Connecticut Municipal Primaries Tuesday: 21 Towns, Who Can Vote

Tuesday looks busy at the ballot box for thousands across Connecticut. Democratic voters in 11 municipalities and Republican voters in 10 others will cast ballots in local municipal primaries.

This year stands out not just for the number of contested races—think mayoral showdowns in Hamden and Norwalk, or first selectman battles in Oxford and Sterling—but also because it’s the first time Connecticut offers early voting for municipal primaries.

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With political control of several towns up for grabs, these local races could shape how communities are run for the next two years.

When and Where to Vote in the Connecticut Primaries

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. statewide. Only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary, and there’s no same-day voter registration for primaries.

The primaries are scattered across Connecticut, with big contests in places like Chester, Hamden, Norwalk, Stratford, Oxford, Plainfield, Sterling, Wolcott, Bloomfield, and Voluntown.

Altogether, more than 190,000 Democrats and 38,000 Republicans are eligible to vote in these races.

Key Democratic Primary Races

Democrats have some of the year’s most closely watched races. In Hamden, five candidates want to replace outgoing Mayor Lauren Garrett.

Legislative Council President Dominique Baez holds the party’s endorsement, but competition’s fierce. Other contenders are hustling to win over voters in this solidly Democratic town.

Voters in Norwalk and Stratford will also pick who represents the party in November. In Chester, the focus is on shaping the next phase of town leadership.

Over in Bloomfield, the ballot’s packed—multiple contested races for town council, library board, and board of education make it the most crowded Democratic primary in Connecticut this year.

Republican Contests Across Connecticut

Republicans have their own notable battles. In Oxford, the GOP race for first selectman sets up a rematch between incumbent George Temple and challenger Jeffrey Luff.

Luff narrowly beat Temple in a caucus this summer, which makes this race especially interesting to watch.

First selectman contests are heating up in Plainfield, Sterling, and Voluntown too. In Wolcott, Republicans Paul D’Angelo and James Paolino are fighting for the chance to face unaffiliated Mayor Thomas Dunn, who’s after his 11th term.

Early Voting and Voter Turnout Expectations

This year, early voting made its debut in Connecticut’s municipal primaries. Thousands jumped at the chance—4,753 Democrats and 2,072 Republicans voted early.

Absentee ballots added to the totals, with 1,591 from Democrats and 343 from Republicans.

Turnout for municipal primaries usually stays modest, but local interest could push participation up from last year’s 14% for Democrats and 23% for Republicans.

Primaries tend to attract the most engaged voters, and those who show up end up holding a lot of sway over the November ballot.

Why These Primaries Matter

Outcomes in places like Hamden and Oxford will shape policy on things like education funding, infrastructure, and economic development. Mayors and first selectmen guide budgets, hire staff, and set the tone for community growth.

With so many races decided by just a handful of votes, a small turnout could flip the direction of a town’s leadership. For most residents, local leaders actually have a bigger impact on daily life than state or federal officials—so these primaries really do matter.

Looking Ahead

Winners from Tuesday’s primaries will face their general election opponents in November. In many towns, these matchups decide not just who leads, but which political party gets to shape key decisions.

For places like Norwalk, Stratford, and Bloomfield, where several seats are up for grabs, the stakes feel especially high.

As the sun rises on primary day, everyone’s watching the polling places scattered across Connecticut’s towns. From the busy shoreline to the quiet corners in the northeast, there’s a sense of anticipation.

These races might not grab national headlines, but for folks in each community, they represent democracy at its most local—and honestly, sometimes its most meaningful.

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Here is the source article for this story: Connecticut primaries are Tuesday in 21 towns and cities: Who can vote, when and where

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