Paul Bass Photo
Elicker tries to sway undecided voter heading into the 200 Orange St. polls.
At least one voter came to the polls undecided Tuesday — and Justin Elicker got a chance to try to change her mind.
The encounter took place outside the Ward 7 polling station at 200 Orange St. The ward, with 1,827 registered Democrats, has one of the largest potential caches of votes in Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary contest between challenger Elicker and three-term incumbent Toni Harp.
The undecided voter (who asked not to be photographed or named) came to the 200 Orange St. polling place undecided. She encountered three Elicker volunteers handing out palm cards. Harp did not have any volunteers working this polling place.
Elicker happened to be down the block greeting voters. The volunteers directed her to the candidate.
The two proceeded to have an extended conversation.
“Do you feel you’re in touch with the black community?” the voter, who is white, asked Elicker. Elicker is white; Harp is African-American.
“Yes and no,” Elicker responded. He spoke of how he’s working hard to be accessible to all voters. He said he’s “actively committed” to working with all parts of the community.
“I think race is an important issue in New Haven,” Elicker told her. “We have to acknowledge that.” He added that he has found that “people are frustrated. They want results. Most people I talk to, they don’t care what I look like. They want more opportunities.”
As she walked away, to the 200 Orange basement voting room, the woman said she remained undecided. “I appreciate that he appears to be aware of his privilege and his challenge,” she said. She noted that he committed to making racially diverse mayoral appointments. She planned to text a friend for advice before casting her vote.
Several minutes later, she emerged from the voting station. She had made up her mind, she said. She declined to disclose how.