By Sarah Opdahl

There is little debate that this year’s Presidential Election is as high stakes as ever and all eyes will be on the results. No one knows this more than election officials around the country and zooming in on New Fairfield, that’s Elisa Beckett-Flores, a democrat, and Dan McDermott, a republican. The two are currently in heavy preparation mode, with just under six weeks until the election. Of note, they are looking for poll workers, the details for which are described below. Both expressed that they are looking forward to “a safe, secure, and accurate election” and want to remind voters to please have a plan for how you will be voting—whether in-person, absentee ballot, or casting a vote early. They stressed that knowing your plan, and the steps needed to achieve it, will help to create a smooth experience for all involved.

Interested in becoming a poll worker? “We continue our work on staffing and organizing the election,” Beckett-Flores said, going on to say, “Anyone interested in participating in the process is encouraged to contact the Registrar’s Office. We generally need about 70 people to staff the two polling locations.” Training is provided for anyone who is interested in becoming a poll worker, which could include working the polling locations on Election Day, or participating in set up, clean up, and other post-election work. Staff typically work within the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. on Election Day. There are some factors that can disqualify someone from becoming a poll worker, such as being a political candidate on the ballot, spouses of candidates, or union representatives. Poll workers must be 16 years of age or older.

The Registrar’s Office is abuzz lately, with McDermott and Beckett-Flores making sure that the voter list is up-to-date and accurate. They also recently approved proofs of the ballots and sent them to the printer; and they are finalizing safety and security plans with other Town officials. Both encourage anyone with questions about voter registration to contact their office prior to Election Day. While same day registration (SDR) is available, it is A more hectic experience than doing so prior to Election Day. In registering to vote, residents must present valid ID—either a Connecticut DMV driver’s license or their Social Security card. Once verified and added to the voter rolls, residents must present an acceptable form of ID at the polls or must sign an affidavit attesting to your identity along with your Social Security Number. Once names are cross-checked, voters receive a ballot and, once complete, the ballot is then placed by the voter into the tabulator machine.

Though turnout for early voting for the Republican Primary in August was extremely light, there is a likelihood that the process will gain traction for the Presidential Election. Early voting begins on Monday, October 21 and runs for two weeks. Voting times vary, be sure to  check the town website at www.Newfairfield.org or the Secretary of the State website at https://portal.ct.gov/sots for up-to-date schedules. Typically, the Early Voting is open at Town Hall from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. every day except Tuesday, October 29 and Thursday, October 31, on which it will be from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Early voting takes place only at Town Hall. Voters will check in at the Registrar’s office, will receive a ballot from the Ballot Clerk, will cast their ballot immediately, and will put it in a secure box to be counted on Election Day.

Absentee Ballot voting is completed with the Town Clerk’s office, who are available for any questions regarding the process. McDermott recommends, “As soon as you know you are going to need an absentee ballot, it would be best to start the process.” Voters can either fill out an application on-line or at Town Hall. Ballot mailing begins Friday, October 4. There is also a program for Permanently Disabled Absentee Ballots for those in need.

Given the increased nationwide skepticism by some, McDermott and Beckett-Flores were happy to share the facts about the safety and security of the election and its results, stressing that voter fraud is a felony and is taken seriously. “We have multiple levels of security. Checks and balances,” McDermott said, going on to say, “ There are always two of us from two parties doing the functions of the election.” Beckett-Flores added, “Moderators, Checkers, Ballot Clerks, Machine Tenders, Absentee Ballot Clerks, etc. are all represented by both major parties. We also have unaffiliated and minor party members who work the elections.” At the end of the evening on Election Day, the checker list must match the number of ballots given out, and the number of ballots given out must match the total count on the tabulator machine. Any necessary hand counting is also added to the total. In addition, “we have paper ballots that are held in secured containers according to state law in the town vault after the election. New Fairfield has invested half of our Voting Grant money from the state on new equipment for the elections. This equipment will be used for the safe and secure transfer of ballots to and from the polls,” Beckett-Flores explained.

The registrars want to remind residents that state law requires a 75-foot circumference from the polling place entrance to be free of politics and campaigning, including inside the polling location. State law also prohibits wearing anything to the polls with a candidate’s name or picture. If voters come to the polls with any candidate promotion, they will be asked to either remove it, cover it up, or turn it inside out.

McDermott and Beckett-Flores know that with such a divided and strongly invested electorate, there will be a heightened sense of emotions. “We ask everybody to be civil,” McDermott said, emphasizing that the “safety of the poll workers and Democratic process is our number one concern.” They shared that patience is of the utmost importance and if any issues with poll workers interacting with the public arise, the police will be contacted. “The election staff are just doing their job and, although there may be a line at times or an issue may arise that holds up a line, the staff is just doing what is required of them, and we all want an election that runs smoothly, accurately and securely,” Beckett-Flores said.  On Tuesday, November 5 the polls will open at 6:00 a.m. The polls close at 8:00 p.m., but anyone on line at 8:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.