Don't Just Vote the Row, Get in the know!

The Voters Guide is an annual initiative by the League of Women Voters of New Canaan to provide timely, unbiased information about candidates ahead of each election. The next Election will be a General Election, held Tuesday, November 8th from 6 am - 8 pm.

​In this guide:

1. Voting in New Canaan: Map and information on New Canaan's new Voting Districts, as well as on General Assembly redistricting.
2. What's On My Ballot?
3. Candidates answer questions submitted to Vote411.org.
4. Other nonpartisan voting FAQs, including information on Candidate Debate.

How to use this guide: 

1. Find your New Canaan Voting District on the map.
2. Identify your Connecticut General Assembly candidates.
3. Read about your candidates in this guide and on Vote411.org.

Still have questions? Shoot us an email! 

Voting in new canaan

Find your General Assembly candidates by isolating your district! Here's a quick overview of polling locations, as districts have been redrawn to reflect the most recent Census:
​
You can also look up your Voting District by clicking here.

🗳️ DISTRICT 1: SENATE 36, HOUSE 125
VOTE AT: NC HIGH SCHOOL, 11 FARM RD

🗳️ DISTRICT 2: SENATE 36, HOUSE 42
VOTE AT: SAXE MIDDLE SCHOOL, 468 FARM RD

🗳️ DISTRICT 3: SENATE 26, HOUSE 125
VOTE AT: SAXE MIDDLE SCHOOL, 468 FARM RD

🗳️ DISTRICT 4: SENATE 36, HOUSE 142
VOTE AT: EAST SCHOOL, 54 LITTLE BROOK RD

🗳️ DISTRICT 5: SENATE 26, HOUSE 142
VOTE AT: EAST SCHOOL, 54 LITTLE BROOK RD

🗳️ DISTRICT 6: SENATE 26, HOUSE 42
VOTE AT: EAST SCHOOL, 54 LITTLE BROOK RD

** All of New Canaan is within US Congressional District 4, as well as the Executive Branch and Connecticut US Senate races **

Click here to learn more via the Registrar of Voters' detailed map, pictured right, and breakdown of the newly drawn districts.

what's on my ballot?

Referendum

On this year's ballot, there is a referendum. A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a new policy or specific law, or the referendum may be only advisory. A referendum, often called a ballot question, asks the electorate to decide an outcome.

Ballot Question: Shall the Constitution be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for Early Voting (EV)?

DID YOU KNOW?
Connecticut is one of only 4 states with no early voting for all voters.
Our election laws are part of the state constitution, so voters need to vote “yes” on the referendum question before legislators can consider Early Voting.

IS VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT THE SAME AS EARLY VOTING?
No. In CT, you can only vote by absentee ballot for very specific reasons, written in our constitution. Early Voting would allow any voter to vote in person on a day besides Election Day for any reason.

What happens if the Early Voting referendum is passed?
If voters vote "Yes", the Connecticut General Assembly may propose, debate, and vote on Early Voting legislation. 

See what candidates think of Early Voting in the "Candidates Answer Questions..." section of our Voters Guide below!

candidate answers

In addition to their answers below, you can also hear the candidates in our annual, virtual Candidates Debate.

Now that you know your House and Senate Districts, you can tune in just to the debates that impact you.

We've embedded each House and Senate District's debate at the end of each of our candidates' answers.

You can also find their debates here.

State house

​42nd district
New Canaan Voting districts 2 & 6

Candidates tell us: 

1. Please provide your biography and share your background.

2. Name three things that need to happen for CT’s economic expansion and what would you do to facilitate that?

3. What committees have you been involved in as a legislator, or what committees would you plan to serve on; and what have you accomplished and/or do you plan to accomplish in such roles? 

​4. Write up to two questions you think voters should be asking General Assembly candidates and state your position on those issues.

5. On the 11/08/2022 CT ballot there will be a referendum question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?” If the referendum is approved, what early in-person voting provisions would you support and why?

6. Enacted in 1989, CT Statute 8-30g sets a goal that 10% of each municipality's housing stock qualify as “affordable” housing. For families who make no more than 80% of the CT median income, “affordable" is a maximum of 30% of income spent on housing.  If the 10% target is not met, developers may propose projects that are not subject to local zoning regulations. Communities actively working toward that goal can obtain a 4-year moratorium. After 30 years, less than a quarter of CT towns meet the State Affordable Housing target under statute 8-30g.  Do you support affordable housing under 8-30g, why or why not, and if not, what approach would you recommend with respect to affordable housing? 

7. Please supply a short YouTube video responding to this statement: Voter apathy is highest in the 18-35 age bracket. What message do you have for those voters and what will inspire them to go to the polls and vote for you?

Keith denning
Democrat

KeithforStateRep.com

1.  I am Keith Denning. I was trained as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and retired this year after 39 years of practice. I have served as an advocate for health care and worked worldwide to care for those who dod not have access to care that we have in this country. My experience of having traveled the world to provide health care has given me insight into the needs and wants of people who are all seeking the same things. I live in Connecticut now to be closer to my family and want to serve the people who live here to make Connecticut even better.​

2. We need to find housing for workers to live. We need to rebuild our infrastructure and especially the train service to allow for travel in the 23rd century. We need to encourage students to stay in the state.

