Norwich – A hearing on whether former Norwich for Change City Council candidate Ron Ward should be removed from the Democratic voter rolls has been postponed to Jan. 26 at Ward’s request.

Democratic Registrar JoAnn Merolla-Martin proposed removing Ward as a registered Democrat under a state law that gives her the authority to remove individuals from the party rolls if they do not show support for party philosophies and candidates.

Ward plans to fight the move and requested the hearing originally scheduled for Thursday be postponed to allow him time to obtain an attorney.

The hearing now will be held Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. at the city registrar’s office in City Hall.