Stephanie Thomas calls low turnout “resounding success”, as early voting drains resources

A total of 18,062 ballots were cast during early voting from March 26-28, 30th— 12,697 by Democrats, 5,365 by Republicans — amounting to just 1.4 % of all active Republican and Democrat voter registrations. Here’s the breakdown in a few of the cities and towns:

New Haven:

• funds expended, including state: $33,000 (estimated)
• voter turnout (4 days): 247
• cost per voter: $133 minimum

Hartford:

• state funding: $10,500
• town cost: unknown
• voter turnout (4 days): 194
• cost per voter: $54 minimum

Waterbury:

• state funding: $10,500
• town cost: unknown
• voter turnout (4 days): 92
• cost per voter: $114 minimum

Fairfield:

• state funding: $10,500
• town cost: unknown
• voter turnout (4 days): 200
• cost per voter: $53 minimum

Trumbull:

• state funding: $10,500
• town cost: unknown
• voter turnout: 266
• cost per voter: $39 minimum

Stephanie Thomas had press releases as the SOTS was optimistic; the last was March 28th, where ‘no major issues’ were reported. State officials were ‘excited to make history.’

The CT Mirror highlighted, however, that early votes would not be counted early; they would be ‘treated much like absentee ballots.’ And there is currently no funding from the state, for early voting in November.

To complicate matters further, the Mirror pointed out that if CT does receive new tabulators in time for November, it will require additional training for election workers.

Speaking with WSHU, Thomas said, “Pretty low turnout in general, but I thought [1.4% turnout] was a resounding success.”