It's Time to Register for the August 14th Primaries

Denise Merrill

Secretary of the State

Connecticut

Merrill: Voter Registration Deadlines for August 14^th Primaries Fast Approaching

Secretary of the State Reminds Eligible Voters Who Want to Cast a Primary Ballot they Have One Week to Register as Democrats or Republicans by Mail

Hartford:  Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today is reminding eligible voters who want to cast a ballot in the upcoming statewide primaries on August 14, 2012 that voter registration deadlines are fast approaching.  Anyone wishing to cast a ballot on August 14^th must register as a Democrat or a Republican by Monday, August 13^th in-person at their town offices. Mail in registration forms must be received no later than Thursday August 9^th in order to be processed before the primaries. Also, registration forms delivered to town offices by anyone other than the voter must be turned in no later than August 9^th in order for those voters to be eligible to cast primary ballots.  Voters can check online at www.sots.ct.gov to see if they are registered to vote and where their polling place is located, as well as download voter registration forms and applications for absentee ballots.  Absentee ballots for the primary are available now and will be counted as long as they are received by town clerks by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday August 14^th.

“The 2012 Statewide Primary Elections are rapidly approaching on Tuesday, August 14^th,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “I am reminding all eligible, non-registered voters to register either in person or by mail so they can take part in deciding the candidates for the November General Elections. Come out to the polls and let your voice be heard!  Only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote, so if you are unaffiliated you must enroll with a major party by Monday August 13^th at noon in order to cast a primary ballot.”

Nearly 2,000,000 Connecticut citizens are registered to vote. Almost 50,000 voters are newly registered since January 1^st, 2012.  In that same time, more than 6,100 unaffiliated voters have registered with a major party to be eligible to vote in the primaries, with 3,407 becoming Democrats and 2,705 affiliating as Republicans.  More than 2,500 17 year-old voters have also registered to vote so far this year, and are eligible to vote in the statewide primary so long as they will turn 18 by the November 6^th general election.  Polls will be open statewide for Registered Democrats and Republicans on Tuesday August 14, 2012 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The list of at least 24 primaries taking place in the state of Connecticut can be found below (endorsed candidates are indicated by *):

Office	Party	Candidate
United States Senator	Republican	*Linda E. McMahon
		Christopher Shays
United States Senator	Democratic	*Christopher S. Murphy
		Susan Bysiewicz
Representative in Congress – 2	Republican	*Paul M. Formica
		Daria Novack
Representative in Congress – 5	Republican	*Andrew Roraback
		Justin Bernier
		Lisa Wilson Foley
		Mark Greenberg
Representative in Congress – 5	Democratic	*Chris Donovan
		Elizabeth Esty
		Dan Roberti
State Senate – 19	Democratic	*Tom Reynolds
		Catherine A. Osten
State Senate – 23	Democratic	*Ernest E. Newton II
		Andres Ayala, Jr.
		Edwin A. Gomes
State Senate – 33	Democratic	*James Crawford
		Mary Ellen Klinck
Assembly District – 3	Democratic	*Minnie Gonzalez
		Victor M. Luna, Jr.
Assembly District – 5	Democratic	*Leo Canty
		Brandon McGee
		Donald Trinks
Assembly District – 6	Democratic	*Edwin Vargas, Jr.
		Hector Luis Robles
Assembly District – 13	Democratic	*Joe Diminico
		Tom Gullotta
Assembly District – 35	Democratic	*Tom Vicino
		Tony A. Palermo
Assembly District – 58	Democratic	*Kathy Tallarita
		David Alexander
Assembly District – 63	Democratic	*Michael J. Renzullo
		Doug Bendetto
Assembly District – 75	Democratic	*Victor Cuevas
		Davis Aldarondo
Assembly District – 91	Democratic	*John P. Flanagan
		Michael C. D’Agostino
Assembly District – 107	Republican	*Harold A. Shaker
		David A. Scribner
Assembly District – 116	Democratic	*Louis P. Esposito, Jr.
		David C. Forsyth
Assembly District - 128	Democratic	*Christina M. Ayala
		Angel Reyes
Assembly District – 132	Democratic	*Sue Brand
		Kevin Coyner
Hamden – Bethany Probate District	Democratic	*Craig B. Henrici
		Edward C. Burt, Jr.
Registrar of Voters - Hartford	Republican	*Salvatore A. Bramante
		Nyesha C. McCauley
Registrar of Voters – Hartford	Democratic	*Ramon L. Arroyo
		Olga Iris Vazquez

