Left to right: Joan Gibson, Ann Prokop, Diane Hoffman, Donna Bouffard, Judy Lhamon, Ana Rodriguez-Robles, Dan Smolnik, Jim Redman, Janet Robinson, April Beichner, Helen Spencer. Also attending Alden Mead and Elona Vaisnys
An hour of training for members of the League of Women Voters of Hamden-North Haven stretched into two as a Joan Gibson, state elections officer from the Secretary of the State office, answered questions that come up when registering individuals to become voters. The June training was arranged by League member Dan Smolnik.
Gibson reviewed voter registration basics, clarified rules about registering 17 year-olds who will be 18 by the November election – 17 year-olds who will be 18 by November can vote in the primary, if they fill out a registration form by August 4 (postmarked) or register in person at their town hall until noon of August 8.
Convicted felons can’t vote, but if they have done their time, paid their fines, and finished their parole they may register to vote. A person on probation retains their right to vote.
A surprising piece of information was that a homeless person who sleeps in a park or at a different friend’s home every night can register to vote. The government only needs an address where the homeless person can pick up their mail. The registrar must send each newly registered voter a letter confirming that they are now registered and may vote in elections. A homeless person who has no driver’s license and no utilities bills addressed to them can use that registrar’s letter as their identification at the polls.
Many people don’t know that they have to fill out a new voter registration card every time they move to a new address, even if it’s in the same town. You can pick up a voter registration form from members of the League of Women Voters at Hamden and North Haven towns’ summer concerts.
The League of Women Voters welcomes as members men as well as women. Contact Robert Sheiman, Membership Co-Chair, to discuss joining the Hamden-North Haven League, email Robert Sheiman or call 203.248-8035.