Guilford, Connecticut Public Records

Residents researching historical documents or tracing family lineages can turn to the Guilford Connecticut Archives and Genealogy resource, which preserves materials documenting the town's long history and the families who have called it home.

The Guilford Connecticut Unclaimed Property Search offers another valuable tool, allowing business owners and individuals to research unclaimed assets or funds that may be owed to them through forgotten accounts or incomplete transactions.

Eligible residents can register to vote online at voterregistration.ct.gov if they possess a valid Connecticut driver's license or DMV-issued ID. The registration deadline typically falls at noon on the seventh day before an election, though presidential elections allow Election Day Registration at designated locations. Recent legislation expanded same-day registration to gubernatorial elections as well. New voters must provide proof of identity and residency. Connecticut does not require voter ID at polling places for those already registered. Municipal elections take place in odd-numbered years, with the next scheduled for November 2025. Voters will choose a First Selectman (the chief executive), Board of Selectmen members, Board of Education members, Town Clerk, Tax Collector, and representatives to various boards and commissions. The town operates under a representative town meeting structure. Ballot questions occasionally appear regarding school construction projects, town facility improvements, or charter amendments. The Town Clerk's office and the Guilford Courier newspaper provide information about candidates and local issues. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the Secretary of State's lookup tool at portaldir.ct.gov/sots/LookUp.aspx by entering their street address. The town operates multiple polling locations including Guilford High School, the Community Center, and other public facilities. Polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM on Election Day. Voter registration lists are available for inspection at the Town Clerk's office and can be purchased by political parties and candidates. Campaign finance reports for state candidates are filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission at portal.ct.gov/SEEC and searchable online. Local candidate finance reports for municipal races are filed with the Town Clerk. Election results by precinct appear on the Secretary of State's website at portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Election-Results and are published locally by the Town Clerk. In Guilford historically exceeds county averages, often reaching 70-75% in presidential contests. Specific precinct-level results are available through the Town Clerk. On November 3, 2026, residents will face several significant races. Governor Ned Lamont's term expires in 2026, making the gubernatorial contest a major statewide race. All five U.S. House seats representing Connecticut will be on the ballot; the town is part of Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District. All 151 Connecticut State House of Representatives seats will be contested, with Guilford divided among several legislative districts. All 36 Connecticut State Senate seats are also up for election. Voters will decide the Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, and Attorney General positions. Connecticut does not have county-level elected offices as the state has no county governments with operational authority. Guilford will not have municipal elections in 2026 as those occur in odd-numbered years, with the next scheduled for 2027. Connecticut offers absentee voting for registered voters who meet specific criteria including: being away from town on Election Day, active military service, illness, physical disability, religious beliefs prohibiting secular activity on Election Day, required election day duties as an election official, or being a designated sequestered juror. Absentee ballot applications are available at the Town Clerk's office or can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website. Applications must be submitted to the Guilford Town Clerk, and completed ballots must be returned by mail or hand-delivered to the Town Clerk's office by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Connecticut does not offer universal no-excuse absentee voting, though this has been a subject of ongoing legislative discussion.