The role of Registrar of Voters is arguably the most boring, by-the-book job at Town Hall. Except when it isn’t. It seems as though every year the Registrars encounter a situation which requires research and consultation with State officials. The most recent example – questions arising over the Democratic Caucus that appointed new members to its Town Committee.

Last month, the Republican Town Committee submitted a letter critical of Rose Bisson for “unceremoniously (becoming) a member of the Democratic Town Committee”, a change of party affiliation that left the Board of Education Ms. Bisson chairs without the required minority representation. But some members of the Democratic Party were also disturbed to discover that a Republican was appointed to the DTC. This is contrary to the “Rules Governing the Democratic Party in all Towns in Connecticut” which state: “No person shall be eligible to serve on the Town Committee unless he or she is a registered member of the Democratic Party”. At the time of the appointment, Ms. Bisson was a registered Republican.

Reportedly, Ms. Bisson was not present at the Caucus; nor was her name on the enrollment list supplied by Democratic Registrar of Voters Mary Oliver. According to member Michael Quick, when Ms. Bisson’s name was recommended for nomination, he verified that she was unaffiliated as he helped her fill out an on-line application for enrollment in the Democratic Party. Apparently the Caucus chose to rely on this information rather than the list provided by Ms. Oliver. But records at Town Hall show that Ms. Bisson was a registered Republican on January 15 when she was elected to the DTC. Her application to change party affiliation was received and processed on January 23, one week later; however, she did not become a registered member of the Democrat Party until April 23, because when voters change affiliations, their privileges do not become effective for 90 days. Only the rights of unaffiliated voters attach immediately when enrolling in a political party.

Under usual circumstances, the remedy for grievances regarding the conduct or the outcome of a Caucus is to circulate a petition to Primary. However, according to the Office of the Secretary of State, if a petition had been filed by registered Democrats in this case, the State Central Committee would have needed to remove Ms. Bisson’s name from the slate endorsed at the Caucus because she was ineligible to serve as a member of the Democratic Town Committee.

There was consensus between both the Republicans and the Democrats who raised concerns, particularly because of the recent negative press and suspicion regarding the integrity of elections, including whether or not all people who participate in the political process are legally entitled to. As one resident stated, “In order to inspire confidence in Hampton voters, those responsible for voting events have to follow the letter of the law.”

Dayna McDermott Arriola