Statewide voter turnout in Connecticut’s local elections peaked at 35.9% this year, the highest participation rate since at least 2017, according to data from the Secretary of the State
But that surge was far from evenly distributed, with larger Connecticut’s cities showing far lower numbers of voters heading to the polls — particularly those without a mayoral election.
Hartford and Bridgeport recorded turnout rates below 5%, while Waterbury was under 17%. The mayors in all three have four-year terms and were elected in 2023.
In Hartford, only the Board of Education was up for a vote. In Bridgeport and Waterbury, the Board of ,Education, city council and board of aldermen were on the ballot.
But New Haven and Stamford, which held mayoral races this year, reported higher turnouts than two years ago. New Haven’s turnout reached 26%, edging past the 2023 election. Stamford hit 33%—down from the 40% recorded in its last mayoral race in 2021, and still below the statewide average.
Small towns registered strong participation levels in 2025, especially in where a close race was expected. In 17 towns, more than 50% of eligible voters cast ballots.
Lyme led the state with 66% turnout, followed by Bridgewater at 62.9%, Woodbridge at 61.8% and Old Lyme at 60.5%.
There are still 8 towns with data that has not been uploaded to the Secretary of the State’s website and the final numbers may be updated.
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This story has been updated