Special Election for First Selectman
- Laura Devlin
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Dear Fairfielders,
In this update:
The Case for a Special Election
Fairfield faces a pivotal choice following the loss of our First Selectman. The Board of Selectmen has not appointed a successor within the Charter’s 30-day window, meaning state law now gives a small group of party insiders the power to choose our next leader, unless we act. Voters have the right to petition for a special election, but we have just 15 days to gather enough signatures. This edition explains why the people, not political insiders, should decide, and how you can help make that happen.Â
Read more in detail below
The First Selectman's seat is open, democracy means a special election. |
Dear Fairfielders,
As we mourn the tragic loss of our First Selectman, Fairfield must now decide who will step into this critical leadership role. Under our Town Charter, the remaining members of the Board of Selectmen, Selectmen Kupchick and Vitale, have 30 days (until July 14) to appoint a successor. If they do not, the process shifts to state statute, which permits a small group of party insiders to choose the replacement. At the same time, that same statute also gives voters the right to petition for a special election, putting the decision back in the hands of the people.Â
Thirty days have passed; a successor has not been appointed. Â We cannot leave this decision to just a few insiders; the time for a Special Election is now.Â
Why the Voters Should Decide Their Next First Selectman
1. Direct Representation Is the Cornerstone of Democracy
The First Selectman is Fairfield’s highest elected official, with broad authority over the town's budget, public safety, operations, and long-term planning. A vacancy in this position significantly alters the leadership dynamic. Filling it solely through appointment, without public input, shifts the decision from the thousands of voters who call Fairfield home to a small group of insiders. A special election puts the choice back where it belongs: in the hands of the people.
2. The State Statute Exists to Protect Voter Choice
Connecticut law allows towns to hold special elections for precisely these situations, preventing a leadership vacuum and maintaining public trust. This is not an extraordinary or disruptive measure; it’s a safeguard specifically provided by the legislature to ensure accountability to voters, not to party caucuses or behind-the-scenes negotiations.
3. Public Confidence in Government Depends on Transparency
Without a public vote, the perception of backroom deals or favoritism erodes trust. Citizens are sidelined during a critical leadership transition. By contrast, a special election is open, transparent, and fair; every eligible voter has the chance to weigh in.
4. The Cost Is an Investment in Democratic Legitimacy
Yes, a special election may carry a short-term cost, but the long-term value of preserving public faith in our local democracy is far greater. Holding a special election alongside Fairfield's November municipal elections would minimize expenses. Leaders chosen directly by voters have a stronger mandate to act decisively, and public engagement remains strong. Skipping a special election to cut costs risks fostering mistrust and civic apathy, which are far more costly in the long run.
5. Fairfield’s Decision Will Set a Precedent
How we handle this vacancy will shape expectations for years to come. Choosing a special election affirms our community’s commitment to self-government, reinforcing the unanimous decision of the Board of Selectmen to seek Charter reform, so that future vacancies on the Board trigger an automatic election within clear legislative deadlines.
We the People Have a Choice to Make
Democracy works best when the people, not a handful of party insiders, choose their leaders, especially for the top executive role in town. We, the people, not only have legal authority but also a moral obligation to exercise the state statute that allows for a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of First Selectman. Doing so ensures that our town’s leader enters office with a clear mandate from us, not political insiders, and that Fairfield remains true to its democratic principles.
In this moment, Fairfield can either consolidate power in the hands of a few or place it back in the hands of the people. The choice should be clear: let the voters decide.
Stand Up for Voter Choice. Sign the Special Election PetitionÂ
To call for a special election, we must collect signatures from 5% of Fairfield’s registered voters within just 15 days. This requires a special petition, and we need your help to make it happen.
You can get involved by:
Circulating a petition among friends, neighbors, and colleagues
Helping at signature collection drives (locations to be announced)
Signing the petition yourself
Please note: signatures must be collected in the old-fashioned way, an actual signature on a paper petition form, not electronically.
If you’re willing to help collect signatures, or if you simply want to sign the petition, email us at fairfieldpetition@gmail.com for more information.
Every signature matters.
We hope you find this information helpful. Please contact us at rtc@fairfieldrtc.com with any questions, we always welcome hearing from you.Â
Sincerely,Â
Laura M. Devlin
RTC Chair
Mike Grant
RTC Vice Chair