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Politics & Government

Updated: Polls Are Closed! Results Soon!

Issues of concern vary, include quality of education, debt, recent power outages; Many cite fulfilling civic duty as Americans as primary motivation.

8 p.m. update:

As darkness covered the Surf Club, the Girl Scouts packed up their cookies and the majority of people milling around were members of the political parties holding campaign signs.

According to Democratic Registrar of Voters William Gowanlock 1,057 people had cast votes by about 6 p.m.  “Our best guess right now is that it’s a little bit higher than a referendum, but lower than the gubernatorials and presidentials,” he said.  “We ordered a lot more ballots, based on past experience, so its low compared to past experience.”

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Moderator Laura Downes said, “Traditionally we always have an after work increase in people coming and that’s been typical. Today’s no different than other times.”

"It's part of the job"

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Standing outside, as the air got colder, was First Selectman Fillmore McPherson. He says running unopposed has its positives and negatives.  “Of course I’m running unopposed for the first time in Madison’s history,” he said.  “I’ve been out just about all day because I think it’s important the citizens get a chance to meet their elected officials at a time like this.  So even though I didn’t have to be out I felt it’s part of the job.”

Asked how it felt to be the only name on the ballot, under First Selectmen, McPherson laughed. “What it has meant is that for the last several months I’ve not had to devote as much energy to campaigning. I’ve been able to spend more time on town business. On the other hand, campaigning has its fun attributes. I do enjoy meeting people, so I sort of miss that business of going out and meeting people.”

His message to the voters, “Contested or uncontested I think it’s still every citzen’s responsibility to come out on voting day. We cannot let voting die by lack of interest.”

7:00 p.m. update:

As of 7 o’clock this evening, approximately 751 Madison residents cast their votes at the  district two polling area at Brown Middle School .  People showed their support for town officials as a slow and steady stream of voters filed into the school many on their way home from work.

Voters also expressed opinions over issues facing Madison such as overspending, zoning and funding of special education programs in the public schools.  One town resident cited the commitment to athletic fields as well as the availability  of adequate open space. 

When asked why voting was important, one voter said his children were the main reason.  “It’s important for them to get into the pattern of seeing their mom and dad vote.”  Another resident reflected on the significance of the upcoming holiday.  “In light of Veterans Day, the right to vote is important!”  As one of the voters answered, he enthusiastically exclaimed, “I’ve voted in every election since I was 18 years old!”

5:00 p.m. update:

Voter turnout has been light but steady at the Brown Middle School polling site in North Madison, and by 3 p.m. approximately 440 voters had already cast their vote in the town’s mostly uncontested races. Residents who came out this afternoon to support their local candidates said that fulfilling their civic duty as Americans was their primary motivation.

Virginia Raff, Madison Assistant Registrar of Voters, said that the stream of voters has not been expectedly slow.  “It’s pretty impressive!  Since there was no school today, it’s good to see parents voting with their children.”  She has been working with the Registrar of Voters for about 5 years and says that she finds the process interesting.  “I’m worried about democracy, and I encourage people to vote.”  

Residents gave various reasons as to why they came out to vote today.  “It’s important to come out and support the work that’s being done for the town.” said one voter.  One Madison mom explained to her children, “A lot of people don’t have the right to vote.”

"You can't complain if you don't vote"

When asked why voting was important to them, the answers varied.  “ You can’t complain if you don’t vote!”  Another voter exclaimed that, “I love my town and feel an obligation to it as a citizen.”

Voters also discussed the important issues they considered in giving a candidate their support.  One senior voter expressed the importance of education.  “No matter where you are in life, education is important to support.”

While some residents voted strictly along party lines, one voter said that they vote for, “someone who is making decisions that are best for the welfare of the community.”  Another important issue voters consider is spending, and who decides how are money is best utilized.

Issues of concern vary

Some voters also felt an important issue was for town leaders to have a strong voice in terms of our utility companies in light of recent storms that severely affected residents. 

Some residents talked about important issues outside of Madison affecting them, too.  “Managing finances and putting the brakes on spending.  “We need to pay more attention to debt.  Not so much for me, but for my grandchildren who will be saddled with it.”  said one voter. 

Late afternoon at Surf Club Girl Scout Troop # 62086 continued to promote their famous Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs and Do-si-dos, politicians were holding signs and shaking hands and voters were trickling into the Surf Club building to cast their votes.

"We'll see what the ultimate turnout is"

While turnout appeared to be light, it was steady and Democratic Board of Finance candidate, Bennett Pudlin, said the information he was hearing was encouraging.

“I think the turnout is what one might expect for an election that is largely uncontested,” said Pudlin.  “According to the registrar the numbers are higher than he thought they might be, so we’ll see what the ultimate turnout is. It’s hard for folks to get motivated when there isn’t a real contest, but I hope everyone will come out and exercise their right to vote.  It’s important.”

