Stratford Election 2025 Voter Guide: Candidates, Polling Places

STRATFORD, CT — On Nov. 4, Stratford residents will cast their votes for key municipal positions, including the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning and more.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming municipal election.

Early voting details

Early voting begins Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 2. Early voting hours are: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 28 and 30.

If you are not registered, but want to vote during the early voting period, you may register in person every day of Early Voting at the early voting location. To find your Early Voting location, visit MyVote.CT.gov or call 860-509-6200.

Same day voter registration

If you are not registered, but want to vote on Election Day, you may register in person on Election Day at your Election Day Registration site People must be registered by 8 p.m. in order to vote using Election Day registration.

Absentee ballot information

To receive your absentee ballot, complete and sign an application and return it to your Town Clerk, or you can request an absentee ballot online.

Election Day polling hours and locations

Polls in Connecticut are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can use the Secretary of State’s website to find your polling place. Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Return to Patch for results as they come in. Subscribe to free local news alerts and to receive real-time election results.

Here are the candidates:

Mayor

Incumbent Republican Mayor Laura Hoydick is seeking a third term and is being challenged by Democrat David Chess.

Town Council

The Town Council district races are as follows: 1st District) Jean T. Collier, Democrat, and Thomas “Bryan” O’Connor, Republican; 2nd District) Christopher Green, Democrat, and Bonnie Lambert, Republican; 3rd District) William M. Boyd, Democrat; 4th District) Rene M. Gibson, Democrat; 5th District) Anthony Afriyie, Democrat, and Rafael Irizarry, Republican; 6th District) Philip L. Young, IV, Democrat, and Kerry L. Whitham, Republican; 7th District) Lisa Carroll Fabian, Democrat, and Patty Gallagher, Republican; 8th District) Carolann Reid, Democrat, and Carl A. Glad, Republican; 9th District) Jackie Seawright, Democrat, and George J. Zamary, III, Republican; 10th District) Karen Tracy, Democrat, and Paul T. Aurelia, Republican.

Other races

For the Board of Education, residents will vote for up to four candidates. The Democratic candidates are: Yvonne Temple, Kenneth L. Pugh, Sr., Mike Fiorello, and Kristen Zapata. The Republican candidates are: Prez Palmer, Edward "Ed" Kingston, Laura Dancho, and James J. Connor.

For the Planning Commission, in the 5th and 6th Districts, Jennifer Budai is the Democratic candidate and Earl Samerotti is the Republican. In the 7th and 8th Districts, Andrea Corcoran is the Democratic candidate and Debra Lamberti is the Republican. In the 9th and 10th Districts, Kathleen Callahan is the Democratic candidate and John Zbell is the Republican. To fill a vacancy for two years in the 3rd and 4th Districts, Claire Barber is the Democratic candidate and Ed Scinto is the Republican.

For the Zoning Commission, the candidates in the 5th and 6th Districts are Democrat Misty Percifield and Republican Alec Voccola. In the 7th and 8th Districts, Steve Taccogna is the Democratic candidate and Sarah Graham is the Republican. In the 9th and 10th Districts, Peter Carroll is the Democratic candidate and Michael F. Henrick is the Republican.

For Zoning Board of Appeals, in the 1st and 2nd Districts, Paula Sweeley is the Democratic candidate and Christopher Pia is the Republican. In the 3rd and 4th Districts, Andrea Lynch is the Democratic candidate and Casimir Mizera is the Republican. In the 5th and 6th Districts, Matthew Schlager is the Democratic candidate and Khi Samerotti is the Republican.

Residents will also vote for up to four Constables. The candidates are Democrat Laura Markis Johnson, Republicans Carol G. Cabral, Richard "Dick" Brown, Frank A. Bevacqua, Edward J. Scinto, and Independent Party candidates Judith L. Cleri and Richard T. Marcone.