New Haven Voter Guide

Nov. 5, 2024
Election

Last updated: Oct. 30

Compiled from interviews with staff at New Haven's City Clerk and Registrar of Voters offices as well as online resources posted to the city and state websites. Thank you to the city staff for your time and effort!

How can I register to vote?

U.S. citizens who reside in Connecticut, are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and will be at least 18 years old at the time of the election are eligible to vote.The voter registration deadline for this election is Friday, October 18.

New Haven residents can register by going to the link above, or by visiting or calling the Registrar of Voters' Office at:(203) 946-8035
200 Orange St. Room 201
New Haven, CT 06510You can additionally fill out and mail this form to the above address.If you believe you are registered already, it's still a good idea to double check.

Missed the deadline? It's not too late!

Connecticut residents can also register to vote in this election both on early voting days and on election day itself.For Same-Day Registration, go to the second floor of City Hall (165 Church St.) during voting hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I've been convicted of a felony?

If you've been convicted of a felony but are not currently incarcerated for that felony, you are eligible to re-register and restore your voting rights.(Exception: If you've been convicted of violating election law, contact the Registrar of Voters at (203) 946-8035.) Read more.

What if I do not have a permanent address?

In Connecticut, even if you do not have a permanent address, you can still register to vote in "a town that you have spent time in, slept in, and intend to go back to, even if you are not presently there." Read more.

What if I don't have a photo ID?

You can still vote! To register in person, you'll need to bring some official proof of your name and address. This can include a photo ID or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or other government document featuring your name and address.

What if I am a college student originally from out of state?

College students can choose whether to register either in Connecticut or in their home states. Read more.

What if I am not yet 18 years old?

If you will turn 18 either before or on November 5, 2024, you can register to vote and even participate in early voting prior to your birthday.

Voting on Election Day

Polls will be open on Nov. 5 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Note: Your polling place may have changed since the last time you voted due to state and local redistricting in recent years.

Also: Some voters are assigned different polling places for state/federal elections in even years (like 2024) and municipal elections in odd years. This year, you'll vote at your state polling place (which should be listed at the link above as well as mailed to you by postcard.)Yale students living in an on-campus dorm: check here for your polling place.

For additional help, contact the Registrar of Voters Office at (203) 946-8035.

(Thomas Breen Photo)

Q: Do I need to bring identification to the polls?

In short, it's helpful to bring an ID, although most voters don't need to.

At the polls, you will be asked to present some kind of identifying document.For most voters**, an official ID card or document confirming your name and either your address, signature, or photograph will meet the requirements. You can even bring in the postcard mailed to you by the Registrar of Voters.In most cases, if you do not have a qualifying document with you, you can vote anyway — you'll just need to sign a legally binding statement confirming your identity.

**Exception:
If you did not register to vote in person, did not provide supplemental identification when you registered, and have not yet voted in a federal election, read more about what you may need to bring.

Early Voting

In New Haven, early voting will take place from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 on the second floor of City Hall (Meeting Room 2 at 165 Church St.).Most days, early voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.On two longer-hour days, Oct. 29 and Oct. 31, early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Same-day voter registration is available on early voting days, in the same location.Parking will be available outside City Hall.

Clara Tolbert registers voters at this summer's Black Wall Street festival. (Karen Ponzio Photo)

Absentee Voting

You can apply for an absentee ballot if any of the following apply to you:

  • You'll be out-of-town on election day.

  • You have an illness or disability that prevents you from voting in-person on election day.

  • You're actively serving in the military.

  • You're prevented from voting on election day due to religious obligations.

  • You're working as an election official away from your polling place.

Daniel Garcia helps his dad, Gerry, vote by absentee in 2020. (Laura Glesby Photo)

In addition to the online application above, you can request an absentee ballot by calling or visiting the Town Clerk's office:(203) 946-8339
200 Orange St. Room 202
New Haven, CT 06510.You can also print out, complete, and mail this application to the above address, or drop the application off in one of three ballot boxes located outside 200 Orange St. and City Hall.

When is the deadline?

Voters who meet the qualifications can submit applications for an absentee ballot up until the day before the election (Monday, Nov. 4).The City Clerk's office will send out absentee ballots to all qualifying applications received by that deadline, no matter how last minute, according to City Clerk Michael Smart — though he noted, "the sooner, the better."Once you receive and fill out the absentee ballot itself, it must be delivered to the City Clerk's office by 8 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.

Don't miss the ballot question!

"Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?"

You'll find that question on the far right side of your ballot this November.The state constitution currently allows absentee ballots only for people who are out of town, unable to vote due to sickness or disability, or prevented from voting on a particular day due to religious obligation.If a majority of state voters answer 'yes' to the ballot question, those restrictions would be removed from the constitution — enabling the state legislature to pass laws expanding the eligibility for absentee ballots.

