NEW BRITAIN -- Some call it an infringement on rights while others say it's a way to cut costs.
The New Britain Common Council has authorized the Democratic and Republican Registrars of Voters to conduct a study into how much money could be saved by closing a few polling places, two of them located at The Graham and School apartment buildings. But a large rally in front of city hall called on city leaders to stop the study in its tracks.
"Looking to save a few pennies here and there, it's really missing the greater point about more democratic participation," said Representative Elizabeth Esty, Democrat for Connecticut's 5th Congressional district. "We have a long way to go to make sure everybody's vote counts."
But Mayor Erin Stewart says no plan was ever formulated and there are a variety of steps that have to be taken if such an idea was ever entertained by the Common Council.
"I don't believe this is authentic," said Stewart referring to the protest. "Right now I think this is trying to generate an issue where there currently isn't one. I certainly don't think going out and misguiding and outright lying about what it entails is the way to garner support for an issue. It's an idea. There have been no public meetings. There has been no information brought to myself or the city council. This idea was brought to us from both parties, from the Democrat and Republican registrar of voters as a bipartisan effort to save money."