SEN. LESSER VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH A NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. LESSER VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH A NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Connecticut Voters Demanded More Democracy; Democrats Deliver

HARTFORD – While Donald Trump and Republicans attempt to make voting and democracy more difficult all across America, State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) and Senate Democrats today struck a blow for freedom and greater voter access right here in Connecticut by passing a bill to expand absentee voting to everyone, making it easier to vote and hold our representatives accountable.

House Bill 5001, “AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS,” passed the Senate today on a purely partisan 25-11 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

HB 5001, which is part of the Senate Democrats’ 2026 “Democracy Agenda” for the session, is the direct result of the statewide public referendum in November 2024 when 58% of Connecticut voters demanded that the Connecticut Constitution be amended to allow for absentee voting by anyone, without having to meet one of Connecticut’s five restrictive absentee voting excuses: active military service, being out of town, being sick, personal religious beliefs, or serving as an election official.

Connecticut Republicans opposed that November 2024 referendum, the public results of it, and the writing of and voting on HB 5001. Democrats, on the other hand, supported the public all along.

“The foundation of every democracy is the right to vote. Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington don’t want people voting, Connecticut Democrats want people voting. And the people of Connecticut have demanded that we do this. It’s as simple as that,” Sen. Lesser said.

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SOFTWARE – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION STATUS – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FREQUENCY – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION ON FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE -Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
ABSENTEE VOTING AND EARLY VOTING FOR CERTAIN 17-YEAR-OLD VOTERS – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
PROHIBITED ACTS NEAR AN ELECTIONS SITE – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
PROHIBITION ON SHARING TABULATORS OR TABULATOR PARTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOX TAMPERING – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO BRING AN ACTION – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
VOTER PARTICIPATION EFFORTS – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

SEN. CABRERA VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH A NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. CABRERA VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH A NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Connecticut Voters Demanded More Democracy; Democrats Deliver

HARTFORD – While Donald Trump and Republicans attempt to make voting and democracy more difficult all across America, State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) and Senate Democrats today struck a blow for freedom and greater voter access right here in Connecticut by passing a bill to expand absentee voting to everyone, making it easier to vote and hold our representatives accountable.

Connecticut Republicans opposed that November 2024 referendum, the public results of it, and the writing of and voting on HB 5001. Democrats, on the other hand, supported the public all along.

“This bill makes it easier to vote, especially for hardworking, busy families trying to balance work and family,” said Sen. Cabrera. “At a time when our freedoms are under threat, laws like this help expand and protect our liberties as citizens living in a free country.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SOFTWARE – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION STATUS – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FREQUENCY – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION ON FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE – Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
ABSENTEE VOTING AND EARLY VOTING FOR CERTAIN 17-YEAR-OLD VOTERS – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
PROHIBITED ACTS NEAR AN ELECTIONS SITE – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
PROHIBITION ON SHARING TABULATORS OR TABULATOR PARTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOX TAMPERING – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO BRING AN ACTION – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
VOTER PARTICIPATION EFFORTS – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

SEN. KUSHNER VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH A NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. KUSHNER VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH A NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Connecticut Voters Demanded More Democracy; Democrats Deliver

HARTFORD – While Donald Trump and Republicans attempt to make voting and democracy more difficult all across America, State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) and Senate Democrats today struck a blow for greater democracy and greater voter involvement right here in Connecticut by passing a bill to expand absentee voting to everyone.

Connecticut Republicans opposed that November 2024 referendum, the public results of it, and the writing of and voting on HB 5001. Democrats, on the other hand, supported the public all along.

“We know from our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic that the number of people voting absentee just skyrocketed. And we know from other states that having this type of absentee voting law in place improves voter participation in democracy. So absentee voting is a boon to working people, to working mothers, to people everywhere who are juggling two or three jobs and who want to make the time to vote but who can’t always find the time to do so,” Sen. Kushner said. “Absentee voting is still voting. It’s still taking part in the process, it’s making your voice heard, and that’s a precious commodity in America right now.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SOFTWARE – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION STATUS – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FREQUENCY – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION ON FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE – Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
ABSENTEE VOTING AND EARLY VOTING FOR CERTAIN 17-YEAR-OLD VOTERS – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
PROHIBITED ACTS NEAR AN ELECTIONS SITE – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
PROHIBITION ON SHARING TABULATORS OR TABULATOR PARTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOX TAMPERING – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO BRING AN ACTION – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
VOTER PARTICIPATION EFFORTS – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

SEN. MAHER VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. MAHER VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Connecticut Voters Demanded More Democracy; Democrats Deliver

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 6, 2026

HARTFORD – Senate Democrats today advanced greater democracy and voter involvement in Connecticut by passing legislation expanding absentee voting to everyone, rather than requiring a specific excuse.

