Democracy is dying in the City of Groton. A public hearing was held regarding the new state law that automatically moves the City of Groton election from May to November. (“Groton City residents debate timing of city elections,” Oct. 25)

A bipartisan group of city residents collected 369 signatures on a petition requesting that the City Council reject changing the election date to November and any change of the date of the city municipal election be made by a vote of the electors during a future city election. The state law (passed with no input from Connecticut boroughs) states that if municipal elected officials do not vote by January 2023 with a ¾ majority to keep elections in May, then it automatically moves to November.

I am appalled at the disregard four councilors have for the citizens of the city. I appreciate that the Deputy Mayor Depot, Councilor McCabe, and Mayor Hedrick want to allow us to vote on this issue. However, four councilors do not. They are denying the request of 369 people and want to deny the voters of the city to decide for ourselves. Please call your City Councilors now and tell them to let us vote in the next May election for or against this change!

Elizabeth Duarte

Groton