To the Editor:
Who’s running for office in 2024? This question almost certainly brings to mind the two presidential candidates appearing on this year’s high-profile ballot: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Engagement in this race is high, with 67 million viewers tuning in to watch their debate on Sept. 10, and 42 million viewing their vice presidential candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Walz on the debate stage.
However, beyond the national spotlight, an equally crucial yet often overlooked race is taking place much closer to home. Local and state elections, frequently overshadowed by federal races, shape our daily lives in ways that are far more immediate than most realize. The decisions made by local officials—from school boards to zoning regulations — directly impact our town, yet these elections often go unnoticed by many voters.
State leaders bear responsibility for addressing issues that are often more immediate to voters than those tackled at the national level. They oversee the allocation of funding for public education, ensuring that our Wilton schools receive the necessary resources. Healthcare policy is another major focus, particularly decisions around HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid program, which affects healthcare access for low-income families and children. Connecticut’s extensive infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transit systems, demands continuous attention, with legislators deciding how to finance repairs and upgrades. In recent years, measures passed at the state level include removing religious exemptions for mandatory childhood vaccinations, reestablishing rights for non-biological parents, expanding access to paid sick days, and requiring video surveillance at absentee-ballot drop-off locations to ensure election fairness.
How can we reduce tax burdens on small businesses? What measures would lead to less traffic congestion and fewer accidents in Fairfield County? How can the state lower electricity costs?
These closer-to-home questions were addressed in the candidate debates co-sponsored by GOOD Morning Wilton, the Wilton League of Women Voters and the Wilton Library on Tuesday, Oct. 8. State representative candidates Savet Constantine (D) and Kim Healy (R), along with state senate candidates Kami Evans (R) and Ceci Maher (D), had the chance to communicate their stances on several policy issues to voters, providing a glimpse of what a term with them in office might look like. The wide range of topics covered demonstrates the significance of these positions.
In addition to choosing who will take office, a key referendum question regarding voting will appear on this year’s ballot: whether the state of Connecticut should permit no-excuse absentee ballots. This question appears on the ballot because it requires an amendment to the state constitution, meaning it must be decided by a popular vote after approval by the General Assembly. Under the current state constitution, voters may only cast an absentee ballot under certain circumstances: being out of town on election day, sickness or disability, or religious beliefs preventing secular activity on election day. This amendment seeks to remove these limitations, expanding voting accessibility.
Many have already cast their ballots, as this is the first election cycle with early voting in Connecticut. Polls opened for Early Voting on Monday, Oct. 21, and will remain open until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Your vote matters — make sure your voice is heard!
Lilah Gettler and Kendra Ward
Wilton League of Women Voters Interns