In case you haven’t noticed the candidate yard signs scattered among the scarecrow and skeleton decorations, it is voting season here in Cheshire. In a couple weeks, eligible residents will get to cast their vote on 22 positions including Town Clerk, Town Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Board of Education. There are also seven referendum questions covering funding of road improvements, construction of a town splash pad, a new fire truck, and improvements at the high school. This is an excellent opportunity to get your voice heard and directly shape the community you live in!

If you’re a little confused on how, where, and when to vote, we’re here to demystify the process. 

Step 1: Make sure you can vote

Are you eligible to vote? U.S. citizens living in Connecticut who will be 18 years or older on election day (and who are not currently incarcerated on a convicted felony) are eligible to vote in the town of their residence. The CT Secretary of the State has excellent details on voter eligibility, as well as general information for voters.

Step 2: Register to vote

Not registered? you can 1) complete an application in-person at Town Hall, here at the Library, or at the DMV; 2) grab a blank application from one of those locations and mail it to Town Hall at 84 S Main St, Cheshire, CT 06410 by Friday, October 17; or 3) register online. If you need help navigating the process, don’t hesitate to call the Registrars of Voters at 203-271-6680 or stop by their office at Town Hall.

If you wait until the last minute, same-day registration is available on election day at Town Hall. The lines can get long, so it’s recommended only as a last resort.

Already registered? You can use the online Voter Registration Lookup tool at any time to check your registration status, party affiliation (if any), and your polling location.

Step 3: Find out what you’re voting on with a sample ballot

Now that you’re registered, it’s time to see what you’ll be voting on. Every address in town has an assigned voting district, and every voting district has a slightly different ballot. Find your 2025 voting district by locating your street address on this chart. According to this chart, if I lived at the library, I would be in District 7.

Now that you know your district, you can view your 2025 sample ballots on the Cheshire Elections webpage. Scroll down and click to see your full sample ballot. These are exactly the choices you’ll see when you go to vote.

Step 4: Research your ballot choices

You’ll notice from your sample ballot that there are lots of choices. How do you learn about the candidates and the issues that are important to them? A great starting place is going to the political party town committees. The Republican candidates are profiled by office on the Cheshire Republican Town Committee website, and you can get bios of the Democratic candidates on the Cheshire Democratic Town Committee website. These websites are as close to one-stop shopping as you’ll get for voting information.

You can also do an old-fashioned google search for candidates. Many of them have Facebook pages, and some have news articles or other mentions.

As for the seven referendum questions, the town put out an explanatory text so you can know a little more about what you’re voting for.

Step 5: Decide on your voting method

Now that you (hopefully) have an idea of how you’ll vote, it’s time to actually vote! You have the choice of voting on election day in-person, voting early in-person, or mailing in an absentee ballot.

To vote on election day, bring yourself and your identification to your designated polling place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 between 6am and 8pm. As long as you’re in line by 8pm, you’re covered!

To vote early, bring yourself and your ID to the Council Chambers at Town Hall from Monday, October 20 to Sunday, November 2, 2025. Early voting hours are 10am to 6pm, with extended hours of 8am to 8pm on October 28th and 30th. Last year was the first time we Connecticans had the ability to vote early, and it’s a welcome option that’s here to stay.

Under special circumstances, you may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. You can apply online, by mail, or in-person at the Town Clerk’s office at Town Hall.

Do you need accommodations to help you vote in-person? You have options, including using a ballot marking device, bringing or requesting an assistant, curbside voting, and having a line placeholder if you can’t stand for long periods.

Do you need transportation to your polling place? Please reach out to either the Democratic or Republican town committees. No matter your party affiliation or how you intend to vote, they will help you get to the polls!

Do you have other questions or concerns? Contact the Registrars of Voters, who oversee municipal elections and ensure the integrity of the voting process. We have two elected Registrars – one from each political party – and two deputy registrars. They would love to help you exercise your constitutional right!

With no representatives or presidents on the ballot, it may not feel like a big year, but municipal elections still have a big impact on your community. And with early voting and multiple ways to register, it’s easier than ever to get your voice heard!