Government/Town

How to Get Your Name on the November Ballot

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Are you interested in running for local office this November? There are several ways to get your name on the ballot, depending on your party affiliation and how you choose to run. Below is a summary of your options:

Major Party Endorsement – Secure the endorsement of a recognized political party through its official nominating process.• Town committee caucuses will be held between July 15 and July 22.• Contact your local party town committee for specific details about their caucus proceduresPrimary Petition (Challenge a Party Endorsement) – If you do not receive your party’s endorsement, you can challenge it by filing a primary petition.• Petitions must include signatures from at least 5% of enrolled party members in your municipality.• Petitions are available from the Registrars of Voters starting the day after the caucus ends.Nominating Petition (Petitioning Candidate line on ballot)• Any Suffield registered voter – whether affiliated with a party or unaffiliated – may request a nominating petition from the Secretary of the state• Collect the required number of signatures and submit the completed forms no later August 6 at 4 p.m.Write-In Candidacy – To run as a write-in candidate:• Complete Form ED-622a and file it with the Secretary of the State• Write-in candidates will not appear on the ballot and will not be listed with a political party designation. For more information on how to access the ballot and obtain necessary forms, visit: https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Candidate-Information/Candidate-Ballot-Access

Positions that will be on the November ballot include:• First Selectman• Board of Selectmen• Board of Finance• Board of Finance Alternate• Board of Education• Board of Assessment Appeals• Planning and Zoning Commission• Planning and Zoning Commission Alternate• Police Commissioners• Fire Commissioners• Water Pollution Control Authority

If you have additional questions, contact the Registrars of Voters at 860-668-3850 or Town Clerk at 860-668-3880.