New Voting Districts Coming to Westport

WESTPORT, Conn. – Get ready for change, Westport. Effective next year, many voters will be in a different voting district than they are now. As a result, your designated polling place also may be different.

Currently, most Westport residents are represented by state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, a Democrat, in the 136th District. Residents in the Greens Farms area of Westport are represented by Democrat Kim Fawcett in the 133rd District. In 2013, Westport’s state representative districts will consist of the 143rd District, now represented by Republican Gail Lavielle, and the 136th District. Residents on the west side of town will be in the 143rd District while all others will be in District 136, including those now in the 133rd District.

There also will be a new state senate district. All of Westport currently is represented by state Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican, in the 26th District. Beginning next year, residents in the southeast portion of town will be in the 28th District, currently represented by Republican John McKinney. All other residents will remain in the 26th District.

About 3,600 residents will be affected by these changes, which are the result of the 2011 Connecticut Plan of Redistricting, the Westport Registrars’ of Voters Office announced. Postcards were mailed to households that are affected.

“If you received a bright green postcard from the Registrars’ of Voters Office, your household has been affected by these changes,” Registrars Marla Cowden and Bob Lasprogato announced in a statement. “Please pay attention to the information the postcard contains.”

Although the district changes don’t go into effect until next year, more than 1,900 Westport voters will be voting in a different polling place this year than they have in the past — beginning with the April 24 Republican Presidential Primary.

The following is a list of polling places, based on the redistricting:

? District 136-1: Saugatuck School Gym (170 Riverside Ave.)

? District 143-1: Saugatuck School Gym (170 Riverside Ave.)

? District 136-2: Coleytown Middle School Gym (255 North Ave.)

? District 136-3: Long Lots School Gym (13 Hyde Lane)

? District 136-4 & 5: Greens Farms Gym (17 Morningside Drive S.)

Residents who have questions should contact the registrars’ office at 203-341-1116 or 203-341-1117.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Westport and receive free news updates.