We will also be in the office on Nov 7, 2011 from 9 AM to Noon for anyone who needs to register who has turned 18, moved into Danbury or became a US citizen after November 1, 2011 (proof of such is required).
About us:
The Registrar of Voters Office is a vital department to the function of the city’s government. This is where residents go to become voters, the most important part of our democracy. The office is governed by Connecticut General Statutes and financially supported by the municipality. The Registrar of Voters, as the chief election officials, have a wide variety of responsibilities from preparing and certifying the official voting list, to ensuring we have fair, accurate and efficient elections. The staff attends meetings regularly called by the Secretary of the State to keep current on new and pending legislation as it is proposed and passed.
In addition to overseeing the elections, primaries and referendums, they maintain the voter registration files, register voters, and conduct an annual canvass of voters. The Registrars are also responsible for making changes to voter lists based on information received from various sources such as the DMV. They also remove those who have been convicted of a felony or have moved out of the city. The Registrars also process all local and statewide petitions. Registrars work with various organizations to maintain voter registration at the highest possible level. Voter registration drives are conducted at the local high schools, senior centers as well as special functions.
Election, Primary or Referenda time is an extremely busy period for the office, as they are responsible for preparing the budget for all elections, conducting the lottery for municipal candidates, making all the arrangements for the seven polling locations in Danbury, and the hiring and training of approximately 300 poll workers and election officials. Just days prior to an election, the office must prepare an official voter list of active and inactive voters for the seven polling places, arrange for the set up and removal of all voting equipment prior to, and immediately after, an election, and inspect and pretest all voting machines. The day of the election, the Registrars must supervise and assist all election officials in addition to voter inquiries. After the election is completed they ultimately submit the election results to the Town Clerk. Election Audits are held at the discretion of the Secretary of the State to help ensure the accuracy of voting machines.
Our accomplishments:
The Registrar of Voters participated in several community events registering voters for Danbury and other Connecticut towns, educating electors on the use of voting machines, and answering voter related questions.
The training of poll workers is an important part of making sure that elections are administered effectively. The registrars focus on ensuring that all poll workers have been properly trained, aware of all the latest laws, and that the election is conducted in a fair and bipartisan manner.
Voting in the last two elections has changed significantly from old lever machines to the new paper ballots and scan voting machines. This new technology keeps the state in compliance with the federal mandates of the ‘Help America Vote Act’. The registrars attend forums with other election officials on voting technology. They share and learn from their counterparts about the best practices in the administration of elections. Due to the series of educational forums that were held to build the skills of election administrators regarding the new voting technology we have had virtually error free elections.
To vote in Danbury, you must be:
a U.S. Citizen
a resident of Danbury
at least 18 years of age and
a registered Danbury voter
How to register, change your name or address, enroll in a political party or change party enrollment:
In person at the Registrar of Voters or the Town Clerk’s office Monday through Thursday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Identification Requirements
By mail (request a registration card from the registrar’s office, complete it and mail it back to 155 Deer Hill Ave., Danbury, CT. 06810).
Department of motor vehicles
Registration Deadlines for New Voters:
Primary: your application must be postmarked by the 5th day before a primary (or received by your registrar of voters by the 5th day before a primary). You may apply in person to your registrar or town clerk until 12:00 noon on the last business day before a primary.
Election: your application must be postmarked by the 14th day before an election or you may register in person with the Registrar of Voters by the 7th day before an election.