3. I would like to serve on committees that work to maintain health care and build our transportation.

4. First, do you believe that women have the right to choose their reproductive healthcare? Do you believe that President Biden was legitimately elected or do you believe there is widespread voter fraud?

5. Yes. Early voting allows for more people to participate in the electoral process. many people work long hours pr lack transportation child care to get to the polls in a single day. More voting means a better Democracy

6. The Bill 8-30G is 32 years old and has not moved the needle on affordable housing. I would not support removing the bill until replaced with something else. Connecticut needs more housing for all income levels if we are to keep growing the economy in the state. If there are towns that choose not to have this housing then the state must reward those who do with more resources to provide the services, schooling and infrastructure that this increased housing demand requires. We need work to provide the same level of education and opportunity for every child in the state.
​
7. [Candidate has not responded.​]

kim healy
Republican

KimHealyForCT.com

1. I am a mom, Wilton Selectwoman and former auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers. I'm an appointed member of the CT Reading Leadership Implementation Council; Co-Chair of Wilton’s Minks to Sinks, a town-wide event-supporting Family and Children’s Agency,;Volunteer tax preparer serving seniors and low-income earners. Past member of Wilton Conservation Commission, Wilton Library Board as Treasurer, Youth Council as Treasurer and many other local orgs. I have four children, my youngest is a junior in high school so I know a lot about education, including special ed. and paying for college.
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2. 1)The legislature must roll back the extraordinary number of requirements, fees and red tape that it burdens all of our businesses with.

2)Shift the Paid Leave Program to a private management company and allow businesses to opt in if they chose.

3)The legislature needs to signal to current CT businesses and prospective ones that they will stop interfering and lower the costs of doing business in our state.
I will work to pass legislation or repeal certain current laws, to encourage economic growth in our state. 

3. I hope to serve on: Finance Committee since that is my background and education. I want to highlight to the public that CT does it’s budget backwards. They calculate their expenses first and then figure out how they will raise or borrow the funds needed to pay for that spending. Education- I believe that every child should have access to good education. We have seen terrible outcomes from our gov keeping kids out of school, esp in our cities, during the pandemic. I have been serving on the Reading Leadership Implementation Council which was created to improve reading skills for CT students. Planning and Development- the towns in the 42nd are always under threat of developers using the 8-30g statute. I will work to get this law changed. We need to include naturally affordable units into the calculation and senior living properties and lower the threshold needed to have a moratorium.

4. Candidate has not yet responded.

5. I would support expanding voting to the Saturday prior to Election Day. There are many voters in my area who commute long distances to get to work. They leave home before the polls open and/or return after the polls close. Allowing for an extra weekend day will provide for voting opportunity outside of the common Monday-Friday work week.

6. It is clear that the 8-30g law has failed. The legislature has known this for many years and only in 2017 when there was a balance of power in the legislature has any significant amendment been made. As with any law or program that has proven to be ineffective, I would scrap it and start over. All naturally affordable housing stock needs to be identified in our towns and added to deed restricted units to determine each municipalities actual number of affordable units. There is a lot more that goes into housing costs that must be addressed- property taxes, utilities, maintenance costs. The cost of living in CT must be looked at holistically and every cost must be addressed. Ct government overreach has created much of the higher costs and needs to be evaluated and adjusted appropriately
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7. I have 3 kids in your age bracket. I know what you are struggling with. I will be your advocate and your voice. [No video.]

​Watch the 42nd house district debate

​125th district
Voting districts 1 & 3

Candidates tell us: 

1. Please provide your biography and share your background.

2. Name three things that need to happen for CT’s economic expansion and what would you do to facilitate that?

3. What committees have you been involved in as a legislator, or what committees would you plan to serve on; and what have you accomplished and/or do you plan to accomplish in such roles? 

​4. Write up to two questions you think voters should be asking General Assembly candidates and state your position on those issues.

5. On the 11/08/2022 CT ballot there will be a referendum question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?” If the referendum is approved, what early in-person voting provisions would you support and why?

6. Enacted in 1989, CT Statute 8-30g sets a goal that 10% of each municipality's housing stock qualify as “affordable” housing. For families who make no more than 80% of the CT median income, “affordable" is a maximum of 30% of income spent on housing.  If the 10% target is not met, developers may propose projects that are not subject to local zoning regulations. Communities actively working toward that goal can obtain a 4-year moratorium. After 30 years, less than a quarter of CT towns meet the State Affordable Housing target under statute 8-30g.  Do you support affordable housing under 8-30g, why or why not, and if not, what approach would you recommend with respect to affordable housing? 

7. Please supply a short YouTube video responding to this statement: Voter apathy is highest in the 18-35 age bracket. What message do you have for those voters and what will inspire them to go to the polls and vote for you?

victor alvarez
Democrat

VictorForCT.com

1. My parents fled communist Cuba in 1960; I was raised in New Jersey, aware of what it means to be free. I have a BS in Finance from Boston University and an MBA from Columbia University. First, I was an option trader, then Information Specialist at UBS and S.G. Cowen Securities, jumped to Director of FP&A at a small tech startup, helped prepare our acquisition by Elsevier, where I’m now a Business Controller. My wife and I moved to New Canaan with our two sons in 2009. I’m on the Board of Finance, teach Sunday School at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and am an avid skier, hiker, and birdwatcher.

