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Connecticut state executive official elections, 2018

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2022
2014
Connecticut state executive official elections
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Election details
Filing deadline: June 12, 2018
Primary: August 14, 2018
General: November 6, 2018
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Connecticut
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2018
Impact of term limits in 2018
State government trifectas and triplexes
Other state executive elections

The following state executive offices were up for election in Connecticut in 2018. Click on the following links to learn more about each race:

Governor
Lieutenant governor
Attorney general
Secretary of state
Treasurer
Comptroller

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Connecticut

Ned Lamont defeated Bob Stefanowski, Oz Griebel, Rod Hanscomb, and Mark Stewart Greenstein in the general election for Governor of Connecticut on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ned Lamont
Ned Lamont (D)
 
49.4
 
694,510
Image of Bob Stefanowski
Bob Stefanowski (R)
 
46.2
 
650,138
Image of Oz Griebel
Oz Griebel (Griebel Frank for CT Party)
 
3.9
 
54,741
Rod Hanscomb (L)
 
0.4
 
6,086
Image of Mark Stewart Greenstein
Mark Stewart Greenstein (Amigo Constitution Party)
 
0.1
 
1,254
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
74

Total votes: 1,406,803
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Connecticut

Ned Lamont defeated Joe Ganim in the Democratic primary for Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ned Lamont
Ned Lamont
 
81.2
 
172,567
Joe Ganim
 
18.8
 
39,976

Total votes: 212,543
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Connecticut

Bob Stefanowski defeated Mark Boughton, David Stemerman, Tim Herbst, and Steve Obsitnik in the Republican primary for Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bob Stefanowski
Bob Stefanowski
 
29.4
 
42,041
Image of Mark Boughton
Mark Boughton
 
21.3
 
30,475
Image of David Stemerman
David Stemerman
 
18.3
 
26,177
Image of Tim Herbst
Tim Herbst
 
17.5
 
25,063
Image of Steve Obsitnik
Steve Obsitnik
 
13.4
 
19,102

Total votes: 142,858
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Lieutenant governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Susan Bysiewicz defeated Joe Markley, Monte Frank, Jeffrey Thibeault, and John Demitrus in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Susan Bysiewicz
Susan Bysiewicz (D)
 
49.4
 
694,510
Image of Joe Markley
Joe Markley (R) Candidate Connection
 
46.2
 
650,138
Monte Frank (Independent)
 
3.9
 
54,741
Jeffrey Thibeault (L)
 
0.4
 
6,086
John Demitrus (Amigo Constitution Party)
 
0.1
 
1,254
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
74

Total votes: 1,406,803
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Susan Bysiewicz defeated Eva Zimmerman in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Susan Bysiewicz
Susan Bysiewicz
 
62.2
 
130,451
Image of Eva Zimmerman
Eva Zimmerman
 
37.8
 
79,281

Total votes: 209,732
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Joe Markley defeated Erin Stewart and Jayme Stevenson in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Joe Markley
Joe Markley Candidate Connection
 
47.6
 
65,919
Image of Erin Stewart
Erin Stewart
 
32.7
 
45,307
Image of Jayme Stevenson
Jayme Stevenson
 
19.6
 
27,156

Total votes: 138,382
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Attorney general

General election

General election for Attorney General of Connecticut

William Tong defeated Susan Hatfield and Peter Goselin in the general election for Attorney General of Connecticut on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of William Tong
William Tong (D) Candidate Connection
 
52.5
 
715,340
Image of Susan Hatfield
Susan Hatfield (R) Candidate Connection
 
46.5
 
633,360
Image of Peter Goselin
Peter Goselin (G) Candidate Connection
 
1.1
 
14,358

Total votes: 1,363,058
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Connecticut

William Tong defeated Chris Mattei and Paul Doyle in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of William Tong
William Tong Candidate Connection
 
