http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/2012/2012_10_31_LN%20121031%20Nov%206%20sots.mp3
Local registrars held a conference call Wednesday to talk about election preparation in the wak of Hurricane Sandy. As WNPRs Lucy Nalpathanchil reports, the Secretary of the State says Election Day will go on with or without power.
Denise Merrill says as of mid-week, there are one-hundred polling sites in Connecticut Light and Power's coverage area without So far, Merrill says CL&P has been very responsive, making it a priority to get town halls back on. But she hasn't heard yet from United Illuminating, a utility that powers a much smaller part of the state.
"We just have no information. We haven't been able to talk with them about it. I'm very concerned about Bridgeport. My understanding is most of the polling places in New Haven are up and running. We have heard from East Haven. They are a U-I town but we are looking forrward to talking with them soon."
U-I spokesman Michael West says it just got the list of polling sites from the Secretary of the State's office on Wednesday morning and are working to determine which sites do not have power.
Other polling sites in the black include ten of twelve polling locations in Norwalk and several in Greenwich. Merrill says they're on a CL&P priority list.
Meanwhile, if power is not fully restored by early next week, polling sites can still open because ballot scan machines also can be battery operated. And if there are locations closed because of storm damage, it's the town registrars that decide where to consolidate polling sites. Merrill says the challenge will notifying voters of any location changes.
Governor Dannel Malloy says its his goal too to make sure Nov 6 goes on as scheduled throughout Connecticut.
"That is our best sign of normalcy. This is a national election with national implications."
Elections officials in other states affected by Hurricane Sandy are also busy dealing with post storm planning but Merrill says Connecticut has it easier because damage was not as widespread.
