Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy started his day Tuesday at the Hartford Seminary where he cast a vote in a Democratic state senate primary with his wife, Cathy, before heading down to New Haven to do some campaigning.
Malloy, who is seeking a second term in November, was mum on his choice between state Sen. Eric Coleman, Hartford Council President Shawn Wooden, and Len Walker of Windsor.
“Votes are private,” Malloy said.
Malloy said he’s doesn’t have a favorite opponent in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Republican voters will decide Tuesday whether Sen. John McKinney or Tom Foley, the 2010 Republican nominee, will challenge Malloy in November.
“I’m just happy we’re going to cut the Republican field in half,” Malloy said.
Malloy is expected to head to New Haven later today where Democratic voters far outnumber Republicans.
There are 2,424 Republicans in the Elm City and 48,166 Democrats. This year there is no Democratic primary in New Haven, which means the polls will be open for the 2,424 Republican voters. It will cost the city $40,000 to open and staff the 30 polling locations, according to the New Haven Independent.
In 2012, Malloy vetoed legislation that would have given local registrars discretion over how many polling locations were opened. The bill gave local election officials 60 days to announce polling place consolidation efforts.
Asked Tuesday about the veto, Malloy said what you don’t want to have happen in Connecticut, which has happened in places like Florida, where voters are forced to stand in line for more than eight hours to cast their vote.
“You try to make laws and decisions for the long haul to protect people’s rights and sometimes that may be an inconvenience,” Malloy said.
He said he understands it would help municipalities save money, but it has the potential to undermine a person’s right to vote.
After stopping in New Haven this afternoon, Malloy is expected to return to the residence in Hartford where he will watch the election returns and find out who will challenge him in November.