2. Governor Lamont has run a budget surplus for the last 3 years, paid down unfunded pension liabilities by $5 billion, cut taxes by $600 million, and built a $3 billion rainy day fund. I’d turn this strong financial foundation into a thriving local economy by attracting companies to CT. I’d expand the research and development tax credit to reward companies that generate new products through innovation; continue to use budget surpluses to pay down more unfunded pension liabilities; underwrite job training programs through the Office of Workforce Strategy to provide entry-level skills in healthcare, technology, clean energy infrastructure, bioscience, and manufacturing; and revise zoning to make affordable housing development appropriate and realistic for both municipalities and the workforce we want to attract.

3. I’d seek appointments on 3 committees: Energy and Technology, to promote the transition to renewable energy, upgrades to energy transmission and distribution technology, adoption of new energy storage technologies, and also explore ways to introduce competition to Eversource. Transportation Committee, to support investing in our rail bridges to speed up Metro North service, and—because pedestrians and cyclists made up nearly 20% of crash deaths in 2020 in the U.S.—add education for motorists on the driver’s test to improve safety for all who share the road. Environment Committee, to help consumer products companies innovate ways to reduce plastic packaging by implementing an extended producer responsibility law associated with plastic, make improvements in recycling and composting to reduce waste entering our limited landfill, and reduce or eliminate noise and air pollution from gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers.

4. States have broad discretion over the laws they enact. The recent overturning of Roe v Wade has made reproductive rights, federally protected since 1973, an issue for the 50 state legislatures to safeguard, erode, or eliminate. CT voters should ask their candidates if they will protect choice in reproductive healthcare (I will). The Supreme Court has made clear that it may overturn other landmark cases as well, such as Obergefell v Hodges which protects the right of same-sex couples to marry (I support this right). It's important to know where candidates stand on these and other rights protected by landmark court precedents that the Supreme Court might overturn and devolve to the states.

5. I support removing barriers to voting for all people who are legally eligible to vote. I hope that the referendum on early voting is approved, so that the legislature can finally discuss a plan for potential early voting in CT. I would support a modest period of early voting, say no more than three days prior to the Tuesday of Election Day. This could give voters the option of a weekend plus an additional weekday, while keeping it manageable for election officials. Life is complicated, and if we’re serious about improving voter turnout, voters need a larger window of time in which to vote. I would also ask Stephanie Thomas, candidate for Secretary of the State, what she would recommend because she’s very knowledgeable on this subject and I trust her judgement.

6. I think 8-30G is imperfect, and we need to get serious about replacing it with something that works. Affordable housing is the right thing to do, plus our economic growth depends on it. If elected, I’d work to replace 830-G with a more reasonable law that would include moving the 10% threshold of affordable housing stock down to 5%; making it easier to obtain a moratorium if your town is making a good faith effort to comply with the law; and allowing the town to make certain requirements that a developer would be obligated to comply with (such as a maximum amount of units allowed on a given lot) in the event that the town is not at the 5% threshold, the town is not under the moratorium, and a developer proposes an affordable housing project in the town. As a Democrat who seeks to join the Moderate Caucus, I believe that if elected I would have more power to work within the Democratic legislature to enact this commonsense replacement.

7. ​Reasons you should vote for Victor Alvarez for Connecticut State House of Representatives in District 125

Tom o'dea
republican

TomODeaForStateRep.com

1. Tom has been a trial lawyer for over 30 years. From ‘95 - ‘04, Tom served as a member of the Police Officers Standards and Training Council, which oversees training/certification of police officers. In ‘97 - ‘04, he served as a Victim Compensation Commissioner adjudicating claims brought by crime victims. In ‘04, Tom was appointed to the Judicial Selection Commission, which is responsible for vetting state judges. Tom was elected to the New Canaan Town Council in ’05 and became a State Rep in ‘12. He is currently a Deputy Leader & member of Judiciary, Transportation & Environment Committees.

2. Under about 50 years of one-party rule, the legislature (which determines the budget), has given our residents one of the largest unfunded debts per capita – which just increased from $75 to $95 billion in the last 2 years because of spending increases and generous pay raises. We are the only state that pays the public sector more than the private sector, with job security and the best benefits in the country. The Democrats have increased taxes and spending and passed some of the most anti-small business legislation in the US over the last 4 years. We have fewer jobs now than we had in 2008. We need to make starting a business easier and make Connecticut more affordable. To do that, we need to start supporting small businesses rather than fighting them by cutting spending/taxes and eliminating or limiting the automatically increasing soon-to-be highest minimum wage and most generous paid family medical leave program in the country.

3. Judiciary-
I am extremely proud of the bipartisan legislation I worked on getting Narcan into the hands of first responders that has saved thousands of lives. I voted in favor of the most comprehensive gun safety, school safety, and school mental health legislation in the country after the Newtown tragedy. Transportation-I have successfully fought for improvements and/or expansion of the New Canaan, Waterbury and Danbury Metro-North rail service. While the commuting times have increased due to accidents and long overdue safety improvements, we are advocating for and expecting said times to get better over the next few years because of said improvements. Environment - I have advocated for legislation to allow more private investment into community solar and expansion of current solar and other renewable energy projects to improve our air quality and lower energy prices.

