Politics & Government
[UPDATE] Westport's Unofficial Election Results
While the voter turnout in Westport did not top the 2008 election, more than 80 percent of registered Westport voters hit the polls on Tuesday.
Update: 2:30 a.m.
There was an 83 percent voter turnout in Westport on Tuesday. Here are the results of the Westport election, according to the Westport Registrar of Voters office:
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President:
- (R) Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan - 6,439
- (D) Barack Obama and Joe Biden - 8,494
- (Ind) Anderson and Rodriguez - 24
- (L) Johnson and Gray - 90
U.S. Senator:
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- (R) Linda McMahon - 6,106
- (D) Chris Murphy - 8,341
Representative in Congress - Fourth Congressional District:
- (R) Steve Obsitnik - 6,057
- (D) Jim Himes - 8,467
State Senator - 26th Senate District:
- (R) Toni Boucher - 6,169
- (D) Carolanne Curry - 6,024
State Senator – 28th Senate District:
- (R) John McKinney 1,104
State Rep. – 136th Assembly District:
- (R) Stephen Rubin - 5,740
- (D) Jonathan Steinberg - 7,398
State Rep. – 143rd Assembly District:
- (R) Gail Lavielle - 574
- (D) Ted Hoffstatter - 477
Update: 8:00 p.m.
12,196 out of 18,181 registered voters in Westport voted as of 7 p.m. That's a 67 percent voter turnout. The Registrar of Voters office predicted an 88-90 percent voter tunrout in Westport.
Update: 5:15 p.m.
At the Westport Library, Sandy Block discussed potential issues with the national election that could occur in New Jersey because of Hurricane Sandy. Many of the voting sites are closed because they are either flooded or powerless, according to Block. In New Jersey, voters are being allowed to vote at alternate polling stations.
“What’s more important, to make sure people vote, or that you get 100 percent accuracy in the voting? Then some people don’t get the right to vote,” he said. “Is that what you do? New Jersey said ‘no.’”
New Jersey is still facing emergency conditions on Election Day, Block said.
“New Jersey decided to have people vote, and then check later, instead of telling people ‘sorry, you lost your right to vote because it rained,’” Block said. “That means you might not know who won the election tonight. Votes will have to be authenticated at the end of the night.”
Update: 4:20 p.m.
Westport resident Sloan Jamali said she voted Republican this time around after hitting the polls at Saugatuck Elementary School Tuesday afternoon.
"I voted for Obama in the last election, but I decided to switch it up this year," she said. "Not like it matters. Connecticut is always a blue state."
When asked why she voted for Mitt Romney instead of President Barack Obama, she said, "I think we need a fresh perspective on the economy."
Jamali, who lives in Connecticut's 143rd Assembly District, said she voted for incumbent State Rep. Gail Levielle.
Update: 4:00 p.m.
Westport resident Diana Coyne, an independent, said she voted for President Barack Obama based on his foreign policy decisions. For U.S. Senate, Coyne said she voted for Linda McMahon.
Coyne, who lives in Connecticut's 136th Assembly District, voted for Republican candidate Stephen Rubin for state rep. She said she had not decided which candidate she was going to vote for when she arrived at Saugatuck Elementary School to vote Tuesday afternoon.
"We need a community center in this town," she said, adding that she has four children who were all part of the YMCA at one point in time. "I love Mahackeno. It belonged at Baron's South, but that is not going to happen. We need to step up and build the best Mahackeno we can."
Update: 3:30 p.m.
9,323 voters out of the 18,181 registered voters in Westport voted as of 3 p.m. That's a 51 percent voter turnout with five hours remaining before the polls close.
Update: 1:55 p.m.
While greeting voters outside of Saugatuck Elementary School Tuesday afternoon, State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg (D-136) said he was encouraged by the Westport voter turnout, especially after the damage Hurricane Sandy caused last week.
Steinberg said he expects voter turnout to top 80-85 percent, which was the voter turnout was during the 2008 presidential election.
"It's remarkable. That speaks very well of the people of Westport," he said. "Everyone is trying to get here. It is one of the nicest things that has happened during this campaign."
If re-elected, Steinberg said his priorities would be jobs, transportation and infrastructure.
