Please join us on October 6 at 6:00 PM in the Meeting Room of the C.H. Booth Library to hear a panel of experts discuss privacy/freedom and racial/social justice issues in the context of recent Supreme Court decisions about reproductive freedom, gun safety, voting rights/election integrity, and protecting the environment. After the panel discussion, the panelists will answer your questions.

Panelists:
Alex Copp, Esq., Cohen and Wolf, PC
Alex Copp, Esq., is a partner at Cohen and Wolf, PC, and practices civil litigation and municipal law. He has experience in constitutional law and is passionate about gun violence prevention.
Ann Gadwah, Advocacy & Outreach Organizer, Sierra Club Connecticut
Ann Gadwah has been with the Sierra Club since 2008. She is now an organizer and lobbyist, working to help implement good public policy and engage our supporters in our work. Her passions include environmental justice, ecosystem and wildlife preservation, zero waste, and outings.
Nicole Maddox, Esq., Executive Committee, Newtown Allies for Change
Nicole Maddox is an attorney with degrees in Public Policy and African & African American studies. She currently channels her passion for racial and social justice through her work in Newtown Allies for Change. Nicole is also a photographer and owner of Simply Pause Photography.
Prerna Rao, Esq., Omnia Law, LLC
Prerna Rao, Esq., is the founder of her practice, Omnia Law, LLC, which practices civil litigation and business law. She has experience with matters concerning election law, voter access, and election-related disputes, among other practice areas.

Moderator: Jillian Gilchrest represents the 18th District of West Hartford in the Connecticut General Assembly. Prior to becoming a state representative, Jillian served as the Director of Health Professional Outreach for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut, and Director of Policy & Communications for the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

This program is sponsored by the Newtown Democratic Town Committee

Privacy, Freedom and Women’s Health

Are you curious about how the Supreme Court’s recent decisions could affect you?

One of those decisions, Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health, could have a huge impact on all of us.  

State Representative Jillian Gilchrest will give us some of the history and talk about the repercussions of this momentous decision, and answer your questions.  What other privacy rights could be at risk?  What is Connecticut doing to protect access to abortion care and individual freedoms?

Please join us on Thursday September 22 from 6-7:30 PM in the Meeting Room at the C.H.Booth Library to learn more. 

Jillian Gilchrest was elected to represent the 18th District of West Hartford in the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) in 2018. Prior to becoming a state representative, Jillian served as the Director of Health Professional Outreach for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut, and Director of Policy & Communications for the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence. She has extensive experience advocating for women’s health and safety, in particular influencing public policy at the CGA. Jillian holds a Masters Degree in Social Work with a focus in Policy Practice.

Please register at our Eventbrite page!

Tuesday, August 9th is the Democratic Primary for the 2022 election. There are two offices that have primary competitions; State Treasurer and the Secretary of the State. Not sure what they do? That’s ok, take a look at the links below and get your information!

Not sure where to vote? Don’t worry, we got you! There was a redistricting this year and the polling places have changed along with the district you may be in. Confirm your information and where you are voting on August 9th and in November!

Office of the State Treasurer: Get info on the candidates: Party Endorsed Erick Russell, Karen Dubois-Walton and Dita Bhargava

The Office of the Treasurer includes an Executive Office as well as six divisions, each with specific responsibilities:, Cash Management, Debt Management, Management Services, Pension Funds Management, Second Injury Fund, and Unclaimed Property. The functions of the Treasurer’s Office are outlined below.

The Executive Office is responsible for overall policy, planning and general administration designed to:

1. Enhance the financial integrity and soundness of Treasury operations,
2. Provide direction and leadership in carrying out Treasury functions and
3. Foster economic well-being of the state and its citizens and businesses within the confines of fiduciary standards.

The Office oversees the Treasury’s corporate governance program, which was developed in accordance with its fiduciary duty to prudently manage the State’s pension assets. The Office is active in promoting environmental, social and governance best practices among the companies that comprise the public equity portfolio of the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds (“CRPTF”).

The Office also promotes financial education, serving as a catalyst and advocate for financial literacy for residents across the state. Other specific activities include legislative affairs, public information, responsible investment relations, management services, legal services, compliance, and community outreach.

The main objective of the Executive Office is to ensure that the Treasury adheres to the highest order of public values, fiscal prudence and ethics in the conduct of the people’s business. 

Office of the Secretary of State: Get info on the candidates: Party Endorsed Stephanie Thomas, and Maritza Bond

Our Vision

“Our vision is to be the leader in providing prompt quality service, increasing access to information, and promoting participation in the democratic process.”

Our Mission

Through the commitment of a knowledgeable staff and advanced technology, the Office of the Secretary of the State works as a team to provide a wide range of services for the people and businesses of Connecticut.