4. 1 - Where does Connecticut rank regarding debt per capita and how would you fix it? As stated previously, we have one of the highest debt per capita in the US. I was a major part of the 2017 Republican Budget that created the surpluses we are experiencing now. As part of that 2017 budget, we demanded that the constitutional spending cap be put into legislation after the Democrats fought against it ever since voters approved it overwhelmingly over 30 years ago. We also demanded that the spending, borrowing, and volatility cap be written into our state bond covenants, which is the only reason they were not removed legislatively. The majority has refused to extend the bond covenants beyond 2023. We need to extend the current bond covenants at least another 5 years. 2 – Do you support local control of zoning and education? Absolutely! Our communities know what is best for our zoning regulations and what to teach our children, not Hartford.

5. I support no-excuse absentee voting but we need to do more to make sure our elections are secure, including requiring picture identification and instituting better procedures for handling absentee ballots. We need to make sure absentee ballots are from the person they claim to be from and eliminate ballot harvesting. Just a week or so ago the former Chair of the Stamford Democratic Town Committee was convicted of 28 counts of forgery and making false statements surrounding absentee ballot voting in 2015.

6. I support affordable housing but not through the predatory building that 8-30g has created. 8-30g has made little progress over the last few decades in increasing the number of truly affordable housing units in Fairfield County. I would revise 8-30g to use varying percentages of housing stock to be required as affordable (between 2% and 10%) based on the population and percent developed. New Canaan should not be treated the same as Stamford. I would also allow more types of diverse housing stock to qualify and give longer moratoriums. Finally, I would use more state funding as an incentive to work collaboratively with a municipality. The current language of 8-30g has resulted in predatory building more than much of an increase in affordable housing, at least in Fairfield County. What typically happens is a builder threatens affordable housing and then negotiates a more profitable project that usually has few, if any, affordable units.

7. ​[Candidate has not responded.]

​watch the 125th house district debate

​
​142nd district
Voting districts 4 & 5

Candidates tell us: 

1. Please provide your biography and share your background.

2. Name three things that need to happen for CT’s economic expansion and what would you do to facilitate that?

3. What committees have you been involved in as a legislator, or what committees would you plan to serve on; and what have you accomplished and/or do you plan to accomplish in such roles? 

​4. Write up to two questions you think voters should be asking General Assembly candidates and state your position on those issues.

5. On the 11/08/2022 CT ballot there will be a referendum question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?” If the referendum is approved, what early in-person voting provisions would you support and why?

6. Enacted in 1989, CT Statute 8-30g sets a goal that 10% of each municipality's housing stock qualify as “affordable” housing. For families who make no more than 80% of the CT median income, “affordable" is a maximum of 30% of income spent on housing.  If the 10% target is not met, developers may propose projects that are not subject to local zoning regulations. Communities actively working toward that goal can obtain a 4-year moratorium. After 30 years, less than a quarter of CT towns meet the State Affordable Housing target under statute 8-30g.  Do you support affordable housing under 8-30g, why or why not, and if not, what approach would you recommend with respect to affordable housing? 

7. Please supply a short YouTube video responding to this statement: Voter apathy is highest in the 18-35 age bracket. What message do you have for those voters and what will inspire them to go to the polls and vote for you?

Lucy dathan
Democrat

 Lucy2022.com

1. My husband Matt, our three children, and I call Silvermine home. It has been an amazing experience representing Norwalk and New Canaan since 2019. I serve as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and as a member of the Human Services and Insurance & Real Estate Committees. We need strategic thinkers in Hartford who can produce a comprehensive, creative, and stable vision for our future. I have spent my business career as a CFO helping tech companies think strategically to ensure all stakeholders work efficiently and collaboratively, and these are skills I have implemented in Hartford.

​2. 1. Continue paying down long term pension liabilities to help free up future General Funds supporting investments in education, early childhood programs, social safety net services, transportation infrastructure, sustainable environmental projects to address rising energy costs. In the past 4 years, over $5B has been paid down, saving $440M annually for 25 years in debt servicing costs. Continuing this strategy will ensure a fiscally strong future for generations. 2. Ensure that there is an adequate amount of affordable housing. In order to attract businesses and jobs to our state, it is vital that we invest in housing middle income families can afford in vibrant communities with access to transportation. 3. Continue to focus on workforce development. It is critical that we continue to grow programs in our community colleges, secondary, and technical schools that will create the 21st century skills needed for growing businesses.​
​
3. Appropriations Vice Chair: As a member of the majority of subcommittees that craft our state budget, I am very proud of the budget we produced. It invests in schools, early education initiatives, and community non-profits, expands mental health programs, and establishes the Jobs CT program all while paying down $5.1B of debt, freeing up $440M in annual savings for the next 25 years, and adding $3.2B to the Rainy Day fund. Our 2023-24 state budget includes $650M in tax cuts by increasing the property tax credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, eliminating the Pension and Annuity taxes based on income thresholds, and introducing a state Child Tax Credit. Human Services: We have invested in community non-profits supporting state safety net programs, supported front line workers with COVID relief payments, established newborn home visit pilot programs. Insurance & Real Estate: We expanded breast and cervical cancer screening coverage.

