TOP STORY: ‘It Matters That You Vote’: Lyme Residents Turn Out Early for Familiar Election Day Ritual

LYME, CT—Resident Michael Tuccio was among a small surge of Wednesday afternoon voters, who came through the typically quiet voting area set up in Lyme Town Hall’s main meeting room since Oct. 20. 

By the time he got there, election officials said voters had cast 335 ballots as part of the two-week early voting period. Combined with 31 absentee ballots, that amounts to about 19% of the town’s 1,932 registered voters. 

Tuccio said casting a ballot through the early voting process, which was instituted last year to give voters two weeks to vote prior to Election Day, is not notably different from voting on Election Day. 

Last year’s presidential election saw 497 early votes in total, according to data from the Office of the Secretary of the State. 

“It’s just kind of normal,” he said, comparing this year to a lifetime of voting that he considers everyone’s civic duty. 

The continuity is important to Tuccio, who said his preference is for things to stay the same. That’s why he said he supports candidates, who will reject residential development in the face of state efforts to promote affordable housing. 

“I’m just staunchly opposed to change in general,” he said. 

That’s not to say there aren’t procedural differences when it comes to voting early. 

As part of the mid afternoon burst of activity, Tuccio and the other voters checked in with Democratic Registrar of Voters Dottie Wells to receive a ballot and an envelope. 

The line grew to include several people at times during the two o’clock hour. It was a change from the slower and more sporadic trickle that had dominated early voting for the prior eight days. 

“We’re getting a little rush here,” Wells said. “This is very exciting.” 

Each voter was directed to one of the privacy booths to fill out the ballot envelope, seal it and sign it before handing it to Republican Registrar of Voters Judith Davies to be scanned into the system. Voters were instructed to drop the envelopes in the holding box, where they would remain until being transported to the town clerk’s vault at the end of the day.

Davies described “an elaborate process” for getting the ballots to the town clerk that includes both registrars to ensure the proper chain of custody. The ballots stay in the vault until Election Day, when they will be counted by poll workers from both parties in the same process used for absentee ballots. 

Davies, a 7-year registrar of voters, and Wells, who’s been in the role for 2.5 years, each work 12 of the 14-day early voting schedule. The days run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Nov. 2, except for two elongated 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. shifts. One of those extended shifts was Wednesday; the next is Thursday. 

Davies said the three-person shifts include both registrars – or an assistant registrar if Wells or Davies have the day off – and one moderator.  Registrars make an hourly rate of $22, while moderators and poll workers make about $17. 

“It’s long hours, but we’re happy to be here because obviously voting is important,” she said. 

She credited a team of 15 poll workers, including four moderators, for making the job an enjoyable experience from early voting through Election Day. The team consists of experienced workers as well as new additions this year. 

Davies counted weekends as the slowest period, with 22 voters on Saturday and 16 on Sunday. She said poll workers sometimes read or knit during down time that can extend to an hour at times. 

Moderator Mary Stone is scheduled for six days of early voting. She said it’s been good to see the turnout from voters, who are grateful for the opportunity to vote early – and to more easily find a place to park at the Town Hall. 

“By and large, they’re overwhelmingly appreciative,” she said. “They appreciate avoiding the crowds on Election Day.”

For Tuccio, Wednesday afternoon was a convenient day to vote on his way home from work. He saw others, who found early voting convenient because the less hectic pace suits their age or level of mobility. 

He said the extended calendar enhances the experience for voters.

The U.S. Marine Corps veteran counted liberty as one of his guiding principles. 

It doesn’t matter who you vote for, according to Tuccio – “it matters that you vote.”