Av Harris

Director of Communications

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill

(860) 509-6255 ofc

(860) 463-5939 cell

av.harris@ct.gov

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Secretary Merrill, AG Jepsen Announce $1.3 Million in Penalties Against Businesses Operating without Legal Authority in CT

HARTFORD: Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that during Fiscal Year 2011, a joint effort by their offices resulted in the collection of more than $1.3 million in fines from out-of-state companies operating in Connecticut without legal authority to transact business. The penalties collected during FY 2011 were paid by nearly 330 out-of-state firms, and represents the highest such figure since 2007, when more than $1.7 Million in fines were collected.

“It is hard enough for Connecticut businesses to make a profit in this economic climate, without unfair competition from out-of-state companies who fail to register with the state,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s Chief Business Registrar. “We have heard from Connecticut companies who are being undercut by outside firms who escape accountability by not obtaining a certificate of authority from our office to do business here. This needs to stop. We hope these fines send a deterrent message, as well as improve accountability for Connecticut consumers. Connecticut businesses should also know that we will do whatever we can to ensure fair competition in the marketplace. ”

Attorney General George Jepsen agreed, “As Attorney General, it is my responsibility to ensure a level playing-field for all businesses. Each year, many out-of-state businesses choose to violate the law in order to gain unfair advantages. Today, we are sending a message to those businesses. Connecticut is open for businesses that operate honestly and in good faith. We will continue to vigorously enforce the law in order to crack down on unfair competition in the marketplace.”

Under state law, business corporations, nonstock corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and statutory trusts formed outside of Connecticut must obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in Connecticut by registering with the Secretary of the State’s Office and paying the statutorily established fee. More than 50,000 of these foreign entities have properly filed with the Secretary of the State’s Office.

The requirement to obtain authority to do business exists to protect domestic organizations from unfair competition and place domestic and foreign organizations on an equal footing. The law also protects consumers with a grievance against an out-of state firm by requiring businesses to appoint an agent for service of process in Connecticut to accept legal papers if court action is taken. Companies that violate the law face a fine of $300 for every month the company is transacting business in Connecticut without legal authority. In addition, some companies are required to pay the annual license fee required by statute for years they should have been registered with the Secretary of the State’s office.

The joint, multi-year enforcement effort between the offices of the Attorney General and Secretary of the State in Connecticut has aggressively pursued thousands of delinquent out-of-state businesses, bringing legal action when necessary. During FY 2011 this joint effort recovered $1,313,104.13 in fines from 328 out-of-state companies for violating the statutory requirement to register with the state. As a part of a legal settlement with the Attorney General’s office, each of the companies that paid a penalty and continues to transact business in Connecticut is now in full compliance with the law. Fines and penalties collected from each business in FY 2011 range from $40.00 to more nearly $27,000.

The five largest settlements came from:

1. DAN Services, Inc. $26,955.00 NC

2. The Providence Journal Company $22,192.50 RI

3. Global Med Technologies, Inc. $20,910.00 CO

4. Harris Environmental Systems, Inc. $20,842.50 MA

5. Superior Technical Resources, Inc. $20,685.00 NY

Secretary Merrill added, “Through this enforcement action the Attorney General and I are sending a clear message to any company thinking of making a quick buck and operating illegally in Connecticut: we will fine you and we will publicize the name of your business if you try to skirt the law. We have zero tolerance for business practices that take advantage of Connecticut consumers and or businesses who do play by the rules.”

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President Paulette Scarpetti, said, “I don’t know why any company would choose not to register with the Secretary of the State’s Office. There is no reason why any company or individual should be doing business illegally in the State of Connecticut.”

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Crean represented the Attorney General in these matters, working with Staff Attorney William Silk from the Secretary of the State’s Office.