"We've got 100-year-old rail bridges that need to be replaced," he said, adding that he wanted to make sure that all of Connecticut's resources don't go to new railways or busways.
While campaigning prior to the election, Steinberg knocked on his constituent's doors in order to speak with people and be open to all different viewpoints, he said.
"That is something I've been trying to do in Hartford. I try to do research and assemble as much info to do right with every vote," he said.
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Good morning, and welcome to Election Day 2012!
Today, Westport residents go to the polls to choose a president, a U.S. Senator, a U.S. Representative representing the 4th District, a state Senator representing the 26th District and State Representatives from the 136th 143rd Districts.
See below for information on where to cast your ballot and the list of candidates. We've also included how Westport voted in 2008, the year of the last presidential election, and 2010, the last mid-term election.
Read it over, then visit your local polling station between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. to make your voice heard! And be sure to check back here for updates throughout the day, including the announcement of the winners as soon as votes are tallied tonight.
Also, check out our live blog to see what voters and candidates across the state are saying about Election Day. This is also where you'll find live election updates all of the races affecting Westport.
State and National Races
U.S. Senate
Chris Murphy (D) and Linda McMahon (R) are vying for the seat vacated by Joe Lieberman. (Click on "U.S. Senate" for updates, results and reactions.)
Fourth Congressional District
Jim Himes (D) and Steve Obsitnik (R) are after the seat currently held by Himes. (Click on "Fourth Congressional District" for updates, results and reactions.)
26th Senate District
Toni Boucher (R) and Carolane Currey (D) are vying for the seat currently held by Boucher. (Click on "26th Senate District" for updates, results and reactions.)
136th Assembly District
Jonathan Steinberg (D) and Stephen Rubin (R) are vying for the seat currently held by Steinberg. (Click on "136th Assembly District" for updates, results and reactions.)
143rd Assembly District
Gail Lavielle (R) and Ted Hoffslatter (D) are vying for the seat currently held by Lavielle. (Click on "143rd Assembly District" for updates, results and reactions.)
Westport Polling Places
Polls open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. To find polling locations and precincts in Westport, click here.
Still not sure who you're voting for? Check out our Election Guide to see coverage of candidate debates, updates from the campaign trail, opeds, letters and more.
How Westport Voted in 2008 (86% Turnout)
(D=Democrat; R=Republican; G=Green; I=Independent; WF=Working Families; CL=Connecticut for Lieberman)
PRESIDENT
- Obama-Biden (D) — 10,067 votes
- McCain-Palin (R) — 5,342 votes
- Nader-Gonzalez (G) — 62 votes
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 4st DISTRICT
- Jim Himes (D) —6,816 votes
- Chris Shays (R) — 7,983 votes
- Richard Z. Duffee (G) — 75 votes
- Jim Himes (WF) — 186 votes
- Michael Anthony Carrano (L) — 64 votes
26th SENATE DISTRICT
- Toni Boucher (R) 6,146 votes
- John Hartwell (D) 8,029 votes
- John Hartwell (WF) 146 votes
133rd ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
- Amanda Parks (R) 444 votes
- Kim Fawcett (D) 762 votes
136th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
- Nitzy Cohen (R) 4,656 votes
- Joseph Mioli (D) 8,815 votes
How Westport Voted in 2010 (65% Turnout)
(D=Democrat; R=Republican; G=Green; I=Independent; WF=Working Families; CL=Connecticut for Lieberman; SA=Socialist Action)
U.S. SENATE
- Richard Blumenthal (D) — 6,089 votes
- Linda McMahon (R) — 5,048 votes
- Richard Blumenthal (WF) — 140 votes
- Warren Mosler (I) — 76 votes
- John Mertens (CL) — 47 votes
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 4st DISTRICT
- Jim Himes (D) — 6,224 votes
- Dan Debicella (R) — 4,979 votes
- Jim Himes (WF) — 148 votes
26th SENATE DISTRICT
- Toni Boucher (R) 5,727 votes
- John Hatwell (D) 5,298 votes
- John Hatwell (WF) 127 votes
133rd ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
- DeeDee Brandt (R) 446 votes
- Kim Fawcett (D) 545 votes
136th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
- Nitzy Cohen (R) 4,715 votes
- Jonathan Steinberg (D) 5,508 votes
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