Month: May 2023

HEEDING THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, SEN. FLEXER LEADS FINAL APPROVAL OF EARLY VOTING BILL

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

HEEDING THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, SEN. FLEXER LEADS FINAL APPROVAL OF EARLY VOTING BILL

HARTFORD – State Senator Mae Flexer and the Democrat-led state Senate this evening gave final, bipartisan passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Sen. Flexer, who is Senate Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, led Democrats in passing the bill after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

The bill passed the Senate on a bipartisan 27-7 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

“We’ve spent several years in Connecticut advancing this issue and getting to this point of approving early voting. Now we’ve got to catch up to the other 46 states in America that already have early voting in their states,” Sen. Flexer said. “Sometimes it’s hard for us who live and breathe politics to understand the balance that is required in other people’s lives to make the time to go out and vote. That’s essential for us to remember. This bill will make a huge difference in getting people to participate in our democracy, and to have their voices heard. And it is my great hope, that in the future we’ll see that early voting has increased the participation of the citizens of our state.”

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and towns with more than 20,000 residents may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

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Senator Hochadel Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill

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Senator Hochadel Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill

State Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden) applauded State Senate Passage of two pieces of legislation crucial to creating more ease of access at the polls. The first, no-excuse absentee ballot voting will remove the Connecticut constitution’s current, multiple restrictions on absentee voting and allow for “no-excuses” absentee voting if Connecticut residents approve of that when the question is placed on the 2024 general election ballot. The second, early voting establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

“Early voting increases access for those who won’t be able to travel to the polls on election day no matter what the reason is,” said Sen. Hochadel. “I am proud to support both bills as early voting and absentee ballots help to improve voter turnout.”

No Excuse Absentee Voting

The resolution passed the Senate yesterday evening on a 26-8 vote. This same resolution was approved by Democrats in both the House and Senate in 2021, but with enough opposition from Republican legislators to require an additional vote in the General Assembly this year.

Under current Connecticut law, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they’re going to be out of town on Election Day, sickness, if they’re on active military duty, because of a religious prohibition, or if they are poll workers who will be working all day in another town.

But 27 other U.S. states already allow for no-excuse absentee voting, including the deep Red Republican states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

On a related matter, last fall, 60% of Connecticut residents voted to amend the state constitution to allow for early voting.

Early Voting:

HB 5004 establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Democrats passed the bill in the House and Senate after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

SEN. COHEN VOTES TO EXPAND VOTING ACCESS THROUGH EARLY VOTING AND ‘NO-EXCUSE’ ABSENTEE VOTING

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SEN. COHEN VOTES TO EXPAND VOTING ACCESS THROUGH EARLY VOTING AND ‘NO-EXCUSE’ ABSENTEE VOTING

HARTFORD – State Senator Christine Cohen voted for two provisions to provide Connecticut residents with more voting options. The Senate gave final passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024. Senator Cohen also joined her colleagues to give final passage of a bill that will remove the Connecticut constitution’s current restrictions on absentee voting and allow for “no-excuse” absentee voting should Connecticut residents approve of the measure when the question is placed on the 2024 general election ballot.

“During the pandemic it was made perfectly clear – when we make voting accessible, convenient and secure, more people participate in our democracy,” said Sen. Cohen. “I’m so pleased that today we were able to put real policy behind the charge to allow for early voting, and I am eager to put the question back to the voters in 2024 as to whether they want to avail themselves of no-excuse absentee voting.”

The early voting provision passed the House and Senate this session after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change to the state constitution last fall. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

Specifically, the bill requires a fourteen-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, when the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

HB 5004 now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

The “no-excuse” absentee voting provision was approved with a simple majority in 2021 and required an additional vote in the General Assembly this year, before it could head to the voters on the 2024 ballot. With that accomplished, the residents of Connecticut will have the opportunity to use their collective voices to determine whether or not they would like to see this constitutional amendment.

Under current Connecticut law, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they’re going to be out of town on Election Day, if they’re sick, if they’re on active military duty, because of a religious prohibition, or if they are poll workers who are working all day in another town.