Why does it matter?

If the referendum passes, it could pave the way for the state legislature to pass "no-excuse absentee voting" — allowing any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without providing a justification.

Learn more:

Who's on the ballot?

Jump to... President | U.S. Senate | U.S. Representative | State Senate | State Representative | Registrar of VotersCandidates listed in order of appearance on the ballot.

D = Democratic
R = Republican
I = Independent
WF = Working Families
G = Green

President & Vice President

You'll see a number of names running for president on your ballot, but the race is really down to Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala D. Harris (with running mate Tim Walz) against Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump (with running mate J.D. Vance).The election is expected to be very close.

Also on the ballot are Green Party candidate Jill Stein (running mate: Butch Ware) and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver (running mate: Mike ter Maat).You'll see Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name listed as an Independent candidate, but note that he has suspended his campaign.Finally, a variety of candidates (such as Cornel West and Claudia De La Cruz) qualified to appear on the ballot in some states, but not in Connecticut.

Tips For Spotting Election Disinformation

- Pay attention to how your news sources get their information.- Try to find the original source of information when possible so you can see how reliable it really is.- Evaluate the source's biases and potential blind spots. (That applies to this guide! Full disclosure: the author is a registered Democrat.)- Look for sources that are transparent about who their authors are and how they are funded.- Keep in mind that images and videos may be AI generated.- The News Literacy Project has compiled a running list of debunked viral rumors.

U.S. Senate

Incumbent Senator Christopher Murphy (D, WF) is running for a third six-year term as one of Connecticut's two U.S. senators.He's facing challenges from Matthew Corey (R), Justin Paglino (G), and Robert Finley Hyde (who founded the Cheaper Gas Groceries party).Learn more:
- Murphy and Corey debated on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
- The CT Mirror asked the candidates about abortion, gun control, the economy, and more.

U.S. Representative

Incumbent U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D) is running for an 18th two-year term to represent Connecticut's third congressional district, which includes all of New Haven.The only candidate running against her who qualified for the ballot is Michael Massey (R).Update 10/28: University of New Haven student Shahd Omar announced a write-in campaign for this seat. At 23, Omar is not old enough to actually serve on the House of Representatives; a Palestinian American activist, she is running as a protest against Congressional support of Israel.Learn more:
- Both DeLauro and Massey spoke to Dateline New Haven about their candidacies.
- The Independent covered their differing takes on public education, SNAP, and algorithmic pricing.
- Learn about Shahd Omar's write-in campaign.
- The CT Mirror asked the candidates about abortion, gun control, the economy, and more.

The state representative and state senate candidates on your ballot will depend on where you live.

State Senate Races:

Both of New Haven's state Senate districts have competitive races this year.District 10:Incumbent Gary Winfield (D, WF) is running for re-election after 10 years in office, facing a challenge from Nyrell Moore (R, I).Both Winfield and Moore spoke to Dateline New Haven about their candidacies.District 11:Incumbent Martin Looney (D) is running for an 18th term, facing a challenge from Steven Orosco (R).Dateline New Haven interviewed both Looney and Orosco.

State House Races:

Three of New Haven's six state House of Representatives districts have competitive general election races.District 92:Incumbent Patricia Dillon (D) is running for re-election after 39 years in office. Morris Sumpter (R) is running against her.Dillon appeared on Dateline New Haven to talk about her candidacy. Sumpter did not show up to his scheduled interview.District 96:
Incumbent Roland Lemar (D) is running for re-election after 13 years in office, facing a challenge from Andrea DiLieto Zola (R, I).Both Lemar and Zola spoke with Dateline New Haven.District 97:Incumbent Alphonse Paolillo Jr. (D) is running for a fifth two-year term against Anthony Acri (R).Acri spoke with Dateline New Haven. Paolillo declined to be interviewed.

New Haven Registrar of Voters Race:

New Haven currently has two party-affiliated Registrars, one Republican and one Democrat, who coordinate election logistics throughout the city.This November, Shannel Evans is running for a third term as New Haven's Democratic Registrar, while Lisa Milone is running for the first time to be New Haven's Republican Registrar and Paul Garlinghouse is running as a Green Party candidate.Because of a state statute requiring the state's two largest parties to be represented in every town's Registrar of Voters office, Evans and Milone will automatically win. If Garlinghouse gets enough votes, he may add a third Registrar position to the office.Learn more:
- Why Milone and Evans will automatically win, and why Garlinghouse wants to create a position as Registrar #3.

Other election resources:

Find more political coverage from the New Haven Independent here.

Guide compiled by Laura Glesby; published on Oct. 15, 2024.Previous versions of this guide were published ahead of the Nov. 7, 2023 general election and the Sept.12, 2023 primary election.