In every municipal election, the results don’t just determine who serves on Thomaston’s boards — they also reflect state laws that limit how many members can come from the same political party. These rules, found in Connecticut state law, are designed to make sure that boards include more than one political perspective.
The Idea Behind Minority Representation
Connecticut’s “minority representation” law refers to political balance. Under state law, most state and local boards can’t be made up entirely of one political party. For example:
- A five-member board can have no more than four members from the same party.
- A six-member board can have no more than four.
- A nine-member board can have no more than six.
- And on any board, the maximum is roughly two-thirds of the total seats.
💰 Board of Finance
Thomaston’s Board of Finance has six elected members, meaning that no more than four can belong to one political party. Even though all six seats may appear on the ballot, state law limits how many candidates from one party can win. The remaining seats are filled by the next-highest vote-getters from another party or by unaffiliated candidates.
🎓 Board of Education
Thomaston’s Board of Education has nine members, elected on a rotating schedule. Unlike most other boards, the Board of Education uses a restricted voting system under state law. That means voters can’t fill every open seat when they cast their ballots. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- If three seats are up, each voter can choose up to two candidates.
- If two seats are up, each voter can choose just one candidate.
This is why Thomaston’s ballot says “Vote for up to Two” on the Board of Education line for the six year term. The rule ensures that both major parties (and unaffiliated candidates, if running) have a chance at representation.
🏛️ Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen works a little differently — and it’s where another part of state law comes into play. Voters cast two separate votes:
- One vote for First Selectman (the town’s chief executive), and
- One vote for Selectman (two seats).
The candidate with the most votes for First Selectman wins that office. Then, the two highest remaining vote-getters — from either the Selectman or First Selectman columns — fill the remaining Selectman seats.
If a losing First Selectman candidate receives more votes than any Selectman candidate, that person earns a seat on the board as a Selectman. In other words, the losing candidate for First Selectman can effectively crossover as a member of the Board.
Example
To illustrate, imagine a scenario based on Thomaston’s 2023 election — with slightly adjusted numbers:
| Candidate | Office | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmond Mone | First Selectman | 1,050 | Elected First Selectman |
| Matthew Belval | First Selectman | 940 | Elected as Selectman |
| Michael Burr | Selectman | 920 | Elected as Selectman |
| Jeffrey Dunn | Selectman | 860 | — |
In this example, Mone wins First Selectman. Belval, though not elected First Selectman, receives more votes than either Selectman candidate — so his votes also count toward a seat on the board. That would giveThomaston its three-member Board of Selectmen: Mone, Belval, and Burr.
The same statute also keeps no more than two members of the same party from serving at once.
We used Thomaston’s 2023 results as the basis for this example to show how the process works — but this scenario was purely hypothetical. And our apologies to Mr. Dunn for bumping him out of his seat in the illustration — nothing personal, just math!
🧠 Why It Matters
These state rules can seem technical, but they shape how every local board operates. They’re meant to:
- Protect balance and representation across political lines,
- Prevent one party from controlling entire boards, and
- Encourage collaboration in decisions that affect schools, budgets, and town policy.
So the next time you see “Vote for up to Two” or watch the results roll in for First Selectman, remember — those tallies don’t just decide who wins. They also determine how power is shared.
Sources:
Connecticut General Statutes §§ 9-167a, 9-188, 9-204;
Connecticut Secretary of the State election results archive.
This is intended as an “explainer” – but not legal or election advice. Please consult the Town Clerk for any specific questions.
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