Enfield Democrats are in big trouble

Despite leading in voter registrations, the Enfield Democratic Town Committee seems to lack a winning election strategy.

Until the 2021 election, the Republicans had controlled the Town Council for 14 years straight. But in that year, the Democrats secured seven of the 11 council seats, a significant victory.

However, last November, voters reinstated the Republicans to control the Town Council. The Democrats have not fully come to terms with the magnitude of this loss.

Some Democrats claim they lost the election by about one percent—a figure apparently obtained by aggregating all votes cast for every candidate, from Council to Constable. This perspective, however, amounts to self-deception.

The Democrats were decisively defeated in the Town Council election, with a voting margin exceeding 8%. In essence, they were soundly beaten, but the situation is even more dire.

In their most recent campaign finance filing, the Democrats reported contributions totaling $12,485. In contrast, the Republicans raised $40,194 during the same period, more than 200% of the Democrats' total.

A strong voter turnout was crucial for a Democratic victory. State records show that there are 5,912 active registered Republican voters and 7,903 active Democratic voters, with unaffiliated voters forming the largest group at 11,399.

The Democrats failed to mobilize the necessary turnout. While individual Democrats were as motivated as their Republican counterparts, featuring a slate of hard-working candidates, the party as a whole failed to provide the necessary support.

The local Republicans capitalized on the revaluation process, which increased residential property taxes by approximately 10%. They attributed this hike entirely to the Democrats, despite the fact that the imbalance in the grand list developed over many years, primarily under Republican oversight. The Republicans were fortunate to lose council control in 2021.

Role of national events

The Democrats' 2021 victory might have been a reaction to the U.S. Capitol events on January 6, offering residents their first opportunity to express their outrage at the polls. If true, this suggests that the 2021 win was an anomaly, not proof of the Enfield Democratic Town Committee's effectiveness. In the most recent election, Republican success may have also been fueled by frustration over revaluation and the impacts of inflation.

The Democrats need to intensify their efforts. The Republicans, with their unified message and financial resources, deserve recognition for their election strategy. 

We are entering a critical period for the Democrats. Failure to improve could result in further electoral losses and significant implications for the town's future.

The Republicans' push for a Charter Revision Commission is not only driven by legal obligations but by a strategic mission. They likely aim to introduce budget referendums, potentially pitting senior citizens against school parents, with low voter turnout deciding the town's fate. Such referendums, in an aging community, could favor the Republicans in the long term.

The Democratic Town Committee must undergo significant changes, possibly including new leadership. Non-active members should step down to make room for more engaged individuals. The committee's website lists only 71 members, despite having a capacity for 80, indicating a need for better outreach and recruitment.

Unless the Enfield Democratic Town Committee confronts the reality of its recent electoral defeat, acknowledges its mistakes, articulates a compelling community vision, and actively seeks individuals committed to Democratic success, it will continue to face electoral setbacks.