Twenty-seven other U.S. states already allow for no-excuse absentee voting, including Arizona, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Sen. Maher Votes for Senate Passage of No-Excuse Voting Bill and Early Voting Legislation

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Sen. Maher Votes for Senate Passage of No-Excuse Voting Bill and Early Voting Legislation

HARTFORD – Today, state Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) voted to advance two popular pieces of legislation crucial to creating more ease of access at the polls. The first, no-excuse absentee ballot voting will remove the Connecticut constitution’s current, multiple restrictions on absentee voting and allow for “no-excuses” absentee voting if Connecticut residents approve of that when the question is placed on the 2024 general election ballot. The second, early voting establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

“This is a great day for democracy in our state as well as the many voters who overwhelmingly support both early voting and no-excuse absentee voting and I am proud to support it,” said Sen. Maher. “We are providing Connecticut voters with increased access to the polls and bolstering our democracy. When we make participation more accessible, we position residents a real opportunity to have a voice in their government, their communities, and their state. I am glad we got this done.”

No-Excuse Absentee Voting

Under current Connecticut law, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they’re going to be out of town on Election Day, sickness, if they’re on active military duty, because of a religious prohibition, or if they are poll workers who will be working all day in another town.

But 27 other U.S. states already allow for no-excuse absentee voting, including the deep Red Republican states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

On a related matter, Last fall, 60% of Connecticut residents voted to amend the state constitution to allow for early voting.

Early Voting

The Democrat-led state Senate this evening gave final passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING.”

Democrats passed the bill in the House and Senate after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Senator Maroney Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill

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Senator Maroney Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill

Today, state Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) applauded State Senate Passage of two pieces of legislation crucial to creating more ease of access at the polls. The first, no-excuse absentee ballot voting will remove the Connecticut constitution’s current, multiple restrictions on absentee voting and allow for “no-excuses” absentee voting if Connecticut residents approve of that when the question is placed on the 2024 general election ballot. The second, early voting establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

“Voting is one of our most sacred rights and responsibilities,” said Sen. Maroney. “We need to make it easier for our citizens to vote, as when more people participate in our democracy, we arrive at better answers. I am proud to support both early voting and the constitutional amendment to allow our citizens to decide on no excuse absentee voting.”

No Excuse Absentee Voting

The resolution passed the Senate this evening on a 26-8 vote. This same resolution was approved by Democrats in both the House and Senate in 2021, but with enough opposition from Republican legislators to require an additional vote in the General Assembly this year.

Under current Connecticut law, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they’re going to be out of town on Election Day, sickness, if they’re on active military duty, because of a religious prohibition, or if they are poll workers who will be working all day in another town.

But 27 other U.S. states already allow for no-excuse absentee voting, including the deep Red Republican states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

On a related matter, last fall, 60% of Connecticut residents voted to amend the state constitution to allow for early voting.

Early Voting:

HB 5004 establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Democrats passed the bill in the House and Senate after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

Senator Gaston Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill

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Senator Gaston Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) applauded State Senate Passage of two pieces of legislation crucial to creating more ease of access at the polls. The first, no-excuse absentee ballot voting will remove the Connecticut constitution’s current, multiple restrictions on absentee voting and allow for “no-excuses” absentee voting if Connecticut residents approve of that when the question is placed on the 2024 general election ballot. The second, early voting establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

“Voting is a human right. We should do everything we can to make voting accessible to residents around the state,” said Sen. Gaston. “Election Day is one day out of the year and things come up, people may not have a way to get to the polls, people may be too sick or may not be able to get childcare. Whatever the reason, those who may have a prior commitment still deserve to vote. Passing legislation that allows people to cast their vote early and send in an absentee ballot will afford those who are unable to get their on election day the opportunity to vote.”

No Excuse Absentee Voting

The resolution passed the Senate this evening on a 26-8 vote. This same resolution was approved by Democrats in both the House and Senate in 2021, but with enough opposition from Republican legislators to require an additional vote in the General Assembly this year.

Under current Connecticut law, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they’re going to be out of town on Election Day, sickness, if they’re on active military duty, because of a religious prohibition, or if they are poll workers who will be working all day in another town.

But 27 other U.S. states already allow for no-excuse absentee voting, including the deep Red Republican states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.

On a related matter, last fall, 60% of Connecticut residents voted to amend the state constitution to allow for early voting.

