EVENTS
We are thrilled to sponsor meetings and events for both the public as well as League members, and our programming is designed around our mission statement: we encourage informed and active participation in government, work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence policy through education and advocacy.
VIRTUAL CANDIDATES DEBATE
On Tuesday, October 19th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m, the League of Women Voters of New Canaan held our annual Candidates Debate.
New Canaan’s 2021 Municipal Election is on Tuesday, November 2nd. The League of Women Voters of New Canaan hosted the annual Candidates Debate as a virtual livestream October 19th, beginning promptly at 7:00 pm. The debate was limited to candidates running in contested races, so only those standing for the Board of Education (4-year and 2-year terms) participated. Candidates debated in person in the New Canaan Town Hall Meeting Room, led by moderator Laura Smits, President of the LWVCT.
NCTV 79 broadcasted the 90-minute debate, which was also available for livestream via the League of Women Voters of New Canaan's Facebook page and YouTube.com/NCTV79. Following last year’s format, attendance was strictly limited to candidates and LWVCT debate staff.
Please note:
- Following National League of Women Voters policy and Federal Communications Commission’s regulations, the debate will include a minimum of two participating candidates for contested municipal seats only. “Empty chair debates” risk giving one candidate an opportunity to promote his or her campaign, which can be viewed as improper electioneering activity.
- Recordings of this event may not be used without the express written approval of the New Canaan LWV except by media who have registered and are reporting the event.
New Canaan’s 2021 Municipal Election is on Tuesday, November 2nd. The League of Women Voters of New Canaan hosted the annual Candidates Debate as a virtual livestream October 19th, beginning promptly at 7:00 pm. The debate was limited to candidates running in contested races, so only those standing for the Board of Education (4-year and 2-year terms) participated. Candidates debated in person in the New Canaan Town Hall Meeting Room, led by moderator Laura Smits, President of the LWVCT.
NCTV 79 broadcasted the 90-minute debate, which was also available for livestream via the League of Women Voters of New Canaan's Facebook page and YouTube.com/NCTV79. Following last year’s format, attendance was strictly limited to candidates and LWVCT debate staff.
Please note:
- Following National League of Women Voters policy and Federal Communications Commission’s regulations, the debate will include a minimum of two participating candidates for contested municipal seats only. “Empty chair debates” risk giving one candidate an opportunity to promote his or her campaign, which can be viewed as improper electioneering activity.
- Recordings of this event may not be used without the express written approval of the New Canaan LWV except by media who have registered and are reporting the event.
Harvard Case Method: Martin Luther King and the Struggle for Black Voting

The League of Women Voters of New Canaan and the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society will sponsor a community discussion employing the Harvard Case Method, led by New Canaan High School teachers, Amy Rothschild, Paul Phillips, and Kristine Goldhawk.
The topic, “Martin Luther King and the Struggle for Black Voting Rights,” is a timely reminder of how the long and difficult road to voting equality played out during the 1960s, a time many of us remember. The Harvard Case Method Program brings case method teaching to high schools to deepen students’ understanding of American democracy.
Based on the highly successful experience of Harvard Business School and others that use case-based teaching, Harvard's program is currently being used by New Canaan High School teachers across a range of subjects in history and civics. Cases are painstakingly written by Harvard to show students how to think objectively and critically, and thereby reverse the decline in civics education and civic engagement in the United States.
When: October 6th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
*Doors open at 6:30 pm
Where: New Canaan Museum & Historical Society
13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840
The topic, “Martin Luther King and the Struggle for Black Voting Rights,” is a timely reminder of how the long and difficult road to voting equality played out during the 1960s, a time many of us remember. The Harvard Case Method Program brings case method teaching to high schools to deepen students’ understanding of American democracy.
Based on the highly successful experience of Harvard Business School and others that use case-based teaching, Harvard's program is currently being used by New Canaan High School teachers across a range of subjects in history and civics. Cases are painstakingly written by Harvard to show students how to think objectively and critically, and thereby reverse the decline in civics education and civic engagement in the United States.
When: October 6th, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
*Doors open at 6:30 pm
Where: New Canaan Museum & Historical Society
13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT 06840
Friday, august 6th: Special election forum
The LWV Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan are pleased to present the Candidate Forum for the Connecticut State Senate District 36 Special Election on August 17th.
