-level priorities, including education, employment, and sustainability. Read about it here.
11th State Senate District
• Here’s a story with interviews with all three candidates: Democratic incumbent Martin Looney, Republican Jameson White, independent Alex Taubes. And here’s a story of a debate they had on Oct. 21. (You can watch it in the above video.)
10th State Senate District
Click here for a story about a debate between incumbent Democrat Gary Winfield and independent challenger Jason Bartlett, or watch it above. (A Republican, Carlos Alvarado, is also on the ballot in the 10th State Senate District race. He declined numerous invitations to participate in the debate, including an offer to propose a date and time that is convenient for him. He said through his campaign manager that he was too busy.)
96th State Representative District
Click here to read about the rematch between Republican Eric Mastroianni and incumbent Democrat Roland Lemar. The sprawling district includes Downtown, East Rock, Cedar Hill and Wooster Square, as well as portions of Fair Haven, Bishop Woods, and the town of East Haven.
97th State Representative District
Click here to read about Republican Erin Reilly’s challenge to incumbent Democratic State Rep. Al Paolillo Jr. to represent New Haven’s east side in the legislature.
88th State Representative District
Click here to follow incumbent Democrat Joshua Elliott and Republican challenger Kathy Hoyt on the doors, including the different ways they address the issue of police defunding.
91st State Representative District
Click here to read about Weruché George’s independent challenge to incumbent Democrat Michael D’Agostino in this Hamden district.
Oh, and President …
Plenty has been written about the Republican and Democratic candidates, neither of whom has campaigned in Connecticut. Here’s a story as well about a visit to New Haven by Socialist Party candidate Gloria La Riva. Here’s an interview with Libertarian vice-presidential candidate Spike Cohen during a visit to town.
Learn more about my campaign at alextaubes.com