Orange Town Clerk Patrick O’Sullivan is urging all students to register to vote prior to leaving for school or college and to complete an application for an absentee ballot if needed.
“One of the greatest ways we can demonstrate our commitment to our democracy is to exercise our right to a free and secret vote,” O’Sullivan said. “When you look at other countries you immediately recognize it is not something that we should ever take for granted.”
Any U.S. citizen who is at least 17 years old may apply for admission as an elector by preregistering and will become an elector on the day of their 18th birthday.
People who wish to register may complete the voter registration application at Town Hall on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Voter registration application and applications for absentee ballots can also be downloaded from the town of Orange website at orange-ct.gov.
Election day this year is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters in Orange will be selecting their choices for first selectman, members of the Board of Selectmen, members of the Board of Finance, Town Clerk, Tax Collector, members of the Board of Education, members of the Town Plan & Zoning Commission, the Town Plan & Zoning (Deferred Term) Constable, Orange members for the Amity Regional Board of Education and to fill a two-year vacancy on the Amity Regional Board of Education.
Those voting by absentee ballot must first submit a completed application for absentee ballot, which can be done now. Upon receipt of the completed application, the Town Clerk will mail the actual absentee ballot to you; please be sure to have an accurate address. Absentee ballots may be issued by the Town Clerk starting Oct. 4.
The completed absentee ballot must be received by the Town Clerk by election day.
A new election law also allows U.S. citizens to register and vote on election day. Those who wish to do so must register and vote in the registrars’ office in Town Hall.
For further information, call the Registrar of Voters Office at 203-891-4715/4716 or the Town Clerk’s Office.