4. What are your top environmental priorities? I am directly involved in funding environmental initiatives. Two issues I am most energized about are clean air/renewable energy and waste management. We must develop new waste management systems in light of the MIRA plant’s closure, and evaluate investments that address compostable waste, especially food, as this is a significant portion that heads to the incinerator. We are responsible to our community and our planet’s future to prioritize conservation and clean energy
How can CT be more affordable for young adults and low income workers whose contributions are vital to our state economy? I focus strongly on improving healthcare accessibility and affordability. I led successful initiatives, in my tenure with the Insurance committee, to cap insulin costs, and improve mental health parity and telemedicine access. We must evaluate proposals leading to the root cause of rising insurance costs.

5. In Connecticut, election laws are part of the state’s constitution and changes to voting laws must be approved by voters. Currently, Connecticut is one of only four states (with Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire) that do not offer pre-Election Day in-person voting options for all voters. As a member of the General Assembly in 2019 and in 2021, I voted in favor both times to allow for early voting. I believe we need to ensure that Connecticut’s citizens have more than one day between 6AM - 8PM to cast their ballot. Not only will this measure make voting more accessible to every eligible voter, it will also decrease election day lines, ensure accuracy, and increase security for prompt election day results. I was disheartened to see that some Republican members of the General Assembly did not vote in favor of this initiative, in effect suppressing many voices who do not have flexibility with their daily schedule.

6. Affordable housing has drawn a lot of attention over recent years at the state level and nationally, as housing costs have risen. Connecticut lacks an estimated 87K units of both affordable and low income housing. 8-30g has not been as successful at developing enough affordable housing as many hoped, but necessary amendments to the law were enacted to help towns meet the 10% target. The most important is 8-30j, which requires towns to approve affordable housing plans every 5 years. This is important as a road map to the 10% target. I support the 8-2 statute, the zoning enabling act, giving the necessary local control to towns’ P&Z commissions for development. I believe we can find a solution to make 8-30g more effective in developing affordable housing, while still giving local control to the towns. Businesses locating to an area must ensure their workforce can find affordable housing in order to attract the best talent.
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7. Engagement of younger voters isn't an issue of apathy, but as a part of a larger issue of access, the ability to vote, voter education, and willingness of older generations to allow younger voices to truly engage meaningfully. Young adults have a remarkable ability because of their values, the way they access information and synthesize it, the nature of the world economy, their education, diversity, and more to dive into grey areas and truly see each layer of any issue. It is incumbent on all of us, from legislators to parents to the community, to support efforts of the younger generation rather than to discount for being too idealistic, just because we may ourselves be jaded. We need to ensure that it is easy to carry out the responsibility of voting. If you are a young person interested in getting involved please don’t be discouraged, you have already changed this world for the better!​

don mastronardi
Republican

 DonForCT.com

1. I grew up in Cortland, NY and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Accounting. After college I moved to CT to start my professional career as analyst with AIG, Bristol Myers Squibb and Daymon Worldwide. I left corporate world in 2015 and started Dry Dock Bar & Grille in 2016 which now has 3 locations in Norwalk. My wife and I have been married for 17 years and have 2 teenage kids, daughter Mia and son Drew. I love spending time with family & friends, going to Yankee games, playing golf and bowling. I lived in Norwalk for 17 years before moving to New Canaan, my wife's hometown.​

2. 1) Cut taxes on individuals and businesses. CT has some of the highest taxes in the country and ranks near the bottom in economic development and affordability. In order to cut taxes for our citizens we need to reform the state pension system that has bankrupted this state. We need to create a business friendly environment that rewards job creation and economic development. CT ranks near the bottom in economic growth and job creation. We need to cut expenses and let people and businesses keep more of what they earn. 2) Revamp our educational system to prepare our students for the future economy. More vocational schools and training opportunities in the trades, technology and healthcare. There are many essential and good paying jobs that don't require a college education.
3) Improve infrastructure and have more competition in bidding process and eliminate prevailing wage standards to safe money and create efficiencies.​

3. Higher Education and Employment Committee to help improve our job training to prepare citizens for the numerous sectors needing well trained applicants.
Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee because we need people who are looking out for the wallets of our citizens and not the wallets of our government. The people and businesses of this state are over taxed and there is too much political cronyism in which politicians pick and choose winners and losers. Public Safety and Security Committee, we need to revamp or repeal the Police Accountability Act. This act endangers our police and makes us all more unsafe. This act was nothing more than political theater with zero input from police or police unions and was passed here in CT when we didn't have any policing issues. To pass a bill because of a bad action by a cop in another state is knee jerk legislating. Bills should be passed to fix issues in your state, not based on others.​

4. 1) What budget proposals have you pushed that cuts spending to make CT more affordable for our citizens.
answer: I would eliminate all future raises and bonuses for state unions until the unfunded liabilities are zero. When you are in a hole you have to stop digging before you can fill the hole and get out. I would cut out waste, like the "truth czar" that was just enacted. Big government isn't the solution it is the problem. 2) You claim you are a moderate but how do you explain voting with your party almost 100 percent of the time? answer: I am an Independent voice who will be loyal to my principles of limited government and cutting taxes. If my party doesn't follow those principles I will vote against any bill that raises any tax. 

5. I do not support early voting because it cost more money for our citizens. I am in favor of pushing voting to a weekend to allow more participation. There are too many things that can happen during a campaign that can sway a voter's opinion and I think we should have one specific weekend in November that is for voting.

