A rumble for registrar; Primary pits Gardner against Arbisi

Should Wilton’s Republicans stay the course with Tina Gardner, or should they infuse new blood into town hall and send Mary Arbisi to the registrar’s office?

Next Tuesday, the question will be answered in a primary — the first of its kind in Wilton to elect a registrar.

Ms. Gardner, who’s lived in town for 33 years and has served as Wilton’s Republican registrar since 1997, is seeking her eighth term. Ms. Arbisi, a pre-school teacher who has lived in Wilton for 16 years, was endorsed by the Republican Town Committee and is seeking office for the first time.

Both candidates were interviewed by The Bulletin earlier this week.

When asked what attracts her to the job, Ms. Gardner said she has adapted with the job over the years and has a handle on the registrar’s duties, which are ever-changing.

“I think it attracts me because it’s challenging,” Ms. Gardner said. “I am aware and knowledgeable about the job. I feel I can continue doing a great job. I value the idea that when people walk into my office they’re treated equally no matter what party they register with or if they don’t affiliate at all.”

Ms. Arbisi was asked the same question.

“What attracts me to the job ... is the opportunity of being one of the first people newcomers to town meet,” she said. “I remember when I moved into Wilton how difficult it was to find my way around town, so I can empathize with them. I intend to reach out to these newcomers, not wait for them to find the registrars’ office.”

The two candidates were then asked why they would make a better registrar.

“I have the experience and the knowledge, I have the training and I’ve also helped train at the state level,” Ms. Gardner said. “I have the confidence of the [Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut] and the secretary of the state dealing with audits which can happen after any election or primary.”

Ms. Arbisi said in addition to her 20 years of experience in retail where she was trained in customer service, management and financial reporting, her involvement in the RTC is important for being registrar.

“I am involved in the Republican Town Committee and the Republican Women of Wilton,” Ms. Arbisi said. “The position we are running for is Republican registrar of voters. Obviously, I was selected for the position because I have the majority support of the RTC and local and state-elected Republicans.”

Ms. Gardner was a member of the RTC until 2008. Earlier this year, she said she stepped down in anticipation of a busy election season and thought it was time to let new people join the 40-person committee. Ms. Arbisi joined the RTC in 2008, according to the committee’s Web site.

Ms. Gardner said the registrars’ proverbial handbook is always in flux.

“Things are constantly changing — you do need training, especially when they introduce new voting equipment,” said Ms. Gardner, who helped oversee the town’s transition from lever voting machines to optical-scan voting technology. “If you’re a registrar, it really helps if you’ve had experience at the polls. You have to be impartial at the polls, not in any way representing any party. But you still learn new things — the laws change, and you have to interpret them.”

Ms. Arbisi said the state trains registrars, and she has experience in registrar-related areas.

“I have served as ballot clerk, voting machine tester and poll worker,” she said. “I am a very hard worker, with a high energy level and an unending interest in acquiring new skills.”

The fact the RTC decided to endorse Ms. Arbisi has caused quite a stir in Wilton, as evident in the number of letters to The Bulletin commenting on the registrar primary. Both candidates were asked whether the job of a registrar should be impartial or not.

“It’s a nonpartisan job in the office. When I was working with the RTC, I was careful not to be going out there and do anything for specific candidates. What I did was behind the scenes,” Ms. Gardner said. “It’s a fine line, and when you cross it, you can be violating the law. That’s very important to me and most registrars. Our office has never been fined in any of our elections, so we have a very good reputation in the state.”

Ms. Arbisi said the selection of a registrar is a partisan process, as stated by the president of the League of Women Voters.

“The office should be manned part time by a Democrat registrar and part time by a Republican registrar,” Ms. Arbisi said. “They should work as a cohesive unit together to ensure that all voters’ rights are protected. The job itself is to serve the community in a nonpartisan way. Tina Gardner, by removing herself from everything Republican in town, has lost the confidence of the RTC and current elected Republican officials.”

George Cody, the Democratic registrar of voters in New Canaan, e-mailed The Bulletin regarding Ms. Gardner.

“Tina’s service to the voters of Connecticut and Wilton in particular can be best exemplified in the successful switch to the new voting technology and equipment,” he wrote. “Along with her fellow Wilton registrars, Tina has maintained strict impartiality in the office, while at the same time representing her party.”

Mr. Cody wrote that whomever the Republicans select as their candidate for registrar, “Tina Gardner deserves the thanks of all Wilton voters.”

Earlier this year, Mr. Alper praised Ms. Arbisi.

“Mary has been a terrific example of what the Republican Party is all about,” he said. “She has volunteered for the last several election cycles to avail herself of the responsibilities and duties required of a Republican registrar. When positions were not available, Mary volunteered as a poll watcher for the party. She has demonstrated a personal commitment and work ethic to the position, and to the Republican community that is remarkable and much appreciated.”

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