57.4
 
119,574
Image of Chris Mattei
Chris Mattei
 
25.8
 
53,822
Image of Paul Doyle
Paul Doyle
 
16.7
 
34,822

Total votes: 208,218
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Connecticut

Susan Hatfield defeated John Shaban in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Susan Hatfield
Susan Hatfield Candidate Connection
 
79.3
 
106,076
Image of John Shaban
John Shaban
 
20.7
 
27,639

Total votes: 133,715
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Secretary of state

General election

General election for Connecticut Secretary of State

Incumbent Denise Merrill defeated Susan Chapman, Mike DeRosa, and Heather Gwynn in the general election for Connecticut Secretary of State on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Denise Merrill
Denise Merrill (D)
 
55.9
 
764,067
Image of Susan Chapman
Susan Chapman (R)
 
42.5
 
580,779
Image of Mike DeRosa
Mike DeRosa (G)
 
0.9
 
12,469
Image of Heather Gwynn
Heather Gwynn (L)
 
0.8
 
10,361

Total votes: 1,367,676
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Treasurer

General election

General election for Connecticut Treasurer

Shawn Wooden defeated Thad Gray and Jesse Brohinsky in the general election for Connecticut Treasurer on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Shawn Wooden
Shawn Wooden (D)
 
55.1
 
748,091
Image of Thad Gray
Thad Gray (R)
 
43.6
 
592,811
Jesse Brohinsky (L)
 
1.1
 
15,514
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
2,196

Total votes: 1,358,612
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Connecticut Treasurer

Shawn Wooden defeated Dita Bhargava in the Democratic primary for Connecticut Treasurer on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Shawn Wooden
Shawn Wooden
 
56.8
 
116,167
Image of Dita Bhargava
Dita Bhargava
 
43.2
 
88,298

Total votes: 204,465
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Connecticut Treasurer

Thad Gray defeated Art Linares in the Republican primary for Connecticut Treasurer on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Thad Gray
Thad Gray
 
56.0
 
74,042
Image of Art Linares
Art Linares
 
44.0
 
58,087

Total votes: 132,129
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Comptroller

General election

General election for Connecticut Comptroller

Incumbent Kevin Lembo defeated Kurt Miller, Paul Passarelli, and Ed Heflin in the general election for Connecticut Comptroller on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kevin Lembo
Kevin Lembo (D)
 
55.1
 
746,806
Image of Kurt Miller
Kurt Miller (R)
 
43.2
 
585,510
Image of Paul Passarelli
Paul Passarelli (L)
 
1.0
 
13,165
Image of Ed Heflin
Ed Heflin (G)
 
0.8
 
10,360

Total votes: 1,355,841
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kevin Lembo advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut Comptroller.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Connecticut Comptroller

Kurt Miller defeated Mark Greenberg in the Republican primary for Connecticut Comptroller on August 14, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kurt Miller
Kurt Miller
 
52.4
 
68,846
Image of Mark Greenberg
Mark Greenberg
 
47.6
 
62,440

Total votes: 131,286
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Context of the 2018 elections

Party control in Connecticut

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Democrats in Connecticut gained a state government trifecta as a result of the 2010 elections, when they took control of the governor's office.

Connecticut Party Control: 1992-2025
Fifteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor I I I R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
House D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Connecticut utilizes a closed primary system, in which only registered party members may vote in a party's primary. However, Connecticut state law allows parties to decide whether unaffiliated voters can vote in their primary before each election.[1][2][3]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Connecticut, all polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Election Day. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[4]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Connecticut, one must be a U.S. citizen and Connecticut resident who is at least 17 years-old and will be 18 on or before Election Day.[5]

Registration applications can be submitted online or completed via paper forms. The deadline for mail-in applications is 18 days before an election or primary, while same-day registration is available but must be completed at designated election-day registration locations in each town.[6]

Automatic registration

Connecticut automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Connecticut has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Connecticut allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Connecticut, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Connecticut does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, if you knowingly providing false information, "you can be convicted and imprisoned for up to five years and fined up to $5,000."[7]

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[8] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site Voter Registration Lookup, run by the Connecticut Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Connecticut requires voters to present non-photo identification while voting.[9] A voter who does not present a required ID may sign an affidavit with their name, address, and date of birth, and then election officials may determine that the voter is eligible to vote.[10]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of July 2024. Click here for the Connecticut Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

First-time voters who registered by mail must present one of the following forms of identification to vote in an election with federal candidates on the ballot:

  • Copy of a current and valid photo identification with the voter’s name and address, or
  • Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows the voter’s name and address.

