Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz is announcing that today is Election Day and the polls across Connecticut are now officially open. Connecticut's 883 polling places will be open until 8 p.m. this evening. Any voter in line at the polls by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

"This is it - the polls in Connecticut are now officially open," said Bysiewicz. "It is time to vote for our next President, Representatives in Congress and the state legislature as well as registrar of voters. There are also two constitutional questions on the ballot and many towns have budgetary and charter revision questions. Make your voice heard and vote."

A surge in new voter registrations has pushed the total number of registered voters in Connecticut to over 2,097,000 - the highest such figures in state history. Specifically, since Jan. 1 of this year, nearly 300,827 Connecticut residents have become newly registered voters.

In October, more than 134,000 new voters have registered for the November general election. The total number of registered voters in Connecticut is 2,097,635. The largest group of registered voters in Connecticut is unaffiliated, accounting for 883,274 voters. There are 779,784 registered Democrats and 427,020 registered Republicans.

"Record numbers of voters are going to head to the polls today," said Bysiewicz. Voter turnout could reach 90 percent, according to a press release from Bysiewicz' office.

"Voters should be prepared. First-time voters should take to the polls either a current and valid photo identification card that shows your name and address; or a present copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address."

Bysiewicz is also reminding voters that although no one can be prevented from voting if they wear a campaign button or shirt to the polls, Connecticut General Statutes Section 9-236 prohibits solicitation on behalf of any candidate or question within 75 feet of any polling place. This would prevent an individual from wearing a campaign button, T-shirt or hat into the polling place. However, once the individual removes the button or article of clothing from plain sight, the individual would be allowed to enter the polls to vote. Once the individual leaves the polling place and the 75-foot restricted area, they could again wear the button or article of clothing.

"We want to make sure that voters are properly informed of their rights," said Bysiewicz. "In interpreting the law, we also want to ensure that polling places remain neutral zones where voters can go and vote their conscience free of real or perceived intimidation. We understand that many voters feel passionate about the candidates they support and will want to express their opinions through their attire. This expression is protected by the Constitution; however it must be limited to areas outside the 75-foot boundary of the polling place."

Bysiewicz is encouraging voters to visit http://www.vote-ez-ct.com/ to learn more about acceptable forms of identification or to help locate their polling place.