Election Guide
Sept. 12, 2023
New Haven Democratic Primary
Last updated: Sept. 8
Inside:
Has My Polling Place Changed?
The Sept. 12 primary will be the first election since a newly redistricted ward map was implemented on Aug. 7 — so depending on where you live, you may be voting in a new ward at a new polling place.
How can I cast my ballot?
The state hasn't yet implemented an early voting system, meaning that the polls will only be open on Sept. 12 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.Absentee ballots can be requested online and in person at 200 Orange St. They must be delivered to the City Clerk by 8 p.m. on election day.
How can I register to vote?
New Haven citizens can register to vote in time for the primary in person at 200 Orange St. until Monday, Sept. 11, at noon.Unlike the November general election, there is no same-day registration option for the Sept. 12 primary.
Who's on the ballot for mayor?
On September 12, Democrats will be able to choose between incumbent mayor Justin Elicker and challenger Liam Brennan.The primary election's victor will run on the Democratic Party line in the Nov. 7 general municipal election. Elicker is also guaranteed a place on the general election ballot by way of the Working Families Party line.While two other candidates — Shafiq Abdussabur and Tom Goldenberg — had sought to run in the Democratic primary, neither had gathered enough validated signatures to qualify. Abdussabur contested this result in an unsuccessful lawsuit and ultimately dropped out of the race. Goldenberg is now running as a Republican and Independent in the November general election.
Justin Elicker
Nearly four years after first taking office in January 2020, Justin Elicker is running for a third term. Before becoming mayor, Elicker ran the New Haven Land Trust and represented East Rock and Cedar Hill on the Board of Alders.He's highlighted accomplishments including:
A surge in city funding from Yale and the state
Creating the COMPASS crisis response team for mental health and homelessness-related 911 calls
An Inclusionary Zoning ordinance mandating affordable housing percentages
A deal to expand Tweed Airport
And he's promised to follow through on:
Redeveloping Long Wharf as a park, vo-tech education, and healthcare hub
Moving Adult Education to Newhallville
Ramping up landlord code violation fines
Opening new youth centers
Liam Brennan
A political newcomer, Liam Brennan is Hartford's Inspector General, tasked with investigating police misconduct. He previously worked as an anti-corruption prosecutor and the head of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center.His housing proposals include:
Overhaul the housing code inspection system
Reform the city's zoning code to encourage more housing density and build units on unused vacant lots
Claim blighted properties through eminent domain
He's also advocated for:
A network of walkable greenspaces connecting every public park
An independent police investigator (like his current role in Hartford)
No drug possession arrests, "community conversation" on how to police drug dealing
Read about the race from additional sources: CT Insider, Yale Daily News.
Who's running for alder?
Incumbents marked with a star; listed in order of appearance on the ballot.
| Neighborhood | Ward | Who's running? | Read more about... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Haven | Ward 15 | Frank Redente, Ernie Santiago* | Democrats' non-endorsement Santiago's fundraiser Redente's campaigning |
| The Annex | Ward 17 | Salvatore Punzo*, Camille Ansley | Each candidate |
| Morris Cove | Ward 18 | Salvatore DeCola*, Susan Campion | The candidates' stances on climate and Tweed The ward committee's endorsement A resurfaced hit-and-run |
| Newhallville | Ward 20 | Brittiany Mabery-Niblack, Addie Kimbrough | The candidates' pitches Mabery-Niblack's work with senior tenants Kimbrough's canvassing |
| Dixwell | Ward 22 | Jeanette Morrison*, Anthony Geritano | Morrison's announcement Geritano's door-knocking |
| Westville | Ward 25 | Adam Marchand*, Dennis Serfilippi | Debate highlights: Homelessness Tax assessment |
City Clerk and Board of Education races are slated for the November general election.
Find more political coverage from the New Haven Independent here.