Other voters must present one of the following forms of identification:

  • Any re-printed form of identification that shows the voter's name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph.
  • Social security card.

Early voting

Connecticut permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Governor Ned Lamont (D) signed Public Act 23-5 into law on June 7, 2023. The law, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, implemented in-person early voting for elections occurring after January 1, 2024.[11] The length of the early voting period varies based on the type of election. Fourteen days of early voting are required for general elections, seven days are required for most primaries, and four days are required for special elections and presidential preference primaries. Each municipality was required to establish at least one early voting location.[12]

In 2022, Connecticut voters approved a legislatively referred constitutional amendment allowing the Connecticut General Assembly to pass laws providing for in-person early voting.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

Absentee voting

Connecticut voters are eligible to vote absentee/by-mail in an election if they cannot make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons:[13]

  • Active military service
  • Absence from town of residence during voting hours
  • Illness or physical disability, or role as a caregiver to another individual with illness or disability
  • Religious beliefs precluding secular activity on election day
  • Performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours

To request an absentee/mail-in ballot, a voter may complete and sign an application and return it to their town clerk, or complete an online application. Voters requesting an absentee/mail-in ballot within six days of an election must complete an emergency application.[13]

An absentee ballot must be returned either in person by close of business the day before the election or by mail. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by close of polls on election day.[13]


Past elections

2016

There were no state executive elections in Connecticut in 2016.

2014

The following elections took place in 2014.

2012

There were no state executive elections in Connecticut in 2012.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Connecticut state executive election 2018. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.


State profile

Demographic data for Connecticut
 ConnecticutU.S.
Total population:3,584,730316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):4,8423,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:77.3%73.6%
Black/African American:10.3%12.6%
Asian:4.2%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.8%3%
Hispanic/Latino:14.7%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:89.9%86.7%
College graduation rate:37.6%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$70,331$53,889
Persons below poverty level:12.2%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Connecticut.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Connecticut

Connecticut voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Connecticut, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[14]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Connecticut had one Retained Pivot County, 0.55 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.

More Connecticut coverage on Ballotpedia

See also

Connecticut State Executive Elections News and Analysis
Seal of Connecticut.png
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Connecticut State Executive Offices
Connecticut State Legislature
Connecticut Courts
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Connecticut elections: 2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links

Footnotes

  1. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 23, 2024
  2. Connecticut General Assembly, "Major Party Nominating Procedures in States With Conventions," accessed July 23, 2024
  3. Connecticut General Assembly, "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-431," accessed July 23, 2024
  4. Connecticut General Assembly, "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-174," accessed July 23, 2024
  5. Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Voting Eligibility," accessed July 23, 2024
  6. Connecticut Secretary of State, "Election Day Registration," accessed July 23, 2024
  7. Office of the Secretary of the State, "State of Connecticut Mail-in Voter Registration," accessed November 1, 2024
  8. Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  9. Connecticut Secretary of State, "FAQ Voter ID," accessed July 23, 2024
  10. General Statutes of Connecticut, "Sections 9-261," accessed November 1, 2024
  11. Connecticut General Assembly, "Public Act No. 23-5," June 7, 2023
  12. State of Connecticut, "Governor Lamont Signs Legislation Establishing Early Voting in Connecticut Elections and Primaries," June 7, 2023
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Absentee Voting Information," accessed July 23, 2024
  14. The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.