March 27, 2018: Denise W. Merrill, Connecticut's Secretary of the State, will join the League of Women Voters of the East Shore and CT Shoreline Indivisible for a public meeting on "Your Vote" on Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. in the Community Room of Branford's Fire Dept. Headquarters, 45 North Main St.

Given the rising concern of outside interference in our electoral process, Ms. Merrill will address current protections of the voter database information, both nationally and in Connecticut. She will also update us regarding the status of proposed changes to state regulations affecting when and how we vote. Some of these changes would require amending the state constitution, necessitating a question on the November 6 ballot statewide.

Elona Vaisnys, chairperson of LWVCT's CEProud project, will explain Connecticut's "Citizens' Election Program."　 This is a voluntary program designed to encourage more citizen participation and to limit the role of private money in the political process. It provides full financing to qualified candidates for Statewide offices and the General Assembly. In order to participate, candidates must agree to abide by certain contribution and spending guidelines and disclosure requirements. The CEP funds are regulated and overseen by the State Elections Enforcement Commission in the Elections Division of the Secretary of the State's Office.

There will be opportunity for the public to ask questions of our guest speakers. The general public is welcome to attend and join in what should be a lively and informative discussion.

For more information about this meeting, please call 203-457-9888.