6. 8-30 G is a nightmare and a perfect example of a top down, one size fits all that doesn't work for our communities. You make housing more affordable by cutting taxes and allowing people to have more money in their pockets. These big developers, like Karp, do not care about affordable housing they care about profits and use 8=30 g as a trojan horse to build multi units that turn towns into cities and put undo burdens on our infrastructure, schools and tax paying citizens.
Towns and cities should be dictated to by Hartford on how they run their municipalities. 10 percent is an arbitrary number that is based on outdated and ridiculous standards pushed by politicians in Hartford.
Developers shouldn't get to make their own rules or exploit outdated, poorly structured statutes in order to enrich themselves in the name of "affordable housing."
Again, you make housing more affordable by allowing citizens keep more of their money.

7. Voter apathy is high because we continue to have to choose one career politician over another. We have politicians, like my opponent, who lies about what she is and votes strictly party line which has increased taxes and continues to spend money we don't have and can't afford. Our citizens work 5-6 months a year for the State/Federal government. Is that fair? Why would citizens have interest or want to vote for the same nonsense that doesn't change? Term limits needed, 8 years per office. My message is simple, vote for a person who actually cares about your wallet, your family and your values vs the politician like Lucy Dathan who cares about her party and her agenda. My only agenda is to by loyal to the people I represent, provide them with school choice, more money in their pockets and less government in their personal decisions. Freedom and choice over party politics. [No video.]

​watch the 142nd house district debate

State senate

​26th district
Voting districts 3, 5 & 6

Candidates tell us: 

1. Please provide a brief biography and share your background with voters. 

​2. On the 11/08/2022 CT ballot there will be a referendum question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?” If the referendum is approved, what early in person voting provisions would you support and why? 

3. Enacted in 1989, CT Statute 8-30g sets a goal that 10% of each municipality's housing stock qualify as “affordable” housing. For families who make no more than 80% of the CT median income, “affordable" is a maximum of 30% of income spent on housing. If the 10% target is not met, developers may propose projects that are not subject to local zoning regulations. Communities actively working toward that goal can obtain a 4 year moratorium. After 30 years, less than a quarter of CT towns meet the State Affordable Housing target under statute 8-30g. Do you support affordable housing under 8-30g, why or why not, and if not, what approach would you recommend with respect to affordable housing? 

4. Name three things that need to happen for CT’s economic expansion and what would you do to facilitate that?

5. What committees have you been involved in as a legislator, or what committees would you plan to serve on; and what have you accomplished and/or do you plan to accomplish in such roles? 
​
6. Please supply a short YouTube video responding to this statement: Voter apathy is highest in the 18-35 age bracket. What message do you have for those voters and what will inspire them to go to the polls and vote for you?

Toni boucher
Republican

ceci maher
democrat

 ​ToniBoucher.com

​1. I have held leadership positions in both the public and private section over many years including : Chief Deputy Leader in the Connecticut State Senate (10 years); Assistant Minority Leader, State House of Representatives (12 years); Wilton’s Board of Education Chairman; a Connecticut State Board of Education member; a member of the State’s Voch Tech Board of Education; Wilton Selectman. I have also been a director of a leading investment company; held executive positions with Fortune 500 companies; started small businesses, hold a UCONN MBA and held series 7, 63, 31 investment licenses

​2. ​We need to transform a state government that is too big, too expensive, and too intrusive. Here are a few tax relief proposals to ease the tax burden on Connecticut residents. • Cut the income tax from 5% to 4% for families making less than $175,000 a year and index state income tax brackets so that taxes paid on earnings do not outpace inflation • Repeal the highway use tax on trucks that starts in January 2023. This new tax passed by the Democrats in 2021 will drive up the costs of food, consumer products and services • Increase the property tax credit that can be claimed for real estate and motor vehicles from $300 to $500 to all families filing state income taxes • Reduce the sales tax and eliminate the 1% meals tax • Repeal taxes and fees which cost more to collect than the revenue they generate We must work to lower healthcare and energy costs; and create a business environment that rewards hard work and job creation.​

3. I have been honored to be a Chief Deputy Minority Leader in the State Senate and have served as a leader on the Education, Children and Higher Education Committees. I have also been a co- Chair of the Transportation and Vice Chair of the Finance Committees. Education is why I first ran for office, and it will continue to be a top priority. Although I have also served on the Appropriations, Judiciary, Housing and Human Services committees, I believe our district will still be best served by my continuing to work on the Education, Transportation and Finance committees. 

4. Your position on school regionalization and crime.
As a former local Board of Education chair, State Board of Education member and as a leader on the General Assembly’s Education Committee I oppose regionalization and support locally controlled education. Different communities have different populations, different needs and curriculum standards, and most important, research shows that smaller schools and classrooms provide for better outcomes, especially as our special education student population increases and classroom demands grow. Forcing schools to consolidate, at this time when residents are leaving, could erode our state’s best remaining asset- our schools. CT’s Police accountability bill ties the hands of our police and prevents them from pursuing criminals. • Provide law enforcement the tools needed to do their job • Enhance penalties for crimes for stolen vehicles • Remove violent crimes for clean slate erasure

5. Yes

6. Changes are needed. Unfortunately, any attempt to modify this statute was opposed and voted down by the Democratic majority that had put this law in place to begin with. The Democratic controlled legislature recently tried to usurp local control over planning and zoning decisions with laws that mandate state control of housing within half-a-mile of any train station, and that grant city housing authorities oversight of local town housing authorities.

