DePalma's Camp To Force Primary For Democratic Mayoral Candidate

There will be a primary in East Haven on Tuesday, September 10 to decide which Democrat in town will be the candidate for Mayor on the November ticket: Jack Stacey, the DTC's endorsed candidate following their July 16 caucus, or Gary DePalma. 

Town Clerk Stacy Gravino-Piccirillo confirmed that the paperwork and signatures necessary to force a primary are in order from the DePalma camp. 

See below for more information about voting in the primary.

The following information is from a press release from Gary DePalma: 

East Haven Town Councilperson and retired Police Sgt. Gary DePalma has forced a Primary for the right to be the Democratic Party’s challenger in November’s election.

Serving as opposition to Chairman Gene Ruocco’s strong-hold on the Democratic Town Committee (DTC), East Haven Town Councilperson and retired Police Sgt. Gary DePalma has collected the required number of signatures to force a Democratic Party Primary in September.  According to the East Haven Registrar of Voters office, DePalma was required to collect signatures from 5% of the town’s registered Democrats, or approximately 275 people, to force the matter to town-wide vote. Over 300 signatures were gathered within 6 days from public announcement of the effort and submitted to the Registrar of Voters office on Tuesday, July 30th.

In addition, twenty-four candidates who withdrew their names from consideration during the Democratic Town Committee’s July 16th caucus, have also met the signature requirements, filed the necessary paperwork and plan to run exclusively on the slate supported by DePalma. 

DePalma believes this effort represents a resounding victory for East Haven taxpayers. “Clearly, Mr. Ruocco failed to convince fellow Democrats that his hand-picked slate would offer a sharp contrast to the Maturo Administration, and improve their quality of life. People see their collective hold on Town government for what it is; an avenue to support private interests on the backs of hard-working taxpayers,” said DePalma. “The decision to move the Democratic Party forward is now where it should be; with the people who pay the bills,” remarked DePalma. 

All candidates running on the DePalma 2013 slate will appear on the same line when Democrats go to the polls in September. DePalma continued, “I’m honored to run alongside a slate of candidates dedicated to making positive change in our community. The response we’ve received has been tremendous. We believe in what we’re trying to accomplish. People in East Haven know ethics, integrity & hard work count for something. That’s exactly what taxpayers will get from us.”

• You must be a registered Democrat to vote in this primary
• If you are currently registered un-affiliated, you can enroll in the Democratic party by noon on Sept. 9.  
• You cannot change your enrollment from a major party (such as the Republican party) to another major party (such as the Democratic party) before Sept. 10 as the deadline to do so has passed.
• If you are a new voter, you can register to vote by mail five days before the primary, or Sept. 5.  After that date, you need to come to East Haven Town Hall Registrars of Voters offices (lower level) to register to vote. You can register in person by Sept. 9 at noon to vote in the primary.  The Registrars of Voters offices are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
• Voting will take place from 6am to 8pm on Sept. 10 at all five voting districts and the two sub-districts. 
• Absentee ballots will be available beginning Aug. 20. Please call the town clerk's office at 203-468-3201 to request an application or come to their offices at town hall.