Category Archives: Politics

Key Points on How to Request Absentee Ballots for the State Election, Referendum

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LYME/OLD LYME — On Tuesday, Nov. 8, voters in Lyme and Old Lyme will cast their ballots in not only the State Election but also the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools $57.6 million Bond Referendum for renovation and expansion of four school buildings. 

If you wish to vote by Absentee Ballot, there are some important points to understand about how you obtain your ballot. The key issue is that you must request two separate Absentee Ballots – one for the Election, and one for the Referendum.

You cannot request both Absentee Ballots on the same form,

Also, you cannot request the Referendum Ballot via the state of Connecticut’s online portal.

You should submit your applications as soon as possible to receive your ballots and then return them in time to be counted.

The last day for Town Clerks to issue Absentee Ballots is Monday, Nov. 7.  

Completed ballots must be returned no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The Town Clerk of the town in which you are registered or qualified to vote is the one who will handle you ballot request(s).

You can request an Absentee Ballot for the State Election in one of three ways:

  • Online via the State of Connecticut Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal at https://oabr-sots.ct.gov/. If you have a valid Connecticut Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID number, you may use this portal to request your absentee ballot for the State Election only. The Town Clerk’s office will receive applications daily from the State, and your Absentee Ballot will be processed by the Town Clerk’s office and mailed to you.By printing out an application from the state’s website at https://bit.ly/2ulgNDz and then submitting it to the Town Clerk’s office in the town where you are registered or qualified to vote.By going to the Town Clerk’s office in person to request an Absentee Ballot.

You can request an Absentee Ballot for the Lyme-Old Lyme Schools $57.6 million Bond Referendum in one of two ways:

  • By printing out an application from the state’s website at https://bit.ly/2ulgNDz and then submitting it to the Town Clerk’s office in the town where you are registered or qualified to vote.By going to the Town Clerk’s office in person to request an Absentee Ballot.

Lyme Town Clerk Linda Winzer helpfully explained to LymeLine why voters need two Absentee Ballots, saying, “These are two separate events occurring on the same day.” She continued, “As you will see in Section III [of the Application for Absentee Ballot], the applicant is directed to “Check only one”, either “Election” or “Referendum”, which necessitates two forms if the voter wishes to vote in both events.”

Winzer clarified, “If someone submits an Absentee Ballot application and has checked “Election” in Section III of the application, they will receive an election ballot.  

If someone submits an Absentee Ballot application and has checked “Referendum” in Section III of the application, they will receive a referendum ballot.  

If they wish to vote in both, they have to submit two forms, one with “Election” checked and one with “Referendum” checked.”  

She stressed, “ If the voter is using the State’s online portal, they will only receive an Election ballot.”

If you are voting in person on Nov. 8, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee ‘Friend-Raiser’ Yields Generous Donation to CT Foodshare

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OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee (DTC) held its inaugural Corn Hole Friend-Raiser for charity on Aug. 27. The Old Lyme DTC selected Connecticut Foodshare to receive the proceeds from the well-attended event.

Held on the lovely grounds of Katherine and Ben Thuma’s home, over 40 people joined members of the Old Lyme DTC and candidates Martha Marx, 20th District Senate seat, and Colin Heffernan, 23rd House seat, for competition and fun. Eight teams battled for the Corn Hole trophy. The competition was fierce and ultimately the father-daughter team “It’s Not A Thuma” took home the coveted prize.

The Old Lyme DTC was pleased to be able to present a check in the amount of $1000 to Connecticut Foodshare. “At this time of year especially, we are so grateful for all of our supporters around the state of Connecticut.” said Bev Catchpole, Chief Giving Officer at Connecticut Foodshare.

The Old Lyme DTC Chair, Mary Jo Nosal, noted, “It was such a good way to meet new neighbors and families. I am proud of the Old Lyme DTC for finding a creative and fun way to reach out to bring people in the community together while helping to address food insecurity in Connecticut.”  

She added, “The Old Lyme DTC welcomes everyone to learn more about the Old Lyme DTC at http://www.oldlymedtc.com.“

Old Lyme DTC, RTC Chairs Respond to Defacement of Stefanowski Signs

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OLD LYME — The signs on J. David Kelsey’s property supporting Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate for Governor, have been defaced.

We asked the respective Chairs of the Old Lyme Republican and Democratic Town Committees for their reaction to this occurrence.

Randy Nelson, Chairman of the Old Lyme Republican Town Committee, responded by email saying, “I have already written about it in CTExaminer. It is disgusting and should be condemned by all people of all parties. On behalf of the OL RTC , I condemn such defacement by anyone directed at any candidate of any party. I would hope the DTC of OL would join me in this assault on civility.”

We asked for a copy of his comments to CTExaminer, but have not yet received a response to that request.

Mary Jo Nosal, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee, also responded by email saying, “The Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee does not support, and has never supported or participated in political sign defacement or removal.

We also notice the increase in vitriolic and unsubstantiated claims against candidates and town officials. It would be useful to hear what the new Chair of the Old Lyme Republican Party offers in the way of solutions to reduce party polarization and the decreased civility he references, including the defacement and theft of political signs on private property, or the inappropriate placement of political signage on State property.

The Old Lyme DTC has been and remains supportive of improved respect for candidates during campaigns and of conduct that reflects the values of all voters in Old Lyme.”

Political Signs Defaced In Old Lyme

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Defaced political sign in Old Lyme, Connecticut on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. Credit: Contributed photo / Courtesy of the CTGOP.

OLD LYME — Less than 24 hours after they were put up along a busy street in Old Lyme, two large signs promoting Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski were defaced with red graffiti, according to property owner J. David Kelsey.

Kelsey, who co-founded the Old Lyme-based real estate private-equity investment company Hamilton Point Investments LLC, is a Republican currently serving as chairman of the town’s Board of Finance. Kelsey also funded the launch in 2019 of the CTExaminer, and in February he contributed $500,000 to the launch of a Super PAC that is supporting Stefanowski’s campaign.

He said the signs were installed on his land around 2 p.m. Saturday and on Sunday were found defaced.

“It’s a little disappointing,” Kelsey said. He added …

Read the full article, titled, Political Signs Reportedly Defaced In Old Lyme, which was written by Christine Stuart and published Oct. 2, on CTNewsJunkie.com, at this link. Both CTNewsJunkie.com and LymeLine.com are members of the national organization LION (Local Independent Online News) Publishers.

Sen’s Blumenthal, Murphy to Attend Presentation on Old Lyme’s Regional Wastewater System, Saturday

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Senator Richard Blumenthal (File photo)

Senator Chris Murphy (File photo)

OLD LYME — A presentation will be held on the Old Lyme Regional Wastewater System on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. in the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.

This is an informational meeting to review the status of the sewer project. Questions regarding the project can be submitted in advance to chairman@oldcolonybeach.org for review by the committee. A panel will then select questions to be answered at the meeting and at the end of the presentation, the selected questions will be answered.

There will be no open Q&A after the presentation.

The meeting will start with the introduction of the four Wastewater Pollution Control Association entities involved with the project.

Then the following Distinguished Guests will make comments:

    • Senator Richard Blumenthal (D)
    • Senator Chris Murphy (D)
    • State Senator Paul Formica (R-20th)
    • Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold (R)

State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) is unable to attend.

The next agenda item will be a PowerPoint presentation regarding the project.

The final item will be a review of the selected questions regarding the project, which were submitted in advance. questions

To attend this session virtually, visit https://oldlymect.webex.com/oldlymect/j.php?MTID=m7bb8ab96d52e54ddb27ed079eb689dfc or dial +1-408-418-9388 and enter access code: 2343 721 4416.