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Canaan selectmen approve letter asking Secretary of State for early‑voting relief for small towns
Summary
The Town of Canaan Board of Selectmen reviewed and executed a letter to Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas on Jan. 12, 2026, saying early voting creates a significant financial burden for small towns and requesting a graduated early‑voting schedule; the board approved the letter unanimously.
First Selectman David Barger read a draft letter to Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Jan. 12, 2026, asking the office to consider a graduated early‑voting schedule for small municipalities.
The letter, which the board reviewed and approved, enumerated concerns including the financial burden on small towns, low participation rates, increased registrar workload and an estimated local cost of $8,200 total — or about $115.75 per early voter, figures cited in the draft. The board executed the letter during the meeting.
Barger presented the draft and framed it as a request that state officials account for town size and capacity when scheduling mandatory early‑voting days. The board did not record a roll‑call mover and seconder for the approval in the minutes; the transcript states the board reviewed, approved, and executed the letter.
The board set no binding terms or follow‑up timeline in the meeting minutes; next steps would depend on any response from the Secretary of State's office. The item will also be on the agenda for the Jan. 29 town meeting if further local discussion is needed.