House Bill 5001, “AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS,” passed the Senate today on a 25-11 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

“The people of Connecticut told us they wanted more flexibility and freedom in voting, and today we’re delivering just that,” said State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), who voted for the bill. “Today, Connecticut joins 28 other states in offering no-question absentee ballots, among many other significant updates to voting policies protecting freedoms and improving oversight on our policies and procedures. It’s a meaningful, significant step forward for voting rights and access in our state.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SOFTWARE – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION STATUS – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FREQUENCY – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION ON FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE -Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
ABSENTEE VOTING AND EARLY VOTING FOR CERTAIN 17-YEAR-OLD VOTERS – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
PROHIBITED ACTS NEAR AN ELECTIONS SITE – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
PROHIBITION ON SHARING TABULATORS OR TABULATOR PARTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOX TAMPERING – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO BRING AN ACTION – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has stablished a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
VOTER PARTICIPATION EFFORTS – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

SEN. MARX VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. MARX VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 6, 2026

HARTFORD –Senate Democrats today advanced greater democracy and voter involvement in Connecticut by passing legislation expanding absentee voting to everyone, rather than requiring a specific excuse.

“The people of Connecticut spoke two years ago, and today we’re making good on their demands,” said State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), who voted for the bill. “Our state’s absentee voting policies are unnecessarily restrictive. We’re making it easier to cast a ballot today, adding flexibility and choice to the process. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though; the bill also contains numerous protections and advances supporting our election laws, benefitting our state’s residents now and in the future.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut.

Sections include:

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SOFTWARE – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION STATUS – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FREQUENCY – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION ON FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE -Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
ABSENTEE VOTING AND EARLY VOTING FOR CERTAIN 17-YEAR-OLD VOTERS – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
PROHIBITED ACTS NEAR AN ELECTIONS SITE – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
PROHIBITION ON SHARING TABULATORS OR TABULATOR PARTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOX TAMPERING – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO BRING AN ACTION – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
VOTER PARTICIPATION EFFORTS – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

SEN. ANWAR VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

May 6, 2026

SEN. ANWAR VOTES FOR MORE DEMOCRACY IN CONNECTICUT WITH NEW ABSENTEE VOTER BILL
Connecticut Voters Demanded More Democracy; Democrats Deliver

HARTFORD – Senate Democrats today advanced greater democracy and voter involvement in Connecticut by passing legislation expanding absentee voting to everyone, rather than requiring a specific excuse.

“We’re answering the requests of the people of Connecticut through this legislation,” said State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), who voted for the bill. “They told us they want easier access to vote how they want when they want. That’s what this bill will deliver, but that’s just the start. It’s also shoring up protections for our current election standards, preventing potential interference with elections and bolstering the rights of state residents.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
ABSENTEE BALLOT TRACKING SOFTWARE – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
AUTOMATIC ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION STATUS – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC INVESTIGATORY AUTHORITY – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FREQUENCY – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION ON FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE – Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
ABSENTEE VOTING AND EARLY VOTING FOR CERTAIN 17-YEAR-OLD VOTERS – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
PROHIBITED ACTS NEAR AN ELECTIONS SITE – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
HARASSMENT OF ELECTION WORKERS – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
PROHIBITION ON SHARING TABULATORS OR TABULATOR PARTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
ABSENTEE BALLOT DROP BOX TAMPERING – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUTHORITY TO BRING AN ACTION – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
VOTER PARTICIPATION EFFORTS – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

Senator Honig Votes to Expand Absentee Voting Access

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Honig Votes to Expand Absentee Voting Access

HARTFORD – Senator Paul Honig (D-Harwinton), vice chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee, voted Wednesday in favor of legislation expanding absentee voting access for all Connecticut residents, fulfilling a mandate voters approved at the ballot box in November 2024, when 58% supported amending the state constitution to allow absentee voting without requiring a specific excuse.

