The 2020 United States Census was the impetus for the most widespread redistricting that Connecticut had seen in decades. New Fairfield, and Fairfield County as a whole, experienced a large population growth which impacts representation. New polling places are being established to accommodate a myriad of issues, among them the larger number of voters per polling place. 

The Town’s State Senate Districts will increase from one to two, the 24th and the 30th. The 138th House district will no longer include New Fairfield–the area that used to include 138th will now be absorbed into the 108th. Town Registrar Elisa Beckett-Flores explained that, “The best way of explaining the process is they try to make each district equal in population as best they can. That means, some districts need to geographically shrink because their population grew, and some districts geographically enlarged due to their population shrinking.”

She went on to clarify that the 138th House District was, “no longer a needed part of New Fairfield and Ridgefield and is now completely within Danbury. The 24th Senate District didn’t need all of New Fairfield, but the 30th Senate District n eeded more residents. This is why New Fairfield went from one to two Senate districts and from two House Districts to one.”

The redistricting is completed at the state level by a bipartisan committee that takes the census data in consideration and holds public hearings to gain input on what the public would like to see (if possible) for redistricting. Beckett-Flores noted that, “For the majority of the town, the lines are straightforward where residents are in their new districts. There are, however, twelve roads that fall on the border of the two districts. On those twelve roads the distinction falls to house number, depending if they are on the odd or even side of the road.” The districts are split 60% in the 30th and 40% in the 24th.

According to state law, voters need to vote in the district in which they live. Given that, Company A Firehouse is no longer a suitable location for voting. Beckett-Flores explained, “Based on the new district lines, the only municipal building large enough to hold an election in the 30th Senate District is the Senior Center. Also, the Company A firehouse would not be able to hold the volume of traffic, parking, and space inside for 40% of town residents in the new district.” Residents in the 30th Senate District will now vote at the New Fairfield Senior Center and the 24th Senate District will cast ballots in the New Fairfield Middle School cafeteria. In the future, after construction, the elementary school campus will be evaluated for polling place suitability. Beckett-FLores explained that she and her counterpart Registrar will “review the site for accessibility guidelines, parking, and HVAC needs, as determined by the Secretary of the State. The Secretary’s office and the Registrar’s office will have to certify if the completed building meets those guidelines. During elections, poll workers and moderators work up to 16 hours a day. If the gymnasium doesn’t meet their needs, it can put a strain on workers and equipment, making it difficult to staff in the future.”

New Fairfield residents can find updated polling place locations by visiting the Town Hall or accessing their voting district on the assessor’s GIS maps on Newfairfield.org. There will be extensive signage for future elections in both new and former polling places. Also, before this November’s election, every town address will receive a postcard regarding pilling locations.

Beckett-Flores said of the upcoming elections, “Although we are voting for the candidates to represent the new districts, legislators do not take office in those new districts until January 2023.” She explained that “Senator Craig Minor is retiring from being the senator for the 30th Senate District, the election there is to fill an open seat. Senator Julie Kushner, Representative Patrick Callahan, and Representative Ken Gucker will continue to rep resent New Fairfield until January, unless re-elected” except for Gucker, who would only represent Danbury at that point.

Anyone new to town, or new to voting, can “either register online or stop by town hall and pick up a voter registration form. The DMV provides voter registration to anyone who updates their vehicle, license, or ID card. You can also get a voter registration card at the Library, Senior Center, the High School or with the Registrar’ Office s directly by appointment,” Beckett-Flores said. She wants to remind any registered voter that they “can get an absentee ballot for themselves or a family member at the Town Clerk’s office or by printing the form from the Secretary of State’s website.” She went on to explain that, “The person applying for the ballot can receive one if they are abs ent during any of the hours of voting, if they or a family member or loved one’s sickness or physical disability would limit their ability to vote, service in the armed forces, religious obligations, or if they are working as an election official. We are anticipating some increased use of Absentee Ballots but not likely the volume we had two years ago.”

By Sarah Opdahl