While most voters seemed to agree that turnout was lighter than it traditionally is in elections that include presidential, congressional or senatorial candidates they all hoped that people would exercise their right to vote.

"It's a way to become part of the town"

Patricia Barba, who along with her daughter Carly-Anna left the Surf Club with her Girl Scout cookies, said, “It’s a way to become part of the town.”

George Laursen, who left the Surf Club Building with his wife Mary, voiced his disdain at the fact that more people were not out casting their vote.  “I think it’s a shame,” said Laursen, who has lived in town for 40 years.  “I think everybody should vote.  It’s a privilege and an honor to be able to do that.”

The most pressing issue for Madison voters, in Laursen’s opinion, is taxes.  “Seniors are looking for tax abatement, which I agree with,” he said.  “The property taxes kill most people that come to live in this town.  They can’t afford them.”

"Town needs better control of its finances and ... departments"

As for the number of uncontested positions on the ballot Laursen said, “people have lost interest.  (People) aren’t conscious of the fact that the town needs some changes, needs better control of its finances and control of all of its departments.”

Resident Patricia Donohue thinks one way to get more people involved in the political process is to start in the schools.  “Seeing the paucity of contenders today and perhaps even the scarcity of the crowd maybe we need to talk more about service,” said Donahue.

“Maybe even starting it in a civic minded way in the schools, like at the high school level.  So it wouldn’t be political, because it really should be civic minded, not political.  Statesmen, not politicians.  I think if we could do more with civic activities maybe in the schools and start to cultivate them at least at the high school level,” said Donahue.

Send a message, vote

“I think there will be enough votes cast to decide the open positions and solidify the ones that are on the ballot for today,” said Republican Board of Finance Candidate Sandy McKissick.

While there may be differences in how people cast their votes there is one thing they all agree on. Everyone should go out and vote.     


“I think it’s extremely important to vote for all the boards, I think” said Democratic Board of Selectman Candidate Joan Walker.  “It sends a message to the people who are serving on those boards that they have support and that they have the people behind them.”

Original story (posted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday):

Voter turnout was "steady," "on track," and, yes "light," early Tuesday as Madison residents took advantage of the beautiful, unseasonably warm day to cast their votes.

Voters at Madison's Surf Club, in voting District 1, were met Tuesday morning by two Madison teenagers volunteering for First Selectman Fillmore McPherson's campaign. Spencer Agresta, 17, and James Carrigan, 17, were helping out in part to help fulfill a community service requirement for their school, Notre Dame in West Haven.

And they said they both came from politically oriented families, and were interested in seeing what it was like to get involved.

"It's nice to play a role in what goes on in town," Agresta said.

"Ahead of a referendum, behind a gubernatorial"

"Ahead of a referendum, behind a gubernatorial" election, said William Gowanlock, the Democratic registrar, when asked about turnout.

Madison voter Peggy Steiner said it never occurred to her not to vote, even though there is only one uncontested race this year, for Zoning Board of Appeals. She looked a little startled when asked, as if the answer was obvious. "It's the responsibility of all of us to exercise our right to vote," she said. "That's my feeling. It's a responsibility."

Elizabeth McCauley and Cindy Prochnick agreed, as they exited the Surf Club polling place. And, they got an additional bonus, they ran into their friend Chris Reynolds, walking in and got a big hug.

"It's your civic duty"

Lois and Sam Franz likewise didn't have any huge issues on their minds, no big beefs with the town that they wanted to air. "Oh!" said Lois, again, as if the answer was obvious. "It's your civic duty!"

"That's right," husband Sam agreed.

Ed Raff, who at one point was running for First Selectman before decided to bow out after becoming concerned he wouldn't have adequate time to do it properly, was chatting up Joel Marcus, who is one of the candidates in the only contested race. Both Raff and Marcus said turnout appeared to be light, but steady. Lots of seniors were voting, they said.

"You can always count on the seniors"

"You can always count on the seniors. They always come out," Raff said. They agreed it could be difficult for the average working person, with family obligations, to make time. "The question," Marcus said, "is how to make time between your 20s, when you have a lot of time, and your 60s, when you have a lot of time."

"I wish!" said Raff.

"Ok, your 70s," Marcus agreed.

Curbside service and Girl Scout cookies

Over closer to the entrance of the Surf Club building, one of the assistant registrars was providing curbside service to some seniors who had mobility issues and could not get out of their car.

And Elizabeth Howland, from Girl Scout Trop 62084, was taking the opportunity to sell some Girl Scout cookies with the help of her mother, Phelicia Howland. And sales were ... ?

"A little slow," Phelicia said.

"But we're selling," Elizabeth added.

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