House Bill 5001 passed the Senate today and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

HB 5001 fulfills the results of the November 2024 statewide referendum. Connecticut joins 28 other states plus Washington, D.C., that already offer no-excuse absentee voting. Previously, Connecticut voters were required to meet one of five specific excuses to cast an absentee ballot: active military service, being out of town, being sick, personal religious beliefs, or serving as an election official.

“Connecticut voters were clear in November 2024: they want broader access to the ballot, and it’s our job to deliver on that,” Senator Honig said. “Absentee voting without bureaucratic hurdles is already standard practice in 28 other states and Washington, D.C. This legislation brings Connecticut in line with a majority of the country, and that’s good for everyone I represent.”

HB 5001 has multiple sections, each designed to increase and improve the democratic voting process in Connecticut. Sections include:

No Excuse Absentee Voting – Expands absentee voting to all eligible voters, instead of requiring voters to have a specified excuse to vote
Absentee Ballot Application Distribution – Modifies requirements for mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications
Absentee Ballot Tracking Software – Requires the Secretary of the State to develop and install absentee ballot tracking software
Automatic Absentee Ballot Application Status – Creates procedures for voters to request that absentee ballot applications automatically be sent to them for elections they are eligible to vote in
SEEC Investigatory Authority – Authorizes SEEC to investigate and resolve alleged violations concerning election regulations
Municipal Election Frequency – Allows municipalities to hold municipal elections every four years if authorized by their Charter
Attorney General Action on Federal Election Interference – Authorizes the AG to seek certain court relief to prevent or resolve interference in elections for federal offices
Absentee Voting and Early Voting for Certain 17-Year-Old Voters – Allows citizens who are 17 years old and will be 18 years old before election day to vote by absentee ballot or use early voting for that election
Prohibited Acts Near an Elections Site – Generally prohibits law enforcement from knowingly being within 250 feet of an elections site, with certain exceptions, or being within this perimeter to check voter qualifications; prohibits anyone from wearing a mask or other covering within 250 feet of an election site, with certain exceptions; establishes criminal penalties for violations and disenfranchises individuals for certain violations
Harassment of Election Workers – Increases the penalty for subsequent offenses of an existing prohibition against harassing election workers to interfere with their election day duties; expands existing harassment protections to assistant town clerks
Prohibition on Sharing Tabulators or Tabulator Parts With Unauthorized Third Parties – Makes it a class D felony for an election official to give a third party any tabulator or tabulator part or appliance unless authorized by SOTS
Absentee Ballot Drop Box Tampering – Penalizes several acts concerning absentee ballot drop boxes, including tampering with them, the ballots inside, or ballots removed from them
Attorney General Authority to Bring an Action – Expands the AG’s authority to investigate, intervene in, and take certain actions when anyone has established a policy that deprives or interferes with another person’s civil rights; specifies that interfering with another person’s civil rights (or attempting to) includes doing so by physical obstruction
Voter Participation Efforts – Establishes a task force to study achieving 100% voter participation; allows municipalities to conduct pilot programs to achieve this

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov

SENATOR SLAP, MOMS DEMAND ACTION SUPPORT LEGISLATION RESTRICTING CONVERTIBLE PISTOLS AS IT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL IN SENATE

Posted on May 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR SLAP, MOMS DEMAND ACTION SUPPORT LEGISLATION RESTRICTING CONVERTIBLE PISTOLS AS IT RECEIVES FINAL APPROVAL IN SENATE

Early this morning, State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) supported and voted for the final passage of legislation through the State Senate seeking to restrict access to convertible pistols in Connecticut, semi-automatic handguns that can be modified for automatic fire using a device the size of a human finger, as part of an effort to improve firearm safety in the state.

The bill was introduced this year by Governor Ned Lamont in the pursuit of safety.

“When we hear something’s wrong, we need to take action, and that’s readily apparent here,” said Sen. Slap, who was a co-sponsor of the bill. “Simple, cheap pieces can be bought online and allow a pistol to fire automatically. Preventing their use is a simple, common-sense way for our state to retain the firearm safety our state is known for, as we’ve seen the horrific consequences of gun violence and continue to say ‘never again’ in our state.”

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Slap for his leadership in prioritizing our families’ safety over gun industry profits. After Sandy Hook, we made a promise to always lead on gun violence prevention and prevent future tragedies; by helping pass this bill, Senator Slap is helping us keep that promise,” said Brittany Schnurr, a West Hartford volunteer with the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This legislation is a critical step in ending the spread of ‘DIY’ machine guns and making every Connecticut neighborhood safer.”

