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Voting And Election Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About the Office of the Registrars of Voters
The Registrars of Voters maintain an independent office under the City of Stamford's government. The purpose of the Office is to assist qualified residents to register to vote for Stamford elections and also provides information.
While elections and registration for elections are handled locally, the Office operates under laws of all levels of government.
For detailed information about election procedure and Stamford's elected officials, refer to the City Charter, The Connecticut General Statutes, or the Secretary of the State Elections Division.
Elections
Municipal elections are held in odd numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Town and City Clerk gives public notice of these elections.
The polls are by law open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., unless otherwise provided by law.
State and federal elections are held in even numbered years.
Click here to download Voter Registration Forms and other Election Forms to print and mail.
See a Sample Ballot Form
Polling Locations
Please note: Federal Law, which took effect on January 1, 2003, requires that all FIRST TIME VOTERS, who registered via Mail, provide ID at the polls.
FIRST TIME VOTERS without ID will only be able to vote for Federal offices.
State Law requires that all previously established voters provide ID at the polling location.
Elected Officers of the City
The following municipal officials are elected by Stamford's registered voters in odd-numbered years:
- A Mayor: term recently increased to (4) years starting with the 1997 election.
- Forty (40) Board of Representatives members (City legislative body)- term recently increased to (4) years starting with the 1997 election.
- Six (6) Board of Finance members (City fiscal policy and oversight body)- 4 years
- A Town and City Clerk (Registrar of Vital Statistics, recorder of goings on in Stamford): 4 years;
- Nine (9) Board of Education members: (3) years.
- Seven (7) Constables (serves various legal documents on citizens): (2) years;
- Two (2) Registrars of Voters (register voters, record information related to elections): (4) years.
The terms of office of elective officers begin on the first day of December succeeding the election.
Voting Districts
The City is divided into twenty (20) voting districts which are used for municipal elections. The map showing the districts is reviewed every ten years by a Reapportionment Commission which must be appointed by the Board of Representatives within sixty (60) days after the Federal Census figures are made available to the City.
Recommendations are made to the Board of Representatives by the body and changes are effected through an ordinance from the Board.
Look Up Your Voting District And Polling Places
Vacancies in Elective Offices
Whenever a vacancy occurs in any elective office and no specific provision for filling such vacancy is made in this Charter, the Board of Representatives shall, within sixty (60) days following the vacancy, elect a successor to fill such vacancy until December first following the next biennial election.
When the Board of Representatives has elected a successor to fill a vacancy in the office of Mayor, on the Board of Representatives, on the Board of Finance or on the Board of Education , a vacancy election shall be held at the next biennial election. Any political party may nominate one candidate for each vacancy for membership on the Board or in the office of the Mayor. No voter may vote for more than one candidate to fill such vacancy in the applicable Board or in the office of the Mayor. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes is elected as a member of the applicable Board for the balance of the term which was vacated, or in the case of the Mayor or the Board of Representatives, until the next biennial election.
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