Carole Young-Kleinfeld, who has served as Wilton’s Democratic Registrar of Voters for almost a decade, announced this week that she will resign the position in April. Young-Kleinfeld will be replaced by deputy registrar Karen Birck.
Since 2009 Young-Kleinfeld has, with her Republican counterparts former registrar Tina Gardner and current registrar Annalisa Stravato, administered all elections for the Wilton community, hiring and supervising elections officials and maintaining Wilton’s registration data base. She has also led workshops for statewide registers, and has throughout her term monitored elections legislation.
As vice-chair of the Connecticut Registrars Certification Committee, she developed the first statewide certification program for registrars of voters in consultation with the secretary of the state and became one of the first registrars in Connecticut to become certified. She trained election moderators across the state and served as deputy registrar from 2004 to 2009. As vice-chair of the Connecticut Registrars Certification Committee, she developed the first statewide certification program for registrars of voters in consultation with the secretary of the state and became one of the first registrars in Connecticut to become certified. She trained election moderators across the state and served as deputy registrar from 2004 to 2009.
“It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to have served as Wilton’s registrar for almost 10 years,” said Young-Kleinfeld. “I’ve been lucky to have worked as a team with Tina and former Wilton registrar and current State Elections Director Peggy Reeves who’ve taught me so much. Thanks to them and an army of election workers, local and state officials and Wiltonians who love and participate in our democracy, things have always run smoothly.”
Prior to her work as in the registrars office, Young Kleinfeld was Vice President of Communications for the League of Women Voters of Connecticut. Beginning in the 1970s she served as program director in the public health departments of New Hampshire and Connecticut.
Young-Kleinfeld was honored as Wilton’s Democrat of the Year in 2016. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the University of Connecticut School of Social Work where she earned her Masters.
“I’m leaving the office in good hands. Karen is a longtime community volunteer and has great elections experience. As former attorney, she is familiar with the Connecitcut Election Statutes, meticulous in her attention to detail, and will do a great job as registrar.”
Young-Kleinfeld says this is not retirement. “There is a lot I want to do: I’m hoping to do more traveling with my husband. I’m taking a conversational Spanish class, want to re-join a local singing group, do more kayaking, and remain active in the League of Women Voters. But I know I’ll miss the registrar’s office. It’s been deeply rewarding.”
