Republican selectman candidate Andrea Moore, left, with cardboard images of herself and first selectman running mate Jennifer Tooker, outside the Saugatuck Elementary School polls Tuesday. / Photo by Thane Grauel

By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Voters were trickling into polling places across town Tuesday morning, but the usual crush of early-morning voters before heading to work wasn’t materializing.

“We would have hundreds at each polling place first thing in the morning,” state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-136, the Democrats’ first selectman candidate, said while greeting voters early Tuesday. “Now there wasn’t even a line at 6 o’clock.”

Jonathan Steinberg, Democratic candidate for first selectman, greets voters outside the Westport Library polling station Tuesday morning. / Photo by Thane Grauel

“The assumption is people are working from home, they have the luxury of coming in whenever is convenient for them,” he said of how the pandemic appears to have affected voting patterns.

He said there might be a steadier stream of voters throughout the day, rather than a rush in the morning or after work.

Jennifer Tooker, the Republican first selectman candidate, talks with voters outside the polls at Saugatuck Elementary School. / Photo by Thane Grauel

Voters on why they cast ballots today

Cathy Romano came to vote at the Saugatuck Elementary School polls. She said her main concern this year is the prospect of the Hiawatha Lane housing development in Saugatuck.

“Traffic, emergency services, people living on the street can’t get in and out of their places,” she said of the controversial project.

Her husband, Jerry Romano, said they’ve know Jennifer Tooker, the Republican selectman running for first selectman, for years.

Asked if Tooker got their vote, the Romanos both said yes. “Two hundred percent,” Jerry added.

Cathy and Jerry Romano came to Saugatuck Elementary to cast their votes Tuesday morning. / Photo by Thane Grauel

“Education, infrastructure and town leadership at the top,” Peter Dorfman said outside the Saugatuck polls when asked which issues brought him out to vote this year.

Outside the Westport Library, where the District 9 polling station is located,  a voter who did not want to give his name, said his daughter is heading to high school and that he doesn’t feel she is well prepared. He also worried about local building maintenance problems.

“I want to take care of Westport and take care of the environment,” said Allegra Zemel outside the library. “Anyone who’s promoting that is going to have my vote.”

SES parents Michelle Barman and Helen Martin-Elmer -- Photo Westport Journal
SES parents Michelle Barman and Helen Martin-Elmer tempt voters with baked goods. / Photo, Westport Journal

Sweet incentives for voters

Meanwhile, at many polling stations, there was frosting on the cake — literally — in store for Westporters exercising their right to vote:

Home-baked goodies at PTA-sponsored bake sales. 

Voters at Saugatuck Elementary, Greens Farms Elementary, Coleytown Middle and Long Lots Elementary can support their local PTAs and bring home delectables for the family.

District 9 voters, don’t despair! The Westport Library Café is open until 5 p.m. today.

The Registrars of Voters Office said it would have a statement around noon about how voting has been going so far.

Campaign placards line the approach to the Saugatuck Elementary School polling stations. / Photo by Thane Grauel

What voters need to know

All polls remain open until 8 p.m.

  • Check this database, via the Secretary of the State’s website, to verify your voter registration status and to locate the correct polling station.
  • Click here for the sample ballot of all candidates appearing on Westport’s 2021 election ballot.
  • Election Day voter registration: People who meet standard voter eligibility criteria can register to vote today. The person must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old, be a “bona fide” resident of Westport and “has completed confinement and parole if previously convicted of a disfranchising felony.”

In Westport, Election Day registration will take place today in the Town Hall auditorium, 110 Myrtle Ave., from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Applicants must bring proof of identity and residence.

  • COVID health and safety protocols: People voting in person will be required to wear a mask, although curbside voting is available for voters with a medical exemption, according to the Registrars of Voters office. 

Voters will be asked to stand six feet apart while waiting to cast their ballots.

For Election Day questions or to report a problem, contact the Registrars of Voters office at 203-341-1115.