Josh Elliott

Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, August 11, in municipalities where more than one candidate from the same political party has qualified for a particular office.

The primary will be preceded by seven days of early voting, through August 9. Early voting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on August 7, 8, and 9, and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 6.

In Connecticut, only registered members of a political party may vote in that party's primary. 

Connecticut has a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in a primary must enroll in a political party by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the primary (August 10), provided they have been unaffiliated for at least three months.

Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr.

For additional election information and resources, click here to visit the Secretary of the State's election webpage.

If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, you no longer need to provide a specific reason to request one for any primary or election.

Click here to access the absentee ballot request portal.

The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) Ignite Grant offers up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in Connecticut for a clearly-defined project that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth, and profitability.

Since its launch in 2020, the program has provided grants of more than $4.8 million to 519 women-owned businesses in Connecticut. In the latest grant round, 50 Ignite grants totaling $476,787 were awarded.

The application period is open through September 13.

Click here to learn more about the Ignite Grant including dates and times of upcoming information sessions.

The WBDC Child Care Business Support Program, in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified child care providers across the state. These grants help licensed and aspiring home- and center-based child care businesses cover critical start-up costs, expand operations, and increase capacity to serve more families.

Since its inception in 2020, the program has provided over $9.4 million to child care providers across Connecticut. During the latest round, more than $600,000 in grants was distributed to 50 early childhood businesses.

Start-up grants can be up to $5,000 for family homes, $10,000 for group homes, and $25,000 for centers, while expansion grants of up to $25,000 can support growth goals that create additional slots and strengthen business sustainability.

The application period is open through August 31.

Click here to learn more about Child Care Opportunity Fund.

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can click here to register for a live information session.

As our youth enjoy these summer months away from school, don't forget that nutritious meals are available at no cost to all children in the state!

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, any child 18 and under may receive meals at participating locations, no application, proof of income, or identification required.

You can use the U.S. DAG's Summer Meals Site Finder or call 2-1-1 to find participating meal sites throughout the state. Please confirm the location and meal service times before visiting to make sure you don't miss out.

Hamden High School (92040 Dixwell Avenue)

• Monday-Friday until August 7
• Breakfast 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Lunch 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Spring Glen School (1908 Whitney Avenue)

• Monday-Friday until August 7
• Breakfast 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Call 203-230-1010 with any questions.

A healthy meal is critical to a child's physical and mental development. I encourage you and your family to take advantage of this great opportunity.