MONROE, CT — Town Clerk Vida Stone loaded the hatchback of her vehicle with boxes of absentee ballots Friday afternoon, before driving the haul of 2,089 ballots to the U.S. Post Office on Route 111, where it would be mailed for the Nov. 3 election.
In a typical election year, Stone said Monroe has around 600 absentee ballots, but with voters trying to avoid going to the polls in person to minimize their chances of catching COVID-19, many more chose to vote by absentee ballot this year.
“This is the first time we had over 2,000 absentee ballots,” said Stone, who has been the town clerk for five years.
That number should increase, because there is still more time to vote by absentee ballot.
Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill has mailed all eligible voters an absentee ballot application for the November 3, 2020 election. Stone said Oct. 2 is the date the Town Clerk’s Office is permitted to mail absentee ballots to those voters who have requested one.
“It may be possible that you will receive your absentee ballot before another member in your household or a neighbor,” Stone said. “We ask for your patience as the post office will be mailing these in batches. Should you receive your absentee ballot and have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at 203-452-2800, ext. 1027, or email [email protected].”
“Once you have completed your absentee ballot, please use the official absentee ballot drop box located directly outside of the Monroe Police Department at 7 Fan Hill Road,” she said. “It is a secure location and is available 24/7. This drop box is checked throughout the day. Additional instructions on the drop box will be included with your absentee ballot. This drop box is for absentee ballot applications as well.”
Though more voters are opting to vote by absentee ballot, all four of Monroe’s polling places will be open on election day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
