Tag: absentee voting

No-Excuse Absentee Voting Was Approved by CT Voters. What Happens Next?

by Kat Struhar, Nov. 18, CT Mirror

Connecticut voters have approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution that removes restrictions around absentee voting, allowing for universal access.

The amendment passed with around 58% of voters in favor and 42% against, a 16% margin of difference… But its passage doesn’t mean so-called “no-excuse absentee voting” will automatically take effect; rather, it means lawmakers are now free to pass a law allowing for it.

No-excuse absentee voting describes absentee voting that is accessible universally. In other words, one does not need to provide a reason in order to vote by absentee… No-excuse absentee voting does not take effect immediately.

For it to become law, state legislators must take it up during the 2025 legislative session. Because Connecticut voter law is written into the state constitution, it is difficult to amend. Any changes to it must first pass through the House and Senate with three-fourths majority support, or a simple majority in both chambers in two successive legislative terms, and then majority support among voters. Now that those steps have been completed, lawmakers are free to pass a law to enact no-excuse absentee voting statewide.

Though lawmakers could technically opt not to pursue passing a law to permit no-excuse absentee voting further, that is not the plan for [Rep. Matthew] Blumenthal.

If lawmakers approve it, Connecticut will join the more than half of the U.S. states that utilize no-excuse absentee voting.

Source  https://ctmirror.org/2024/11/18/ct-no-excuse-absenteevoting-ballot-question-passed

No Excuses! Absentee Voting Is on the Ballot this Year

by League of Women Voters of Connecticut

“Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”

Connecticut voters will see the above question on their November 5 ballot. A “yes” vote supports authorizing our State Legislators to make absentee voting available to ALL eligible Connecticut voters for any reason. A “no” vote opposes any changes, keeping current language in the State Constitution that requires a voter to have a specific reason… to request an absentee ballot.

Currently, Connecticut voters can request an absentee ballot only if they cannot make it to the polls on election day for… active military service, absence from town of residence during voting hours, sickness, physical disability, religious beliefs precluding secular activity on election day, or performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours.

Under the amendment, an absentee ballot would still be returned either in person or by mail to the voter’s city or town clerk’s office by the close of business the day before the election, or dropped in an official ballot drop-box before the polls close at 8 p.m. on election day…

Connecticut is behind… other states when it comes to access to absentee voting. It’s time to catch up! Connecticut’s restrictions on voting access are outdated – 28 states do not require a specific reason to vote absentee, including New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Eight states and the District of Columbia conduct their elections entirely by mail. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/yc5frjvw.

Absentee Voting in Connecticut

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ned Lamont has signed an executive order allowing all registered voters in Connecticut to vote absentee in the Aug. 11 primary elections. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has announced that she intends to mail every registered voter in the state an application that they will need to fill out and return in order to obtain an absentee ballot. That application, which will be sent via U.S. Postal Service, will include a postage-paid return envelope.