Election 2012: Voter Registration Deadline Extended in Avon and Connecticut

OUTSIDE HARTFORD, CT -- This is the second year in a row that Avon has experienced a massive storm the week before an election.

Oct. 30 was the original deadline for anyone wishing to register in person to vote in the Nov. 6 presidential election.

But due to Hurricane Sandy, Gov. Dannel P. Mally signed an executive order Sunday evening "extending the in-person voter registration deadline" in the state to Nov. 1, at 8 p.m.

“Considering the emergency situation our state is facing, it is neither practical nor wise at this time for people to travel to their town halls so they can meet the deadline to hand in their voter registration applications in person, as the law requires,” Malloy said in a press release posted on the secretary of state's website. “Safety is our top priority, and the best thing to do to ensure that nobody is disenfranchised because of the storm is to extend the deadline until after the hurricane has passed.”

Secretary of State Denise Merrill, who is the state's chief elections official, said that it is a priority for voters to "stay home and stay safe" during the storm.

“We still want to give eligible voters and those who haven’t yet found time to register to vote a chance to make their voices heard in the November 6 presidential election, and many will find it hard to get to their town hall in the next two days due to the weather and complications from the storm," Merrill said in the press release. "Therefore, I commend Governor Malloy for making this wise decision – this will give everyone who wants to cast a ballot in the election extra time to register."

On another note, some Connecticut town officials are urging residents to bring political signs inside because of the high winds.

As, the November presidential and local election approaches, Avon Town Councilman David Peña, who is running against State Rep. Tim LeGeyt for the 17th District Connecticut House of Representatives seat, said he has taken his campaign signs down. 

"@AvonPatch I took my signs down. I was concern that with high winds my signs could become airborne and cause an accident," he said in a tweet to Avon Patch.

Some Avon Patch readers maintain the enthusiasm for their candidates, but are putting safety first.

"We have taken ours down," Avon resident Audrey Vecino wrote on our Avon Patch Facebook page.

"My Kevin witkos, Andrew roraback, charity folk signs are safely tucked In my garage, they will be out as soon as the wind dies down," Simsbury resident Angela Campetti wrote on Facebook.

Avon has not ordered residents to take its lawn signs inside at this time, but have you anyway?

Are you going to take advantage of the extended voter registration deadline?

How much will Hurricane Sandy factor into how you vote, if at all?

Tell us in the comments!