Wayne Floegel, Republican Registrar of Voters
Wayne is half of the team for the Registrar of Voters, along with Cindy Bruno. Although they represent different political parties, they truly work as a team. Their job is to focus on the public. In addition to working closely, Wayne and Cindy truly like and respect each other; and both have a great sense of humor.
Wayne has held the Registrar position for three years and loves that the job is only part time. This gives him time to be the primary at home parent and take part in many community-based service projects. Prior to his position with the Ridgefield Town Hall, Wayne worked for the Ridgefield Public Schools as a paraprofessional in special education.
When asked about what his job entails, Wayne will show you the 126-page guidebook which he must follow religiously. Registrars must keep up to date in the constantly changing world of voter registration and be able to interpret and decide what is legally correct. The focus of his job is to always be honest, transparent, clear, understanding, knowledgeable, and organized.
With Covid and with the use of more sophisticated technology, most Ridgefield voters register through State web sites or the department of motor vehicles. There are still many people that prefer to come in person as they like the personal contact or have concerns or questions. Wayne and Cindy are always there to help.
One of Wayne’s wishes for his job is everything to be stored online so that when people want records, they no longer must produce hard copies. He would eliminate human error regarding voter registration. Wayne is very proud of Connecticut, as he feels we have the strongest voting laws in the country and much less error than other states
Wayne’s favorite time at the polls is when there is a referendum; where the whole town comes together in one location, and he gets to see and form a bond with more residents.
Wayne was born in Brooklyn and lived in numerous places all over the country. He considers San Diego home. After graduating from Point Loma Nazarene University with a degree in radio broadcasting, Wayne briefly went into broadcasting. He realized that sales were more lucrative and quickly shifted to a career in sales.
While living in Denver, Colorado Wayne met his wife, Elizabeth, who he calls the Queen of the World. Elizabeth is currently the CIO for a leading provider of mobility equipment. They have two children; Noah, a swimmer at Ridgefield High School and a leader in the US Naval Sea Cadets, Dealey Division in Stamford and Rachel, a student at Trumbull Christian Heritage Academy who is lettering in lacrosse, swimming and soccer and is a member of NCL Nutmeg Chapter. The family loves to travel and has been to Paris, Madrid, Hawaii, and all-over North America.
Wayne’s first political role was in Naperville, Illinois. In Naperville, Wayne was active in the community and helped to change the face of the town’s waterfront. This stint in activism motivated Wayne to get involved in Ridgefield right away.
Wayne serves the community as a member of the Board of Directors of Ridgefield Fathers Club. He is so proud of the work being done for the Boys and Girls Club as well as for families and those in need. Wayne is an active member of the Ridgefield High School PTA., on the Board of MS. President US, and is a member with the Danbury Elks Lodge 120.
Being a Man of Leisure and huge Jimmy Buffett Parrot Head is the key to Wayne’s existence. He has attended 87 Jimmy Buffett concerts and Escape to Margaritaville, the musical on Broadway. Around town you might see Wayne riding “Bianca,” his 2021 300 Sei Giorni Vespa, living the life Jimmy Buffett sings about. When it is snowing and cold and he is by the fireplace, Wayne pulls up Jimmy Buffett’s music and right away is in a tropical paradise.
Recently, Wayne became a Justice of the Peace and has officiated his first two weddings. He never realized how much joy he would get from this position.
Wayne has lived in many different places, but Ridgefield is one of the places that he has enjoyed the most. He feels that there is so much to do here, so many opportunities, and such good people. He might even stay here a little longer than he has in other places.