Making your mark: Voting in the Elm City

Living in New Haven means that can choose to vote here too. Some Yalies choose to register in New Haven to become more intimately involved in their city and have a direct voice in local politics. Others register in their permanent home states or counties, preferring to have their political voice there.

As a frosh, you'll definitely be in New Haven's First Ward; Ward One includes residents of Old Campus and all residential colleges save Pierson and Davenport, which are in the Seventh Ward, and Ezra Stiles and Morse, which are in Ward 22.

New Haven--including the corner of it Yale occupies--is a predominantly Democratic city. In the 1994 Governor's race, for example, of Ward One's 1,412 registered voters, 37 percent voted, with 400 voting for Bill Curry, the Democratic candidate.

Also, Democratic Mayor John DeStefano Jr. succeeded Democrat John Daniels who himself succeeded yet another Democrat--in fact, many residents can't even remember the last time a non-Democrat presided over the Elm City.

According to Sharon Ferrucci, Democratic registrar of voters, voter registration in Ward One was down in 1994-95, but it should rise with the upcoming Presidential elections. Recently, more people have registered as Republicans or as unaffiliated voters, she added.

Registering to vote here is fairly easy. All you have to do is give the registrar of voters a call, request a voter registration card, fill it out, and bingo, before you know it, you can directly affect the city's political scene.

You need to register at least two weeks before a general election and by noon the day before a party primary in order to be eligible to vote. In the fall, student groups usually organize voter registration drives, so you can sign up then too.

Be aware, however, that registering to vote in Connecticut may have unexpected consequences. By registering to vote here, you've declared yourself a Connecticut resident and may become ineligible for grants or scholarships exclusive to residents of other states. Contact your home state's board of elections with any questions about how registering here may affect you.

Back to the Freshman Issue...