Democrats were able to get these laws through committee but paused their efforts as opposition mounted. However, there is deep concern that a future Democratic majority in a non-election year will resume their past efforts to have the state take more control over our housing decisions. They are concerned that they will change their communities forever. We should never forget that for most people the purchase of a home is their most significant financial investment over their lifetime.

7. ​[Candidate has not responded.]

​​CeciMaher.com
​ 
​1. I was exec dir of the Horizons Nat’l Student Enrichment Program, providing children access to education, CEO of Person-to-Person, serving 25,000 people a year in Fairfield County and exec dir of Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, creating safe classrooms and preventing gun violence. I served on the Wilton Board of Finance, on the Wilton Library, Wilton ABC, Children’s Learning Center and Minks-to-Sinks. Grew up in Stamford and lived in Wilton since 1988, earned an MSW from Columbia School of Social Work. I trained at Stanford’s Social Innovation NP Mgmt Inst and at Harvard Business School Exec

​2. ​We must continue to grow current businesses and bring in new business to CT, educate our workforce for the 21st century, create housing for our current and future workforce as well as for seniors who wish to stay in our communities. I will work with the executive and legislative branches to further the successful efforts already begun. and support education in our towns so children will graduate ready to participate in a global economy. I will work in conjunction with both sides of the aisle to find solutions for our housing shortage and support seniors who wish to remain in their towns.​

3. I would like to serve on Transportation, moving CT forward in reducing emissions and creating faster trains. Judiciary, working on bills that effect the quality of citizens lives. Energy and Technology, to create cleaner energy options while strengthen our power grid through a variety of energy sources, and helping bring broad band to everyone, including underserved populations. Environment to work on waste reduction and climate impact. Appropriations, to help determine where state funds can do the best work for our citizens.

4. Will you protect reproductive freedom and same sex marriage? I will work to protect all reproductive rights, and the right to abortion, and I will not waiver. I will also work to protect human rights and same sex marriage. Love is love, no one can tell another person whom to love.
Will you work to strengthen our gun laws? I will work to continue the effort to strengthen our gun laws, including decreasing gun purchases to one gun a month and working to ban ghost guns in our community. I will also work to decrease gun violence in our communities through education and support and create safer schools.

5. If the referendum is approved, I would support early in-person voting by working with legislators to write legislation to increase the voting by having two weekend days and three additional week days, Friday, Monday, and Wednesday, included in the days available to vote for a total of 7 days of voting.

6. Housing is an essential need for our residents in the entire state. Currently there is only a 2.5% vacancy rate in CT and within Fairfield County that vacancy rate is 1.5%. Connecticut cannot support new and growing businesses without housing, our college graduates cannot return when there are no housing options available at accessible rates, and seniors who wish to downsize have very few, if any, options. We need housing stock, it is a state and national issue. The statue, 8-2, provides for local control, including lot size, setbacks, wetlands protection, but we are not creating enough housing which is why 8-30g was put in place 30+ years ago. Unfortunately 8-30g has not produced the desired effect and few of our state's towns have sufficient housing options; currently there is a need for close to 85,000 housing units in Connecticut. The moratorium has become the goal rather than thoughtful, planned housing options. We must do bette

7. Asking you to join me in protecting reproductive rights, creating safer schools, preventing gun violence, and fighting climate change while growing our economy -- come VOTE!​

​watch the 26th senate district debate 

​
36th district
Voting districts 1, 2 & 4

Candidates tell us: 

1. Please provide a brief biography and share your background with voters. 

​2. On the 11/08/2022 CT ballot there will be a referendum question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?” If the referendum is approved, what early in person voting provisions would you support and why? 

3. Enacted in 1989, CT Statute 8-30g sets a goal that 10% of each municipality's housing stock qualify as “affordable” housing. For families who make no more than 80% of the CT median income, “affordable" is a maximum of 30% of income spent on housing. If the 10% target is not met, developers may propose projects that are not subject to local zoning regulations. Communities actively working toward that goal can obtain a 4 year moratorium. After 30 years, less than a quarter of CT towns meet the State Affordable Housing target under statute 8-30g. Do you support affordable housing under 8-30g, why or why not, and if not, what approach would you recommend with respect to affordable housing? 

4. Name three things that need to happen for CT’s economic expansion and what would you do to facilitate that?

5. What committees have you been involved in as a legislator, or what committees would you plan to serve on; and what have you accomplished and/or do you plan to accomplish in such roles? 
​
6. Please supply a short YouTube video responding to this statement: Voter apathy is highest in the 18-35 age bracket. What message do you have for those voters and what will inspire them to go to the polls and vote for you?

