Residents encouraged to register to vote as midterm elections draw near

Organizers with the Fairfield County Community Foundation encouraged residents to register to vote as midterm elections are just six weeks away.
A voter registration breakfast was held Tuesday morning at the Darien YWCA.
The push comes as part of National Voter Registration Day because several major seats are up for grabs in November, including for governor.
Ty Skarupa, of Norwalk, says she is 50 years old and has never voted in an election.
"I didn't follow and educate myself," she says. "I feel that it is a choice now to show my daughter that we have a voice."
Skarupa registered to vote during the breakfast.
Volunteers are expected to go door-to-door, make phone calls and encourage people to register at barbecues, arts and crafts fairs and other events. They say they're hoping to reach more than 5,000 people.
Organizers also ensured under-represented groups would get their voices heard by giving 18 non-partisan organizations $1,000 each.
They say the money will be used for voter registration efforts and is part of their first annual "Get Out the Vote" initiative.
"It's important to help people understand how important their voice is," says Fairfield County Community Foundation President Juanita James. "So many people think 'It doesn't matter,' but they need to understand their vote counts!"
The YWCA in Darien also received $1,000.
"People will register, but then you have to do something with that, you have to take action and take those next steps and actually get out to the polls to vote," says Judy Phillips of the YWCA.
Residents have until Oct. 30 to register to vote in person, by mail or online. Voting registration is also possible on Election Day.
For a complete list of 'Get Out and Vote' events, click HERE.