So I was thrilled when so many people turned up for the EDR forum.   It didn't have anything to do with the 2008 race, and yet folks showed interest and commitment to staying around and working on an issue that, while not headline news, is none the less so important to making sure every citizen can exercise their right to vote.  In states that have passed EDR, voting participation goes up 10 - 15%.  It is especially useful for the poor, who tend to move frequently, and the elderly and disabled, for whom a trip to Town Hall can be a challenge.  For young people able to vote for the first time, EDR allows them to do so, even if they forgot or were too busy to register ahead of time.

Alec Knopp, former Mayor of Norwalk and current Executive Director of Dwight Hall, and Ned Lamont, former candidate for U.S. Senate, started us off with introductory remarks and then passed the torch to the panel of experts.  State Senator Gayle Slossberg, State Representative James Spallone, Regina Eaton of DEMOS, and Registrar of Voters, LeReine Frampton led a rousing discussion of the ins and outs of EDR.  The information that Connecticut successfully passed EDR a few years ago, only to have it vetoed by then Governor Rowland, was news to many in the audience.  The panel was peppered with well thought out questions about the feasibilty of EDR, the probability of fraud (very low), and the worries of overwhelming the Registrars with work.  Our speakers knew their stuff, and handled the questions well, which lead to a really good and productive discussion.  Suggestions were made for more forums like this to be held around the state, as well as sessions with Registrars from all over Connecticut to address their concerns and get their buy in.

While I would have loved to see 100 people attend - 40 on a busy Tuesday night was a great start.  It looks like I've got my work cut out for me so that we can get more of these forums and discussion sessions going all over Connecticut.  Good thing it's a small state!