WESTPORT – On Wednesday, July 8, the registrars of voters published a press release stating, in part, “Beginning with the August 11 Primary and continuing for future elections, all voters will cast their ballots at Bedford Middle School, replacing the previous polling locations.”
Many Westporters questioned the move.
Two RTM members from District 3 thought the move was understandable. Adam Drake understood “why they did it–staffing shortages, logistics, security.” Jimmy Izzo thought it was a “Great idea. With early voting–why not give it a try?”
RTM member Matthew Mandell, District 1, did not think it was a good idea. “My members would have had to travel all the way to the other side of town. And for commuters, they’d have to do it during the morning or evening rush.”
The day after that release, the registrars got seriously bad news from the office of the Secretary of State, the agency that oversees voting: your plan breaks the law.
Democratic Registrar Deborah Greenberg appealed to the Secretary of State’s office in an email: “My counterpart and I did in fact go to many pertinent individuals in our town to discuss consolidation … everyone we talked to was in complete support.” Greenberg’s note did not specifically mention engaging the town attorney.
So, on Saturday, July 11, the registrars sent out another release: “In response to the Press Release issued on July 8, and after carefully considering the feedback and concerns expressed by members of the Westport community, the Registrars of Voters and the Town Clerk have decided to return to the original polling places.”
Without explaining why the decision to cut polling sites was made to the public, people were baffled and wanted to know why the flip-flop.
Izzo said it was a shame because the registrars are two of the most helpful, caring town employees. “They are having trouble finding poll workers, this was a good solution.”
Drake said, “People don’t like change…the reversal prioritizes voter access to the polls and it is a strong boost of confidence in the system.”
Mandell says he’s “happy it is back the way it was.”
As Republican Registrar of Voters Maria Signore told Westport Journal yesterday, “The officials ultimately decided to retain the existing polling-place system after receiving significant public feedback and concerns from residents.”
Signore yesterday offered a lengthy explanation about the plan to reduce polling sites from five to one for the August primary and November general election: staffing reduction, saving money and a simpler voting experience. The full document can he seen here:
First Selectman Kevin Christie also was asked about his knowledge and assessment of the decision and its reversal
“I raised questions about the practical implications of moving from five polling places to one … I did not express support for the proposal,” Christie said in an email late Thursday night. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to second-guess decisions that fall within the authority of the Registrars.”
Westporters who want to serve their town by volunteering on the Aug. 11 and / or Nov. 3 voting days, should reach out to Greenberg at (203) 341-1116 or Signore at (203) 341-1117.
I have had the privilege of working with the Westport Registrars of Voters Office for many years. It has been an honor to serve my community and help ensure that our elections are conducted fairly, responsibly, and with the highest professional standards.
What many people do not realize is the tremendous amount of planning and preparation required to make Election Day run smoothly. The Registrars’ Office is a welcoming place where voters receive assistance with registration, updates, and questions about the voting process.
Deb Greenberg, Democratic Registrar, and Maria Signiore, Republican Registrar, have worked together in a truly bipartisan manner with one shared goal: to make voting easier, more efficient, and accessible for every Westport resident while protecting the integrity of our elections.
Recently, concerns were raised about the proposal to consolidate five polling locations into one location at Bedford Middle School, with one resident suggesting that the change was intended to discourage voting. Having worked closely with the Registrars, I can say that nothing could be further from the truth.
The goal was to improve the voting experience by providing easier parking, greater accessibility, streamlined operations, and a more efficient Election Day process. I believe many, if not most, members of the public were unaware of the change, let alone the thoughtful planning and reasoning behind it.
Over the past five years, Deb and Maria have continued to modernize and improve our election process, including:
• Enhancing the Westport Registrars of Voters website to make election information more accessible.
• Improved community outreach, helping Westport achieve an average voter turnout higher than most towns across the state.
• Implemented electronic poll books, improving efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars.
• Updating procedures while maintaining the highest standards of election security and accuracy.
• Demonstrating that collaboration across party lines is essential to good government.
The work of the Registrars is often unseen because, when they do their jobs well, elections run smoothly. That success comes from countless hours of preparation, professionalism, and dedication.
In today’s political climate, public service is challenging. Before questioning the motives of those who have committed themselves to serving our community, I hope we take the time to understand the facts and appreciate the dedication behind the scenes.
Deb Greenberg and Maria Signiore deserve our gratitude and respect for their unwavering commitment to the voters of Westport.