Groton City residents debate timing of city elections
Oct. 26—GROTON — About 25 city residents spoke out Monday evening about whether the city's biennial election should continue to be held in May or moved to November.
The debate has focused on issues of accessibility, clarity for voters, recruitment of candidates and the difference between town and city issues.
The City of Groton's charter calls for the city's municipal elections to be held in May, but a new state law moves all municipal elections to November of the odd-numbered years, unless the legislative body, in this case the City Council, decides in a 3/4 majority vote to instead hold the election in May of the odd-numbered years.
The town holds its municipal elections in November. City residents also vote in the town elections.
At Monday's public hearing, residents, who spoke or wrote letters, presented arguments for holding the elections in May and for holding the elections in November. Fourteen people favored May elections, and 11 favored November elections.
Residents in favor of May elections said the springtime elections are a longstanding city tradition and having a November municipal election would mean voting for both city and town offices at one time, which would be confusing to voters, muddle city and town issues, put the city and the town in competition for candidates, and extend the time voters wait in line. They said if voters want to change the timing of the election, it should be through a charter revision process or a vote by residents.
"I personally prefer the idea of keeping city affairs and town affairs distinct, except in those cases where they would naturally overlap," said resident Bryon Niemann.
Residents in favor of holding the municipal election in November said it would be easier for residents to understand that it's time to vote in November, boost accessibility and equity, including for people who are elderly, have disabilities, rent apartments, are new to the area or who recently became U.S. citizens. In addition they said a November vote would allow voters to only have to take one day off from work, rather than two, combat "voter fatigue," and save money, among other reasons.
Shauntee Duzant said only having to take one day off to vote would be more equitable and help residents who are low-income, don't have a vehicle, or are single parents.
Kevin Trejo, who was in favor of May elections, said it would be confusing for residents to vote for all the different town and city elected positions at once, for example voting for both a city council and a town council, particularly if candidates run for multiple positions. As far as accessibility, he said the political parties are willing to give people rides to the polls and more absentee ballots are available.
Jeffrey Zoglio, who was in favor of November elections, said he feels having two different elections creates confusion and having people go to the polls once, rather than twice, will make it more accessible for people, including the elderly and those with disabilities.
He said if "we do our job of providing adequate information so there is clarity as to what is on the ballot then there should be no issue as far as confusion."
Jean-Claude Ambroise, the chairman of the city's Democratic Committee, asked his Republican counterpart, Robert Zuliani, to join him in presenting a petition from a bipartisan, grassroots effort to have residents' and voters' voices heard. The petition, with more than 370 signatures, requests the city's elections be held in May and also recommends "that any future decision to change the date of the city's municipal elections be made by a vote of the electors during a future city election."
The City Council discussed the issue during its Committee of the Whole meeting, including the idea of having a ballot question about the election, and is slated to take a vote at its Nov. 7 meeting about whether or not to move the election to May.
