What Registrars of Voters Do

We are state officials who report to the Connecticut Secretary of State, but are elected by our town’s voters and paid by our local taxpayers.

The following list summarizes our legal responsibilities.

• Compile and maintain voter registration lists.
  • Register new voters.
  • Update voter information.
  • Remove voters.
  • Reinstate voters.

• Maintain voter registration records.
  • Paper copies of all voter registrations in our office.
  • Electronic copies of all voter registrations in the state database.
  • Dispose of paper and electronic documents according to the guidelines published by the Connecticut State Library.
  • Electronic and paper copies of changes to voter status: Felony convictions and releases.
                                                                                                    Property transfers
                                                                                                    Canvass records
                                                                                                    DMV changes
                                                                                                    Death notices
                                                                                                    Removal from the voter list
                                                                                                    Restoration to the voter list
    
    
• Conduct the Annual Canvass to keep voter lists accurate.
  • Reach out by mail to voters who have not voted in the past four years or who may have moved.
  • Update the voter lists based on each voter’s response or lack thereof.

• Educate ourselves, poll workers, and the public
  • Mandatory poll worker training (4 hours per election)
  • Voter education
  • Mandatory continuing education for registrars (6 hours per year minimum)
  • Monthly meetings with the Connecticut Secretary of State
  • Monthly meetings with fellow Tolland County registrars
  • Twice yearly educational/informational conferences hosted by the Connecticut Associations of Registrars of Voters (ROVAC).

• Conduct Elections, Primaries, Early Voting, Recanvasses, Audits, and Referenda.
  • Order ballots.
  • Hire and train poll workers.
  • Test voting machines (tabulators).
  • Hold a public lottery to determine position on the ballot for local candidates.
  • Acquire supplies to equip poll workers and manage polling locations.
  • Identify safe, secure, and accessible polling places.
  • Develop emergency plans that ensure voting will continue no matter what.
  • Provide registration sessions as required by law.
  • Certify election results with the town clerk and submit them to the Connecticut Secretary of State.
  • Conduct post-election audits to determine if the voting machines (tabulators) are working properly.
  • Conduct recounts of contested elections as required by law.
  • Update the state’s database with the voters who voted in each election.

• Update the Registrars' website as needed throughout the year.
• Respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
• Appoint Deputy, Assistant, and Special Assistant Registrars of Voters.

If we fail to perform our duties, we are subject to fines from the State Election Enforcement Commission and to felony charges. By law, we must pay any fines ourselves; neither the Town nor insurance can cover our expenses.