Kay Maxwell, Past President of the LWV US and Connecticut, will lead the 60 minute discussion with the candidates: John Blankley (Pt. Cand.), Ryan Fazio (R) and Alexis Gevanter (D) on Friday August 6th beginning at 7pm. All candidates, the discussion leader and timers will be live at Greenwich Town Hall and all audience participants will be virtual via Zoom. Participants are invited to submit a maximum of 2 questions upon registration for the event. Questions must be received by August 1st. The LWV Greenwich will only consider questions that all candidates can address. A Screening Committee of one Republican and one Democrat LWV Greenwich board members will review the questions before submitting them to the Moderator. The Moderator simply reads the questions. To obtain an Absentee Ballot for this election, please go to the New Canaan Town Clerk website, or download an Absentee Ballot here. PLEASE NOTE: Recordings of this event, whether they be in-person or from a computer screen, may not be used without the express written approval of the LWV Greenwich except by media who have registered and are reporting on the event. |
Check your mailboxes! We're sending out a postcard alerting you to the summer's Republican and Democratic caucuses, and letting you know our annual Know Your Reps guide is ready for you to peruse and download.
Summer means...Caucus Time in New Canaan!
cau·cus
/ˈkôkəs/noun
Members of a local political party choose their candidates to run for office during their caucus.
Republican Caucus: July 20th from 6-8pm at New Canaan Town Hall Meeting room, 77 Main Street
Democratic Caucus: July 26th at 7pm, location details at NewCanaanDems.Info
New Canaan Offices up for election Fall 2021:
- First selectman (2-year term)
- Selectman (2-year term)
- Town Clerk (2-year term)
- Town Treasurer (2-year term)
- Board of Education (4-year term)
- Board of Assessment Appeals (2-year term)
- Town Council (4-year term)
- Constable (4-year term)
Municipal Elections = New Canaan’s Direction
Verify your voter registration status on VOTE411.org
Summer means...Caucus Time in New Canaan!
cau·cus
/ˈkôkəs/noun
Members of a local political party choose their candidates to run for office during their caucus.
Republican Caucus: July 20th from 6-8pm at New Canaan Town Hall Meeting room, 77 Main Street
Democratic Caucus: July 26th at 7pm, location details at NewCanaanDems.Info
New Canaan Offices up for election Fall 2021:
- First selectman (2-year term)
- Selectman (2-year term)
- Town Clerk (2-year term)
- Town Treasurer (2-year term)
- Board of Education (4-year term)
- Board of Assessment Appeals (2-year term)
- Town Council (4-year term)
- Constable (4-year term)
Municipal Elections = New Canaan’s Direction
Verify your voter registration status on VOTE411.org
June 2nd, 2021 referendum
Get Informed and Vote! The Referendum on June 2nd will determine whether the Board of Finance will be required to reconsider the Board of Education's budget by $463,337. Our handy pdf below explains what a referendum is, how it is triggered, and the specifics of the June 2nd referendum. It can be downloaded and printed as a landscape document. More information can be found on the town's website NewCanaan.info, or by calling the office of the Town Clerk.
Voting and Elections with Secretary of State Denise Merrill
The Leagues of Women Voters of Darien and New Canaan and Darien Library welcomed Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill on Thursday, April 29, 2021 to discuss how our state facilitates voter access and protects election integrity—before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
What are the reasons for our existing rules? How did we manage the increase in absentee ballots in our last election? Why should voters trust our system? Secretary Merrill will take us through the different processes, and close with an update on two proposed joint resolutions under consideration in our Legislature that seek to permanently expand access to voting in Connecticut.
What are the reasons for our existing rules? How did we manage the increase in absentee ballots in our last election? Why should voters trust our system? Secretary Merrill will take us through the different processes, and close with an update on two proposed joint resolutions under consideration in our Legislature that seek to permanently expand access to voting in Connecticut.
Our Town government: How it works,
how you can get involved
The New Canaan League of Women Voters presents"New Canaan - How Our Town Government Works". This program discusses how Town Hall works and how residents can learn more and get involved.
Meet & Greet: Making Our Democracy Safe and Secure with league of women voters of norwalk
Sunday, January 31st
2:30 - 4:30 pm on Zoom Join the League of Women Voters of Norwalk for their annual Meet & Greet. The 2021 topic is "Making Our Democracy Safe and Secure," featuring Myrna Perez, Director of the Brennan Center's Voting Rights and Elections Program. All candidates who ran in November 2020 will be recognized, and all members of the public are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is required. |
Voting During COVID-19:
Q&A with CT Sots Denise Merrill
Did you miss our "Voting During COVID-19" Q&A with CT Secretary of State Denise Merrill? Watch it here!