By Sentinel Staff
Turnout in Greenwich’s 2025 municipal election fell to 45 percent, down from just over 50 percent two years ago, despite the introduction of early voting. A total of 17,730 ballots were cast out of 39,255 eligible voters, according to figures released by the Registrar of Voters.
Republican Turnout Slipped Most
Republicans showed the sharpest decline in participation. In 2023, 62 percent of registered Republicans went to the polls. This year, that number fell to 51 percent—a drop of more than eleven points. While First Selectman Fred Camillo again led all candidates and won reelection comfortably, the numbers indicate that many Republican voters stayed home.
Democratic participation held relatively steady, dipping only slightly from 53.4 to 52.5 percent. That steadiness, combined with a lower Republican turnout, helped narrow the overall margin between the two parties.
Unaffiliated Voters Showed Less Interest
Unaffiliated voters, who make up the largest share of Greenwich’s electorate, also turned out in smaller numbers. Only 35.5 percent of unaffiliated voters participated in 2025, compared with 40.7 percent two years earlier. Their reduced engagement contributed significantly to the overall decline in turnout.
Registrar of Voters Fred DeCaro said that pattern isn’t surprising in municipal election years. “Unaffiliated voters tend to be less driven by party organization and more by individual issues or candidates,” he noted. “Without strong townwide controversies on the ballot this year, many of them likely sat this one out.”
Early Voting’s First Test
This year marked Connecticut’s first municipal election with early voting. Of the 17,730 total ballots cast, 4,289 were early votes, 980 were absentee ballots, and 12,454 were cast in person on Election Day.
Hourly data from polling places showed the busiest periods between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with another brief spike in the early evening. The addition of early voting offered flexibility but did not offset the overall decrease in participation.
Independent Line Voters Remain Highly Engaged
While unaffiliated participation dropped, a small but distinct group—voters registered under the Independent Party and other minor affiliations—turned out in far greater numbers. That group had an 81 percent participation rate, up from 48 percent in 2023. The sharp increase reflects the presence of a candidate listed on the Independent line, which energized that small segment of voters.
A Town Still Engaged, but Selectively
Despite the lower turnout, Greenwich continues to outperform most Connecticut towns in civic participation. “Even with a five-point decline, Greenwich remains one of the most engaged communities in the state,” DeCaro said.
The 2025 results suggest that Greenwich’s electorate remains attentive but selective— Republicans less motivated this year, Democrats consistent, and unaffiliated voters increasingly cautious about heading to the polls. Early voting may expand access, but it has not yet solved the town’s growing challenge of voter enthusiasm.
