We'd like to remind voters who are registered as a Democrat or Republican to mark their calendars for the upcoming primary elections on Aug. 10.
Did you know that you could make a real difference when you vote in a primary? In a low-turnout election like this one, a single vote could determine the election's outcome. So remind your spouse, your family, and your friends to participate in the Aug. 10 primary if they are registered with a major party.
Residents who are registered as unaffiliated and who wish to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary may do so. However, to do this they must register with a major party at either the Registrar of Voters or Town Clerk before Monday, Aug. 9 at 12:00 p.m. They may later resume an unaffiliated registration.
If you're unable to vote at your Darien polling place on August 10th, you can vote by absentee ballot. Pick up an absentee ballot at Darien's Town Clerk office (Town Hall Rm. 101) before the election or download an absentee ballot from the town's website and mail your absentee ballot to the Town Clerk. Check with the Office of Town Clerk (203-656-7307) for absentee ballot deadlines.
Finally, August 2010 marks the 90th Anniversary of women's right to vote. The 19th Amendment was successfully added as an Article to the U.S. Constitution when the required 36 states completed ratification on August 18, 1920. Fittingly, the League of Women Voters was formed that same year to educate the newly franchised women regarding topics and candidates that they would vote for at the polls. The LWV has proudly sustained its long history through current day as a nonpartisan political organization that works to improve government by educating voters, men and women, by way of disseminating information on issues and candidates and encouraging citizens to participate in government.
Remember, if you are a registered Democrat or Republican, vote on Tuesday, August 10th, in your party's primary election.
The authors are co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Darien.