Early Voting:

HB 5004 establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Democrats passed the bill in the House and Senate after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

SEN. KUSHNER VOTES FOR NO-EXCUSES VOTING RESOLUTION AND EARLY VOTING BILL

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SEN. KUSHNER VOTES FOR NO-EXCUSES VOTING RESOLUTION AND EARLY VOTING BILL

State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) this evening voted for two pieces of legislation that will greatly expand voting in Connecticut: House Joint 1, a resolution that will remove the Connecticut constitution’s current, multiple restrictions on absentee voting and allow for “no-excuses” absentee voting; and House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

“Tonight, I voted the will of the people of the 24th State Senate District. Last fall, nearly 22,000 people in the district – more than 60 percent of those voting – said yes to early voting. When we increase the opportunity to vote, when we increase the accessibility to the ballot, we strengthen our democracy,” Sen. Kushner said. “And in 2020, people were very happy to fill out an absentee ballot and drop it in the box. With our vote tonight, we’ll put no-excuses absentee voting on the ballot in 2024. I hope my constituents embrace no-excuse absentee voting in the same way they overwhelmingly supported early voting.”

HJ 1, which passed the Senate this evening on a 26-8 vote, now heads to Connecticut residents to consider on the 2024 general election ballot. Under current Connecticut law, voters can only vote by absentee ballot if they’re going to be out of town on Election Day, due to sickness, if they’re on active military duty, because of a religious prohibition, or if they are poll workers who will be working all day in another town. But 27 other U.S. states already allow for no-excuse absentee voting, including the Republican states of Arizona, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. If approved by voters in 2024, the legislature would begin working on bill language for no-excuses absentee voting in 2025.,/p>

HB 5004, which passed the Senate on a bipartisan 27-7 vote, requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries. Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials. HB 5004 now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of that bill into law.

HEEDING THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, SEN. FLEXER LEADS FINAL APPROVAL OF EARLY VOTING BILL

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HEEDING THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, SEN. FLEXER LEADS FINAL APPROVAL OF EARLY VOTING BILL

HARTFORD – State Senator Mae Flexer and the Democrat-led state Senate this evening gave final, bipartisan passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Sen. Flexer, who is Senate Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, led Democrats in passing the bill after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.
The bill passed the Senate on a bipartisan 27-7 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

“We’ve spent several years in Connecticut advancing this issue and getting to this point of approving early voting. Now we’ve got to catch up to the other 46 states in America that already have early voting in their states,” Sen. Flexer said. “Sometimes it’s hard for us who live and breathe politics to understand the balance that is required in other people’s lives to make the time to go out and vote. That’s essential for us to remember. This bill will make a huge difference in getting people to participate in our democracy, and to have their voices heard. And it is my great hope, that in the future we’ll see that early voting has increased the participation of the citizens of our state.”

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.,/p>

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and towns with more than 20,000 residents may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

MATCHING CONNECTICUT’S VOTE IN 2022, SENATE DEMOCRATS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO EARLY VOTING BILL

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MATCHING CONNECTICUT’S VOTE IN 2022, SENATE DEMOCRATS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO EARLY VOTING BILL

HARTFORD – The Democrat-led state Senate early this morning gave final passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Democrats passed the bill in the House and Senate after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

“It is clear that our constituents want early voting and have been demanding for many years that Connecticut adopts voting reforms,” said State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford), Senate Vice Chair of the Government Administration and Employees Committee and who voted for the bill, said. “At a time when other states are rolling back voting rights, I’m so gratified that we are moving in the other direction. We want every eligible voter in Connecticut to have the opportunity to cast a ballot – and have their voice heard.”

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.

MATCHING CONNECTICUT’S VOTE IN 2022, SENATE DEMOCRATS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO EARLY VOTING BILL

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MATCHING CONNECTICUT’S VOTE IN 2022, SENATE DEMOCRATS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO EARLY VOTING BILL

HARTFORD – The Democrat-led state Senate early this morning gave final passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

Democrats passed the bill in the House and Senate after 60% of Connecticut voters approved of an early voting change last fall to the state constitution. Forty-six American states already allow some form of early voting.

“We know this policy is popular – a majority of Connecticut has voted in support for it already,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor). “I’m proud to join my colleagues and make sure Connecticut voters join the vast majority of our country in being able to cast ballots before Election Day. The more accessible the polls are, the more people cast ballots and the more representative our government becomes.”

Specifically, the bill requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections, a seven-day period for most primaries, and a four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

Every city and town in Connecticut must establish at least one early voting location and may establish more. Early voting locations must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including weekends, except that on the last Tuesday and Thursday before the election, the locations must be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The bill also sets various requirements and procedures for early voting including voter eligibility, same-day election registration, ballot custody, staffing and training, and materials.

The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature of the bill into law.