Rob Partridge cast an early vote for Democratic gubernatorial challenger Josh Elliott on Tuesday morning — citing a desire for more progressive economic policy as motivating his support for incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont’s opponent.
“I’d like to see the wealthier taxed proportionally to what they make, so that the infrastructure and the social safety nets that people rely on are well funded,” Partridge said at City Hall. “I think that’s the only way to take care of our community and our neighbors who need the help, and to make sure that everyone’s being taxed fairly.”
Partridge cast his ballot at City Hall Tuesday of the second day of early voting in the Aug. 11 Democratic primaries.
Democratic Registrar of Voters Shannel Evans told the Independent that a total of 117 New Haveners voted on the first day of early voting on Monday — 83 at City Hall and 34 at 1 Wintergreen Ave. on Southern Connecticut State University’s (SCSU) campus. Head Moderator Kevin Arnold said that another 17 voters had cast ballots at City Hall as of Tuesday morning.
The five early voters the Independent spoke with at City Hall on Tuesday were all focused on the gubernatorial primary instead of the state rep races. They cited economic fairness and progressive tax policy among their top concerns, even when they landed on opposite candidates.
Lisa Angelica, who didn’t name a specific candidate she is supporting, raised similar concerns as Partridge about economic inequality, tracing what she described as an unfair tax structure back to changes made under President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.
“The rich get away with not paying their fair share, and they can afford it, but they have all the different tax loopholes,” she said, arguing that some millionaires pay a lower effective tax rate than working professionals like teachers. “A lot of people who are millionaires are paying like 8 percent income tax, whereas the working school teacher is paying 20 to 25 percent.”
Notably, even voters who ultimately backed different candidates in the gubernatorial primary often described similar underlying values.
Ellen Urban, who said she voted for Lamont, cited many of the same economic concerns as Partridge, such as housing, healthcare, and cost of living — even as she settled on the opposite candidate.
“The money problems that we have are still a little insurmountable, but I have more faith in him to tackle healthcare for everybody,” she said. She also pointed to Lamont’s posture toward federal immigration enforcement. “Standing up to ICE was a big one for me.”
Jennifer Wells-Jackson also voted for Lamont, pointing to his work ethic and track record over the past several years in office.
“He’s actually on the job, doing the work that is required,” she said, citing food insecurity among children and rising electricity bills as issues she’s watching closely.
Tamara Belmonte said her vote came down to a candidate’s integrity and alignment with her values, rather than any single issue.
“It’s if you’re not corrupt, if they believe in the same things that I do, which is less for billionaires and more for working people,” she said.
For several voters, the decision to vote early was simply a matter of scheduling. Urban and Wells-Jackson both said they’ll be out of town on primary election day on Aug. 11. Belmonte, on vacation this week, said she wanted to get her vote “out of the way.” Partridge said the City Hall location’s proximity to his home and workplace made it an easy stop. Angelica said she appreciates the flexibility early voting offers after once waiting nearly an hour in line at her regular polling place.
“This way, it’s just nice and easy and convenient,” she said. “I really, really appreciate that we have this now.”
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