Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 17, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you have had a great week. Please keep reading for information about early voting, free breast cancer screenings, and more!

Registering to Vote and Early Voting

Time is running out to register to vote in the upcoming November 4th municipal election.

First, are you eligible to vote? Check HERE.

Registration can be done in a few ways:

By mail: Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Registrar's Office by October 17th.

OR

Online: By using the Connecticut Online Voter Registration System (CVRS), which you can find HERE.

Same-Day Registration (SDR) is also available during the early voting period (Monday, October 20th, through Sunday, November 2), from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

There are extended hours on October 28th, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. It can also be done at the designated Early Voting location in your town, which you can find HERE.

DSS Launches New Chatbot

We’re making government work faster for you! The Connecticut Department of Social Services just launched Laurel, a new chatbot that cuts wait times and gives residents instant, 24/7 access to benefit information and resources.

Free Breast Cancer Screenings

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the governor's office and public health officials are reinforcing the critical importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Regular mammograms remain the most effective method for identifying breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.

For Connecticut residents who may not be able to afford regular mammograms, the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Early Detection and Prevention Program offers free breast cancer screenings. This program is available to those with low income and limited or no health insurance, with services provided at various locations across the state.

Click here for more information on if you qualify for free screenings, if you need assistance accessing a mammogram, or for other available resources. The Department of Public Health can also be contacted directly at 860-509-7804 for more information.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

ICYMI - The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place on October 25 from 10 AM - 2 PM. On this day, residents will be able to safely and securely dispose of unused or expired medications. Click here to find a drop-off site near you.

If you are unable to attend on October 25, or if you're looking for convenient disposal options throughout the year, MyOldMeds.com is a valuable resource. They offer a free, easy-to-use locator tool that connects residents to the 354 disposal sites across Connecticut.

ICYMI - Optimum’s 18th Annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest

Optimum’s 18th Annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest is now accepting entries. Interested applicants must write an essay about their connection to Hispanic culture in 500 words or less. The contest is open to middle and high school students.

Essays must be submitted by October 31. Click here to learn more.