By Colleen Gundlach

Norfolk and its two rural neighbors, Colebrook and North Canaan, voted differently from each other in this year’s election. The differences among the neighboring communities are worth comparing.

Donald Trump carried North Canaan, where he garnered 52 percent of the vote compared to 48 percent for Kamala Harris. He also won in Colebrook by a margin of 57 percent to 42 percent for Harris. Norfolk residents voted differently. The town cast 62 percent of its votes for Harris compared to 36 percent for Trump. Although Harris carried Connecticut, Trump was elected president.

In the U.S. Senate race, Christopher Murphy won in Norfolk and North Canaan, with 66 percent of the vote in Norfolk to 34 percent for Matthew Corey; and 53 percent to Corey’s 46 percent in North Canaan. Colebrook’s voters landed in Corey’s column, with 55 percent of the voters endorsing him to 45 percent for Murphy. Murphy carried the state.

The Fifth District race for U. S House of Representatives went to Jahana Hayes in both Norfolk, with 64 percent of the votes, and North Canaan, with 52 percent. Unlike Norfolk and North Canaan, Colebrook is in the First District, where voters gave their nod to Jim Griffin at 54 percent over John Larson at 45 percent. Larson won re-election.

This year’s November election was unique in that it was the first time Connecticut allowed early voting in a presidential election. The polls were open from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3.  The Registrars of Voters in all three towns were very active this season. records. In Norfolk, 35 percent of the town’s registered voters voted early. In North Canaan it was 25 percent and in Colebrook 32 percent.

The constitutional amendment to allow no-excuse absentee ballots was approved statewide by 58 percent of voters. The approval enables the state legislature to vote on legislation to allow the state constitution to be amended to allow for absentee ballots to be utilized upon request of the voter.