Press Releases
04/19/2021
Secretary Merrill to Award the Democracy Cup to Four Towns With the Highest 2020 Voter Turnout
Burlington, Newtown, Glastonbury, and Stamford win the 2020 Democracy Cup
HARTFORD – Four Connecticut towns earned the coveted Democracy Cup, which is awarded to municipalities that saw the highest voter turnout in the state in the 2020 general election. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill will present titles in four categories based on town size—small, mid-sized, large, and city. The winners were Burlington (small), Newtown (mid-sized), Glastonbury (large), and Stamford (city).
“This year, in spite of the COVID-19 outbreak, Connecticut saw incredible turnout! More than 650,000 voters cast their vote by absentee ballot. Voters across the state want to be able to have this option in every election,” said Secretary Merrill. “The people of Connecticut have made their voices heard, in spite of the obstacles caused by the pandemic, and I will fight to continue to make both registration and voting convenient and accessible for every Connecticut voter.”
Secretary Merrill will award the Democracy Cups as follows:
|
Small Town: Burlington |
Location TBA |
Friday, April 30, 2020 |
9:30am |
|
Mid-Size Town: Newtown |
3 Primrose Street [Outside selectman’s office] |
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
|
12pm |
|
Large Town: Glastonbury |
Town Hall 2155 Main St. |
Friday, April 23, 2021 |
10am |
|
City: Stamford |
888 Washington Blvd. [In front of Stamford Government Center] |
Tuesday, April 20, 2021 |
9:30am |
Under Democracy Cup criteria, revised this year, cities and towns with fewer than 10,000 people are considered small; cities and towns with between 10,000 and 30,000 people are considered mid-sized; cities and towns with between 30,000 and 65,000 people are considered large. Cities and towns with more than 65,000 people are categorized as cities. The competition has been co-sponsored by the East Haddam Civic Association since 2000.
In the 2020 general election, a record 1,861,086 people cast a ballot out of an all-time high of 2,334,979 registered voters. Total statewide turnout was 79.70%.
More than 650,000 voters cast their vote by absentee ballot, 93% of absentee ballots issued were returned, 35% of votes cast were cast by absentee ballot, and the absentee ballot rejection rate was less than 1%.
Turnout among the four winners was: 91.94% in Burlington, 90.17% in Newtown; 88.66 % in Glastonbury and 79.68 % in Stamford. Each community awarded the Democracy Cup will be able to host and display a trophy until the 2022 election.
Secretary Merrill recognizes towns with the highest number of new registered voters across the state. For Small Towns, there were 1,069 in Burlington; 914 in Hebron; and 909 in Woodbury. For Mid-sized Towns, there were 3,066 in Vernon; 2,635 in Westport; and 2,531 in New Milford. For Large Towns, there were 5,423 in West Hartford; 5,311 in Manchester; and 5,206 in Hamden. For Cities, there were 9,831 in Stamford; 8,219 in New Haven; and 7,033 in Hartford.
In addition, Secretary Merrill recognizes towns with the highest number of absentee ballots received across the state. For Small Towns, there were 2,666 in Woodbridge; 2,642 in Portland; and 2,624 in Old Lyme. For Mid-sized Towns, there were 9,234 in Westport; 7,539 in Cheshire; and 7,537 in Branford. For Large Towns, there were 18,434 in West Hartford; 15,827 in Greenwich; and 14,467 in Fairfield. For Cities, there were 23,557 in Stamford; 16,761 in Norwalk; and 14,444 in New Haven.
Finally, Secretary Merrill recognizes the towns that had over 90% voter turnout: Burlington, with 91.94%; Cornwall, with 90.22%; and Newtown, with 90.17%.
Democracy Cup Winners
2000-2020
|
Year |
SMALL TOWN |
MID-SIZE TOWN |
LARGE TOWN |
CITY |
|
2020 |
Burlington |
Newtown |
Glastonbury |
Stamford |
|
2018 |
Washington |
Granby |
Guilford |
West Hartford |
|
2016 |
Pomfret |
Somers |
Wallingford |
Greenwich |
|
2014 |
Cornwall |
Guilford |
Glastonbury |
Fairfield |
|
2012 |
Bridgewater |
Granby |
Middletown |
Stamford |
|
2011 |
Hampton |
Middlebury |
Trumbull |
Waterbury |
|
2010 |
Roxbury |
Granby |
Simsbury |
Stamford |
|
2009 |
Bridgewater |
Orange |
East Haven |
Stamford |
|
2008 |
New Hartford |
Avon |
Newtown |
Stamford |
|
2007 |
East Haven |
North Haven |
West Hartford |
|
|
2006 |
Union |
Westport |
West Hartford |
|
|
2005 |
Middlebury |
Shelton |
West Hartford |
|
|
2004 |
Washington |
Wethersfield |
Fairfield |
|
|
2003 |
Washington |
Naugatuck |
West Hartford |
|
|
2002 |
Middlebury |
Glastonbury |
West Hartford |
|
|
2001 |
Washington |
Trumbull |
Waterbury |
|
|
2000 |
Essex |
Westport |
West Hartford |
|
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