JAMIE PRESTON OLMSTEAD , Register Citizen Staff

TORRINGTON -- Acknowledging that Connecticut’s voting system could use room for improvement, secretary of the state hopeful Audrey Blondin sa-id she supports the "concept" of same-day re-gistration. Blondin’s comments come days after Litchfield Republican Registrar of Voters Mary Q. Fahey asked state lawmakers not to support legislation that would allow residents to register on Election Day during a public forum held at Torrington City Hall.

"From what I have gathered talking to registrars and people involved in election process is that there is a general opposition to same day registration," said Blondin, who also attended Monday’s informational hearing. "I support the ‘concept’ of same day registration."

Unlike other states, Connecticut does not currently allow its residents to register to vote and cast ballots on Election Day.

Legislation proposed by some, including U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D), asks the state and nation to adopt uniform Election Day registration procedures.

"When I saw that Dodd is proposing a national bill that said we should have same day registration and allow voting in the days leading up to the election, I almost died," said Nan Samele, Torrington’s democratic registrar of voters. "This last presidential election was tremendously busy. To add same day registration would be chaotic."

Samele is asking lawmakers to work closely with area registrars by inviting them to witness firsthand the challenges of running a smooth Election Day operation.

"I don’t thing our legislators are willing to take a look at what the registrar office details," said Samele, who applauds Goshen Sen. Andrew Roraback, R-30, for verbally opposing the legislation. "I look at these bills and think they just don’t understand what goes into planning and carrying out an election."

Blondin said she understands the concerns of Samele and her colleagues, and pledges to remedy flawed voter registration communications if elected Connecticut’s next secretary of state.

"I’m fully aware of the concerns and the issues that the elected officials and the volunteers have with the way the system stands right now," said Blondin, who envisions a Connecticut equipped with wireless laptops simultaneously sharing voter registration information on Election Day. "They way that the system is currently set up, it needs to be worked on."

"As sec of state, I would continue to work toward that goal," Blondin said.

Jamie Preston Olmstead can be reached by e-mail at torrington@registercitizen.com.

©The Register Citizen 2005