We are a repository of records for the State, and provide important information and resources regarding business and commercial filings, elections, and authentication as prescribed by the constitution, and federal and state laws.

We seek to support business development opportunities, and foster a more inclusive political process by educating, informing and engaging communities in youth and civic preparation.

Statutory Authority and Organization

The Secretary of the State is designated by the Constitution and General Statutes of Connecticut as the official keeper of a wide array of public records and documents.  The office is a vital source of information regarding various businesses, commercial lenders, elections, legislation, regulations and other areas, and responds to more than 600,000 requests for information annually. It also publishes, distributes and sells the State Register and Manual and other publications.

Connecticut law makes the Secretary of the State responsible for the administration of many aspects of business law including the approval of all certificates of incorporation, organization and dissolution, as well as annual and biennial reports.  Trademarks are registered here as well.  

As Commissioner of Elections for the State of Connecticut, the Secretary is charged with administering, interpreting and implementing election laws and ensuring fair and impartial elections. Pursuant to the terms of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the Secretary has the same responsibility for federal elections.

Happy to announce that we will be hosting Lt. Gov Bysiewicz on Saturday July 23rd at the Dickinson Park pavilion at noon! Come meet our Lt. Governor and get ready for the November election.

Meet and work with Capt. Tim Gavin. He is running for State Senate in district 28 that covers all of Newtown. He has been out in your neighborhood and many others getting to meet voters and discuss the issues that are impacting us all. Learn more about Capt. Tim Gavin!

Phoebe Holmes, candidate for the 107th State Representative District will also be there. The 107th covers the northern part of Newtown, which was readjusted for this election.

Stephanie Thomas, endorsed Democratic candidate for Secretary of State is also coming. We all understand how critically important this office is these days!

Come join us, bring your walking shoes as we will break up into small groups and go knock on some doors and talk to voters and get them energized for this fall!

Please register on Eventbrite so that we can make sure we have enough food to get your energy going!

Can’t make it, but would like to help out? You can donate here!

Newtown Democrats had a busy few days. First we went to the state convention to endorse the state constitutional candidates. We were very excited to cast all of our votes for Erick Russell for treasurer. In case you were not aware, he is married to our own Chris Lyddy, who served multiple terms as our State Representative!

We were also proud to endorse the amazing Jahana Hayes for a third term in the US Congress!

Then we met again to endorse Tim Gavin to run for the CT State Senate, to represent us in Hartford.

Its going to be a busy summer and fall!

Newtown Democratic Party Caucus

Monday, January 10th, 2022.  6:30 PM

Alexandria Room, Edmond Town Hall

MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO BE WORN AT ALL TIMES

1. Voter check-in starts 6:15 pm. 
2. Call Caucus to order by Temporary Chair 
3. Salute to the Flag
4. Temporary Chair Appoints Temporary Secretary
5. Temporary Secretary reads caucus notice 
6. Election of a permanent Chair
7. Election of a permanent Secretary 
8. Adoption of Rules  – Nominations by slate, floor nominations allowed, nominees must accept nomination.
9. Nominations of the slate and floor nominations
10. Election
11. Announcement of results
12. Adjourn

To enrolled members of the Democratic Party of the Town of: Newtown, Connecticut

Pursuant to the Rules of the Democratic Party and State election laws, you are 

hereby notified that a caucus will be held on:

January 10th, 2022, at 6:30 pm, at Edmond Town Hall, Alexandria Room.  45 Main St, Newtown CT

to endorse candidates for the Democratic Town Committee and to transact other business as may be proper to come before said caucus. Masks are required to be worn, regardless of vaccination status.

Dated at Newtown, Connecticut, on January 4, 2022

Democratic Town Committee of Newtown

Eric Paradis

The State House of Representatives district map has been redrawn.

They are posted at the Secretary of the State’s website.
The State Democratic Party has released a more interactive map to check out!
There are three layers, which you can toggle on and off: The new districts, the new districts showing incumbents, and town boundaries. 

State Senate has been completed as of 11/23/21. Check out the new State Senate Districts!

So some changes in both spaces. Newtown’s State Representatives will now only be 2 people, one in the 106th district, which holds most of Newtown and then our northern part of town which will be part of the 107th district with Brookfield.

We are no longer a part of the 2nd District, which has been admirably represented by Raghib Allie-Brennan from Bethel and the small part of Newtown by Monroe which was part of the 112th district is now part of the 106th as well.

In the State Senate, for Newtown, nothing changed. The entire town is still part of the 28th Senate District. That district is now all of Fairfield, Easton, Newtown and part of Bethel. We are no longer with a part of Westport and Weston.