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For New Canaan, Local Ballot Goes Beyond Just Clinton Vs. Trump

NEW CANAAN, Conn. — Much of the political spotlight this year is focused on the heated race for the presidency between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

In the race for the 4th Congressional District, Republican challenger John Shaban, right, is taking on four-term Democratic incumbent Jim Himes, left.

In the race for the 4th Congressional District, Republican challenger John Shaban, right, is taking on four-term Democratic incumbent Jim Himes, left.

 Photo Credit: File
Sandra Diamond Fox

But voters in New Canaan are also set to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in a number of races that are much closer to home — including five questions on the Charter.

Voters will be casting ballots in races for the U.S. Senate and House:

  • U.S. Senate: Democrat incumbent Richard Blumenthal of Greenwich vs. Republican challenger Dan Carter of Bethel vs. Richard Lion of the Libertarian Party and Jeffery Russell of the Green Party
  • 4th District U.S. House: Republican challenger John Shaban of Redding vs. Democrat incumbent Jim Himes of Greenwich

There are also two races for the State Senate (residents vote only in their district):

  • Senate District 36: John Blankley, Democrat, vs. L. Scott Frantz, Republican incumbent, vs. Edward G. Heflin of the Green Party
  • Senate District 26: Carolanne Curry, Democrat, vs. Toni Boucher, Republican incumbent

For the State House, there are two different districts in New Canaan (residents vote only in their district):

  • House District 125: Tom O'Dea, Republican incumbent, vs. Hector L. Lopez, Green Party
  • House District 142: Fred Wilms, Republican incumbent, vs. Anna Duleep, of the Working Families Party, vs. Hector L. Lopez, Green Party

In local elections, George F. Cody, a Democrat, is running for registrar of voters.

There are also five questions on the ballot:

  • 1. Shall the current Charter be changed to allow electors to vote for up to six Town Council members, which is typically the number of vacancies, instead of the current limit of four during each biennial election?
  • 2. Shall the current Charter be changed so that members of the Board of Finance will no longer be required to be real estate taxpayers, in order to be consistent with the requirements for the Town Council and other boards, commissions and committees?
  • 3. Shall the current Charter be changed so that the First Selectman, although remaining an ex officio member of the Board of Finance, will no longer serve as Chairman of the Board of Finance, and the Board of Finance will choose its Chairman from its regular members?
  • 4. Shall the current Charter be changed by adding articles and provisions including the Audit Committee, Conservation Commission, Health and Human Services Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission, Ethics Board and Town Attorney?
  • 5. Shall the current Charter be changed to make a series of technical and conforming changes which clarify definitions, delete outdated references no longer applicable and update provisions to current practice?

And for president and vice president, four teams are on the ballot:

  • Democrats Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine;
  • Republicans Donald Trump and Mike Pence
  • Libertarian Party's Gary Johnson and Bill Weld
  • Green Party's Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka
  • Or you can do a write-in candidate.

Click here to see a sample ballot for New Canaan from the secretary of the state's website.

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