In the upcoming November election (and the budget referendum in April), do you know where your polling place is located? The lines have moved in districts 3 and 4 following a state mandated redistricting, and a Monday, March 5 public hearing will give residents a chance to ask questions before the mandate is formally adopted by the town.

The public hearing has been set for 7:30 p.m. on March 5 at the Community Center to receive public comment on the Ordinance to Amend the Code of the Town of Guilford Chapter 24, Elections.

"Every 10 years as a result of the U.S. Census the state goes through a redistricting effort to try to align and balance the different representative districts and the different state senatorial districts," Registrar Louise Graver said. "The state legislature in Hartford examined all of the current districts based upon the new census figures and decided where there's an imbalance that needs to be corrected."

Graver estimated that the shift affects about 400 voters between the two districts. About 100 of those residents from District 3 are now in District 4 and approximately 300 people from District 4 shifted into District 3. The change is effective immediately. The polling place for District 3 is the Guilford Fire Headquarters and for District 4 is Melissa Jones Elementary School.

All residents involved have already been notified of the change through letters in the mail. Those who reside in districts 1, 2, and 5 are not affected by the reorganization.

"There were over 400 letters sent out so they have been notified. If you did not receive a letter from our office and think you should, have please call us" at 203-453-8028, Graver said.

This change will not only affect the November elections, but will also impact the April referendum. The Board of Selectmen will also set a referendum date sometime in March.

If unsure if your street is affected, visit Guilford's website www.ci.guilford.ct.us and click on the Registrar of Voters tab under Town Departments. On the left hand side, click on Voting District Street List/Polling Location for a complete breakdown of the districts.