In a year of fiscal challenges, lawmakers in Hartford are again considering changing state statutes to require municipalities to hold their local elections in November, instead of May or November which current statutes allow. Woodbridge is one of five towns that still hold local elections in May. The Secretary of State’s office supports the proposed measure and has testified in previous years that such a change would produce savings for the cash strapped government in Hartford. In addition, many believe such a change would increase voter participation in municipal elections.

Residents of Woodbridge, concerned with finding ways to help the state government have contacted State Representative Themis Klarides requesting that municipal elections be held statewide in November. This was communicated to the Government Administration and Elections Committee and had been inserted as section 40 of Raised Bill No. 421. Unfortunately, the language was specific to Woodbridge, instead of to all five municipalities holding local elections in May, and without it being applied to all towns, the expected cost savings are less likely to be realized.

A local newspaper report stated

Local residents are wondering why Slossberg and her committee would attempt to interfere with local governance and practices that have prevailed for two hundred years...[and] why the state would have a vested interest in when Woodbridge conducts its municipal elections.

To the extent that the state has oversight over local and regional activities and must incur the cost of that oversight, it seems clear that it should have a vested interested in local activities. A recent related example is the consolidation of probate courts across the state.

Local residents and reporters who wonder why things happen the way they do in Hartford are encouraged to contact their state legislators. Our state legislators are responsive and eager to explain what is being considered in Hartford.

News 12 is now reporting that Sen. Slossberg has bowed to the complaints of a few vocal residents and removed these cost saving measures.

(Originally posted at the Woodbridge Citizen.)