Elections and Voting FAQ

What is General or Federal Election?

A General election is an election involving all or most constituencies of a state or nation in the choice of candidates.

Who can vote in the General or Federal Election?

To vote in the General or Federal election a person must be:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • A U.S. Citizen
  • Registered to Vote
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What is Municipal Election?

A Municipal election refers to the process by which town officials are elected. Municipal elections are held every two years on the first Tuesday that falls after the first Monday of the month.

Who can vote in the Southbury Municipal Election?

To vote in the local election a person must be:

  • A resident of Southbury
  • 18 years of age or older
  • A U.S. Citizen
  • Registered to Vote
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What is a Primary?

A primary is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for an election.

Who can vote in a Primary?

Party affiliation is required for primaries in Connecticut. That means that people may vote in a party's primary only if they are registered members of that party.

Unaffiliated voters (those not enrolled in any political party) may enroll in a party up to 12:00 NOON the last business day before the primary. If a form is mailed in, it must be postmarked one week in advance or hand delivered by noon the day before the primary.

If you are already enrolled in a political party but want to vote in a primary of another party, you must enroll in the new party at least 90 days in advance.

To enroll in a new party you must complete a voter registration form indicating the changes you wish to make. This form must be hand delivered to the Registrar of Voters office or mailed to:

Southbury Town Hall
Registrar of Voters, Room 206
501 Main Street South
Southbury, CT 06488

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What is a Caucus?

A caucus is meeting of the members of a particular political party at which they select candidates or decide policy.

Who can vote in a Caucus?

Party affiliation is required for caucuses in Connecticut. That means that people may vote in a party's caucus only if they are registered members of that party.

Unaffiliated voters (those not enrolled in any political party) may enroll in a party up to 5PM the last business day before the primary. If a form is mailed in, it must be postmarked one week in advance or hand delivered by noon the day before the primary.

If you are already enrolled in a political party but want to vote in a caucus of another party, you must enroll in the new party at least 90 days in advance.

To enroll in a new party you must complete a voter registration form indicating the changes you wish to make. This form must be hand delivered to the Registrar of Voters office or mailed to:

Southbury Town Hall
Registrar of Voters, Room 206
501 Main Street South
Southbury, CT 06488

You cannot vote by an absentee ballot in a caucus.

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What is a Referendum?

A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular budget or proposal. Most referendums are held to decide money issues.

Who can vote in a Southbury’s Referendum?

To vote in a referendum a person must be:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • A U.S. Citizen
  • Registered to vote OR a property owner ($1,000 or more worth of property as listed on Grand List.)
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How can I register to vote?

Please visit our page How to Become a Voter for all the registration information.

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Can I vote by Absentee Ballot?

Yes, you can vote by absentee ballot in General, Municipal and Primary elections and Referendums. It is advised to start the process early. You will need to fill in Absentee Ballot Application first which you can obtain from Town Clerk’s office. For information please visit Town Clerk’s web page on absentee ballots.

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Where can I vote?

Southbury is divided into 5 polling sites:

  • Voting District #1, Firehouse, 461 Main Street South
  • Voting District #2, Sacred Heart Church, RT 172 & Main Street South
  • Voting District #3, Rochambeau School, 100 Peter Road
  • Voting District #4, Walzer Family Jewish Com Center, 444 Main Street North
  • Voting District #5, Public Library, 100 Poverty Road
Voters must vote in their assigned polling site during elections. To find your voting district and a polling location please visit Voting District page.

Voting for all referendums takes place at the Firehouse on 461 Main Street South.

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What are acceptable forms of identification to vote?

In order to be able to vote you must show a valid ID. Valid ID's include (only ONE is necessary):
  • A valid driver’s license or other photo ID
  • U.S Passport
  • A pre-printed form of ID, like a tax bill or utility bill, pay stub or bank statement
  • Social Security card or other government document that shows your name and address
  • A document that shows you name and signature (i.e. a credit card)
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