As I get older, I begin to see both the direct and the indirect effects of my previous thinking. I recognize now the ways I have voted—and, perhaps more importantly, the times when I did not vote at all. I hold a measure of responsibility for what has happened in this country, whether I actively cast a ballot for a particular candidate or passively stepped aside. We must recognize a simple truth: even when it seems your choice doesn’t matter, mathematically, it does.

Beyond the simple arithmetic, elections are our one chance to directly affect who gets into office and what that office is going to do going forward, as far as the government is concerned. To put it bluntly, if you aren't voting, it’s because you are out of play or you have passed away. To vote is to let the government know you are alive and well. It is a declaration that you have opinions about what's going on, and those opinions either agree with the direction we are going in or they disagree.

With that being said, we have a midterm election coming up, and it is critically important that you know who is on the ballot, where to vote, and why you might vote for a particular candidate.

Who Can Vote in Connecticut Primaries?

Connecticut operates under a strictly closed primary system. This means that to vote in a specific party's primary election, you must be a registered member of that party. A registered Democrat cannot vote in the Republican primary, and a registered Republican cannot vote in the Democratic primary.

For Unaffiliated Voters:
If you are currently registered as "Unaffiliated" (meaning you belong to no political party), you cannot participate in either primary unless you officially enroll in a party. You have until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, to affiliate with either the Democratic or Republican party in order to vote in their primary the following day.

For Voters Looking to Switch Parties:
If you are already registered with a major party and wish to switch to the opposing party to vote in their primary, it is too late for this election cycle. Connecticut state law requires a three-month waiting period when switching from one major party to another. The deadline to switch your affiliation to vote in the August 11 primary was May 11, 2026.

State Executive Elections

The executive leadership of the state is heavily contested this cycle, offering voters distinctly different paths forward.

Governor of Connecticut
At the top of the ticket, incumbent Democrat Ned Lamont, 72, of Greenwich, is seeking a rare third term. He has positioned himself as a fiscal centrist and social progressive. He is being challenged from the left by Josh Elliott, a 41-year-old state Representative from Hamden. Elliott is advocating for higher taxes on top earners and expanded social spending. On the Republican side, state Senator Ryan Fazio, 36, is centering his campaign on affordability, focusing heavily on energy costs and the overall tax burden.

Lieutenant Governor
Incumbent Democrat Susan Bysiewicz faces Republican challenger Matthew Corey.

Attorney General
Incumbent Democrat William Tong is running against Republican John Bolton.

Secretary of State
Incumbent Democrat Stephanie Thomas faces Republican Peter Lumaj.

Comptroller
Incumbent Democrat Sean Scanlon is challenged by Republican Jennifer Tooker.

Treasurer
Incumbent Democrat Erick Russell faces Republican Fred Wilms.

Federal Elections

U.S. House, Connecticut District 5
The race for the 5th Congressional District features incumbent Democrat Jahana Hayes. A former history teacher from Waterbury, Hayes is seeking her fifth term and advanced to the general election after the August 11 Democratic primary was canceled.

She will face the winner of the Republican primary. The party-endorsed candidate is Chris Shea, a 55-year-old retired Navy SEAL and current firefighter in North Haven who resides in Cheshire. Shea founded Hero to Hero, a non-profit organization that encourages military veterans to consider second careers as first responders. He is being challenged by Jonathan De Barros of Plymouth. De Barros, who has worked as a mentor for at-risk youth, is running a campaign that focuses heavily on securing the border, criminal justice reform, and Second Amendment rights.

You can choose to let faith take the driver's seat and just not show up, but it's not faith that makes these decisions—it is math. As a famous hero once wrote, if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.