Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today announced that a Special Election to fill the legislative seat left vacant by death of State Representative Faith McMahon in the 15th Assembly district will be held on Tuesday March 24, 2009. Secretary Bysiewicz was notified about the vacancy by the Bloomfield Town Clerk on Wednesday January 28th and was subsequently reported to the Governor’s office. Governor M. Jodi Rell issued the Writ of Special Election today and by law that election must take place within 46 days. The 15th Assembly district covers parts of Bloomfield and Windsor.
“Faith McMahon represented her constituents so ably, and I am deeply saddened by her passing,” said Secretary Bysiewicz. “Though no one can truly replace Faith, voters in the 15th district will now have a chance to choose her successor in the General Assembly.”
Republicans and Democrats in the 15th Assembly District have until Tuesday February 17th to endorse a candidate for the seat. Anyone wishing to run as a petitioning candidate must gather at least 126 signatures, equal to 1% of the total votes cast in the last election for the 15th district, and turn them into Secretary Bysiewicz’s office by Friday February 13th . Candidates running for office will be eligible to receive public campaign financing provided they meet the qualification requirements under state law. Any eligible voters in the 15th district have until Tuesday March 10th to register to vote in the special election. Absentee ballots for the 15th district special election will be available to voters beginning on Friday February 20th .