Democracy alive and well in Falls Village

FALLS VILLAGE — Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas visited Falls Village Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 30, to bestow upon the town the Municipal Democracy Challenge Cup for the best voter turnout (68.7%) in the small town category in the 2023 election.

Keen questioning from Lou Timolat elicited the fact that Falls Village’s turnout was, in fact, the best in the state.

First Selectman Dave Barger thanked Thomas for the recognition and the town’s election officials for their efforts.

Thomas told the crowd of some 40 people that the voter turnout award has been around for about 25 years, but was given out in even-numbered years, when Connecticut holds state and federal elections.

She decided to expand the award to municipal elections as well.

The original cups were donated by a private citizen of some means, and were large and expensive, Thomas said.

That meant towns had to give them back after their two years were up, to pass on to the next winner.

This is not the case with the more modest cups given out this year.

“You get to keep these,” Thomas said with a grin.