Redistricting sends Bolton voters to 2 polling places
Jul. 18—BOLTON — For the first time this century, voters will cast their state election ballots at two different polling places.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Bolton will have two polling places for state elections this year because the town was split into two House Districts — the 55th and the 8th — during redistricting.
WHERE: 55th House District: Ryba Hall St. Maurice Church, 32 Hebron Road; 8th House District: Bolton Center School, 108 Notch Road.
Because last year's redistricting process split Bolton into two state House districts — the 55th and the 8th — the registrars of voters had to identify two polling places this year instead of one.
Residents who live within the 55th House district will vote in Ryba Hall at St. Maurice Church, 32 Hebron Road. Those who live within the 8th House District will vote at Bolton Center School, 108 Notch Road.
Republican Registrar Bernice Dixon announced the locations to the Board of Selectmen during a special meeting last month. She said both sites comply with various election and COVID-19 regulations.
A discrepancy in town and state law forced the Registrars to scramble to identify polling locations, Dixon said.
Connecticut law requires that municipalities choose a location 31 days before the primary, which will be held Aug. 9 this year, Dixon said. But Bolton's law requires voters to be legally informed at least six weeks in advance.
Up against a tight deadline, the registrars chose its two best options, Dixon said.
The town held its four budget referendums at Ryba Hall this year despite some selectmen saying they were uncomfortable having residents vote in a church. But Dixon said the decision to use that location was based upon necessity, as Bolton has limited options.
Other locations for the upcoming state elections were similarly limited; Herrick Park doesn't comply with the American with Disabilities Act, and Bolton High School was unavailable, town officials said.
"It may require that we make some physical changes to some of our town facilities in order to facilitate that," Rupert said. "We're going to have those conversations so we can come back to you with a plan for the future."
Selectman Adam Teller said it would be helpful to residents if signs were placed on the boundary line separating the two districts so people know where to vote.
"I'm pretty sure people in those neighborhoods have no idea where they're going to vote or what district they're in," Teller said.
The 55th House District will have a new representative this year with the decision by Republican Robin Green not to seek re-election. The district consists of Andover, Hebron, Marlborough, southern Bolton, and a section of eastern Glastonbury.
In May, Republicans endorsed Steve Weir of Hebron for the seat, while Democrats nominated Wes Skorski of Marlborough.
Weir is a former Glastonbury police officer who lost the 19th Senate District race to incumbent Democrat Catherine Olsen two years ago. Skorski, a small business owner, is chairman of the Marlborough Board of Education.
For the 8th House District, Republicans endorsed incumbent Rep. Tim Ackert, who is seeking a seventh term. Democrats nominated Mary Ann Hansen of Coventry.
The district includes Coventry, Columbia, and parts of Tolland, Bolton, and Lebanon.
Bolton also will have a new leader in the 4th Senate District, which covers Manchester, Glastonbury, Bolton, and Andover. State Sen. Stephen T. Cassano, D-Manchester, said last month he wouldn't force a primary against Democratic nominee MD Masudur Rahman.
Rahman will square off in November against Republican nominee Jacqueline Crespan,
The election is Nov. 8.
