ATTORNEY GENERAL DELIVERS OPINION ON USE OF ELM CITY RESIDENT CARD FOR VOTING PURPOSES

(9/6/2007) NEW HAVEN- Attorney General Richard Blumenthal delivered an opinion Wednesday about the use of the Elm City Resident Cards during the electoral process. This opinion was in response to a request from Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz. Blumenthal’s response (available at: http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?A=1770&Q=394110) stated that the cards could not be used to register to vote or to demonstrate citizenship but that they can be used as a form of identification at the polls. One week before the City’s primary elections, Blumenthal’s announcement provides registered voters in the City the opportunity to use the Elm City Resident Card lieu of a utility bill or other previously used documentation.

“The Attorney General’s opinion identifies yet another use for the Elm City Resident Card. While its applicability for registered voters is useful, it’s important to remember that the principal motivation behind this program is public safety,” said Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. “This card is also a means by which all residents of the City can take advantage of the services that New Haven has to offer.”

More than 3,000 Elm City Resident Cards have been issued since the program’s July 24th launch. The first of its kind in the nation, the Elm City Resident Cards allows residents access to basic City services such as: the public library, the City’s parks, the public transfer station, recreational sites and more. The Elm City Resident Card also includes a Parcxmart feature that allows the card to be used to pay for parking meters Downtown or as a debit card at participating New Haven merchants.

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660