West Hartford Registrars of Voters: 'We're Ready'

West Hartford officials said they are ready for polls to open for Tuesday’s municipal election.

Last year’s election, which included several hotly contested national and state races, saw long lines and wait times at several West Hartford polling locations.

Registrars of Voters Eleanor Brazell and Carolyn Thornberry said at a subcommittee meeting on Thursday that the municipal election likely won’t have the same issues as last year.

For one, presidential elections tend to draw about 80 percent of the registered voters in town to the polls. Municipal elections, according to Thornberry (D), will likely bring between 30 to 35 percent of the register voters in town.

In addition, Brazell said that the registrars have divided the voting books more equitably to reduce lines, hired extra checkers, and increased lines in some locations.

“We learned from last year,” Brazell said. “We’re ready.”

There are 9 polling locations in West Hartford and, for the first time, same-day registration that will take place in Room 400 of the Town Hall.

Mayor Scott Slifka and Town Council Minority Leader Denise Hall, along with Town Manager Ron Van Winkle and Deputy Corporation Counsel Pat Allair, have met with the registrars for nearly a year to work on Election Day issues.

“Thank you to both of you,” Slifka said to the registrars on Thursday. “Not only have you worked to fix the problems from a year ago, the state imposed new requirements on you. We all hope it goes well.”