How do I get my name on the November ballot? This is a good question. There are a few easy ways to get your name on the ballot: 1) Major party endorsement, 2) Primary challenge of a major party endorsement, 3) Nominating petition and 4) Write-in.
There will be several town board and office positions on this November’s ballot: Board of Assessment Appeals, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Board of Fire Commission, Board of Police Commission, Board of Selectmen, First Selectman, Planning & Zoning Commissioners, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Water Pollution Control Authority.
1) Major party endorsement is achieved through the town committee’s caucus held between July 18 and 22. Party rules will dictate how the caucus will be run. Contact your local Democrat or Republican Town Committee chair and inform them that you would like to run as a candidate for a particular position.
2) Challenge of a major party endorsement for a municipal office can be challenged only by primary petition. Any petition filed must consist of a total signature amount equal to at least 5% of the enrolled party members in the municipality (approximately 125 signatures). Petitions are available from the registrars of voters the day after the close of the caucus.
3) Nominating petitions – A candidate who is not nominated by a political party may secure a place on the ballot by filing a nominating petition with the Secretary of the State no later than August 9 by 4 p.m. Nomination petition became available January 3. Visit this website for more information: https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Nominating-Petitions/Nominating-Petitions
4) Write-in candidates must complete form ED-622a and file it with the Secretary of the State not more than ninety days prior to the election and not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day preceding the election. The registration will not include a designation of any political party.
For more information go to https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Candidate-Information/Candidate-Ballot-Access This website will provide answers to many of your questions.