The presidential preference primary took place on Tuesday.
As expected, Republican Donald J. Trump and Democrat Joe Biden were the winners in Connecticut’s primary, which had been delayed twice. It was originally scheduled to be held April 28. Governor Lamont initially ordered it to be rescheduled to June 2, and rescheduled it a second time for Aug 11.
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said there were about 300,000 requests for absentee ballots. That represents about 10 times the highest requests for absentee ballots for any previous election in Connecticut. The list of valid reasons to request an absentee ballot included having concern about contracting Covid-19 for both the primary and general election on Nov 3, 2020.
In Greenwich the Town provided secure drop boxes for absentee ballots – one at town hall and one at the public safety complex – where voters could deposit their ballots up until 8:00pm, which was when polls closed.
Rocque “Rocky” De La Fuente, California real estate developer and businessman was the only challenger on the Republican ballot.
US Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders and US Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district, Tulsi Gabbard, challenged Biden, even though both had previously suspended their campaigns. Voters were also given the choice of voting “uncommitted.”
Governor Lamont issued an executive order to make sure that, as long as a ballot is postmarked by Tuesday Aug 11 and received by Thursday Aug 13, it will be counted.
The Greenwich Registrar of Voters office shared the results Wednesday morning:
Democratic Primary:
3267 Joe Biden
287 Bernie Sanders
43 Tulsi Gabbard
44 Uncommitted
Republican Primary:
1251 Donald Trump
181 Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente
405 Uncommitted