Trevor Crow
​Democrat

 TrevorForSenate.com
​
1. I am a mother, author, practicing therapist, and Certified Executive Coach from Greenwich. After receiving my MBA from Harvard and working on Wall Street, I discovered my love of helping people and families cope with an ever-changing world, leading to changing careers and becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Having shaped key figures in the business world into better communicators and better leaders, I am uniquely suited to represent the interests of our communities in the state Senate.​

​2. I believe every registered voter should have ample time to cast their vote. In today’s rapid and busy life, having only one day to vote is impractical and makes voting difficult for many voters who grapple with many responsibilities. Early voting is good for our democracy.​

3. While the law has positive intent, it is a blunt instrument when it comes to the needs of each unique CT community. It is critical our teachers, healthcare workers, service workers, and young people be able to live in our communities. Each town and city is then responsible for creating and sticking with its version and vision of how to build housing that accomplishes these goals.

​4. 1. Over 200,000 people attend college in CT, and we need to work to retain our young talent. We can do this by partnering with our CT businesses to create internships and apprenticeships for students in college, encouraging young graduates to stay in CT. 2. We need to focus on building infrastructure in our state, growing public transport, and improving our train service between CT towns. Incentivizing commuters with tax breaks to take the train between New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and Greenwich, with quicker, cheaper rides. 3. We need to build more housing for young people who want to stay and work in our state. The need for housing is nationwide.

5. I want to serve on The Public Health Committee. I have been a mental health professional for 15 years and have deep knowledge from my work and want to use my experience to improve mental health initiatives in our state. I would also like to serve on the Judiciary Committee. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have seen many divorcing families in family court for years. The system needs updating and reform. I would also like to serve on the Planning and Development Committee. It is critically important to me that we continue to bring new business to our state and grow our economy while conserving our incredibly beautiful state.​

6.

Ryan fazio
rePublican

. RyanFazio.com

1. I am in my first term in the State Senate proudly representing Greenwich, Stamford, & New Canaan. I grew up in the district, spent most of his career working in renewable energy, volunteered for years, & served in local government. In the Senate, I worked across the aisle co-writing a new law to improve student mental health in schools & co-sponsoring legislation to reduce clean energy costs & protect seniors against crimes. I wrote over 30 other bills to improve our economy, public safety, & protect local control of zoning. In my next term I will keep working collaboratively for those goals.

​2. I expect that voters will reject the early voting referendum as they did when they voted down a 2014 referendum. The referendum notwithstanding, Connecticut state law already effectively provides early voting. Absentee Ballots are cast by mail for a month before the election and they can be cast in-person at Town Clerk's offices for about a week before the election. Long periods of early voting mean that voters are voting with significantly different information. It gives groups and parties abilities to effectively harvest votes with ease. And, importantly, it diminishes the value of Election Day in the eyes of voters and actually decreased or fails to alter overall turnout levels because of that. In several studies, including one by Yale, the evidence shows that Early Voting does not increase overall turnout, therefore begging the question: Why should the voters or legislature provide for a radically different system?

3. I oppose 8-30g because it has failed both by its own standards & any other reasonable one. The fact that just over 30 towns & cities out of 169 have met the goals the law set out for itself after 33 years, is an admission of failure. It also shows failure that CT's poverty rate has increased more than any other state in the country since the law was passed in 1990. At the same time, home values in our state appreciated less than in any other state, which belies the notion that housing markets were the limiting factor in CT's economy. I was the only state senator to submit legislation this term to change 8-30g. We should have several goals toward housing policy: 1) Increase local input over zoning & housing. 2) Count & credit all forms of affordable housing, not just government or deed-restricted or new housing. 3) Make it easier to achieve a moratorium, therefore encouraging towns to advance affordability goals faster & smarter ways.

​4. CT's economy has been one of the worst-performing in the nation due to bad policy. Yet our state has all the traits needed to grow and succeed. Only our leadership must change. First, we should provide immediate tax relief from inflation for all residents. Our Republican caucus proposed over $1B of across-the-board tax relief, but it was rejected by the majority party. Second, we must reform our complicated tax code to lower income tax rates and broaden the base. We could reduce income tax rates by over 2% and fund it, thereby encouraging work, investment and growth. Finally, we need to cut excessive red tape to reduce cost of living. Streamlining costly rules that inflate costs will make CT more affordable for all. Specifically, we should focus on the energy industry, health care industry, and labor markets. With smarter and more effective regulations, we could make the state affordable for all.

5. I serve as the ranking member of the Aging Committee where I have worked across the aisle to stop costly regulations that would reduce seniors' access to nurses and homecare companions. I also co-sponsored a law to increase the statute of limitations for crimes against the elderly. I also serve on the Education Cmte, and submitted several bills to improve our schools. I also wrote a bill that was included in SB2 and passed into law to improve student mental health in schools. Finally, I serve on the Finance Cmte, which is focused on tax policy, and introduced several bills to provide more tax relief and reduce income and retirement tax rates. Unfortunately, those proposals for more tax relief were rejected by the majority party. We need change this November in order to pass these policies and improve our economy.

6. I am honored to serve my home district as the second-youngest member of our state Senate. I hope that my example will serve as a positive message to younger citizens that anyone of any age can have an impact and help make the future of our community better for our generation. [No video.]

​Watch the 36th senate district debate

All above responses come directly from the candidates and are unedited by LWV. The League does not support or oppose any candidates or parties.

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• CT Races: Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of the State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Comptroller
• National Races: Connecticut US House District 4, Senate

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other voting information & Faqs

registration deadlines

• ONLINE: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
• BY MAIL (Postmarked): Tuesday, November 1, 2022
• IN PERSON: Tuesday, November 8, 2022

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