Under House Bill 5043, as of October 1, 2026, the knowing import, advertising, selling or offering for sale of any convertible pistol will become a class D felony. That provision does not apply to retail sale or lawful transfer of a convertible pistol by someone who is not a licensed gun dealer to another person who is not a licensed gun dealer.

Under the bill, a “convertible pistol” is defined as any semiautomatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar, a link between the trigger and firing pin of a pistol, that can be modified by hand or with a common household tool to be converted into a machine gun with installation or attachment of a pistol converter. It would make any pistol equipped with a device or instrument aiding rapid fire to be considered a machine gun; hammer-fired semi-auto pistols and pistols with cruciform trigger bars preventing modification would not be considered convertible pistols.

It would also be a class D felony to sell, offer or otherwise transfer a “rate of fire enhancement,” in addition to already-illegal bump stocks, that allow for rapid fire of a semi-automatic firearm.

This bill allows people who own convertible pistols to keep those firearms. These models of firearm are already illegal in states including California; firearms manufacturers like Glock will simply be required to sell alternative models they already produce for other states.

Additional advances the law makes include clarifying that parts that can be turned into the lower receiver of a firearm, referred to as unfinished frames or unfinished lower receivers, cannot be advertised or sold in Connecticut and allowing the partial refunding of a handgun permit fee if authorities don’t complete duties within established timeframes.

Pistol conversion materials like “Glock switches” can be purchased online for relatively low costs, with their installation turning a firearm from a semi-automatic to an automatic.

Groups including Moms Demand Action, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, CT Against Gun Violence, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Everytown for Gun Safety and the Newtown Action Alliance testified in support of the bill.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor testified in support of the legislation, noting the impact of automatic gunfire in local communities. “HB 5043 takes a thoughtful and targeted approach by addressing the underlying design vulnerability that allows certain pistols to be easily converted,” she said, noting the step “places responsibility where it belongs – on preventing the design flaw that enables these dangerous modifications in the first place.”

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association testified that its members have seen modified firearms increasingly throughout Connecticut in recent years, with concerns that more ammunition being fired may correlate to more risk to the public.

DESPP Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins testified these firearms can “dramatically increase the potential for mass casualty incidents” and “complicate the ability of law enforcement to respond safely and effectively.”

The Newtown Action Alliance testified that the issue is connected to the firearms used in the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012, as firearm manufacturers modify weapon designs in ways circumventing existing legal definitions while maintaining lethal capabilities.

Connecticut has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the United States. In 2024, it had the sixth-lowest gun death rate nationally and received an A rating from the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Passing the Senate Wednesday morning by a 22-11 tally, the bill previously passed the House on April 22 by an 86-64 vote and the Judiciary Committee by a 24-12 vote on March 24. With its passage, the bill now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.

SEN. LESSER WELCOMES FINAL PASSAGE OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE BILL

Posted on May 5, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SEN. LESSER WELCOMES FINAL PASSAGE OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE BILL

HARTFORD – State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today celebrated the House of Representatives’ final passage of his long-term care (LTC) insurance bill that restricts rate increases for policies sold in Connecticut, requires insurers to report how much they are paying out each year in long-term insurance costs, and studies the potential impact of policyholders getting their premiums back if LTC policy increases exceed the rate of inflation.

Senate Bill 478 passed the House this evening on an overwhelming and bipartisan 146-4 vote after passing the Senate on a bipartisan and nearly unanimous 35-1 vote on April 30. The bill now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his signature into law.

“I am humbled by the overwhelming and bipartisan support expressed for this bill in both chambers of the General Assembly. It speaks to the fact that all of us have constituents who have invested in these plans, have seen the cost of these plans skyrocket beyond their wildest dreams, and who are desperate to be able to continue this coverage in a more affordable manner,” Sen. Lesser said. “Long-term care policies have become a problem nationwide, and this bill provides options for policyholders.”

About 100,000 people in Connecticut have long-term care policies, but they have seen their annual premiums skyrocket due to failed insurance company estimates on how long they would live and how expensive medical care would be.

Senate Bill 478 seeks to rein in these premium hikes in the following ways:

A LTC policy issuer shall not use or change premium rates for a long-term care policy unless the rates have been filed with and approved by the commissioner.
A LTC issuer must file a report every year listing the losses incurred and actual paid losses for each long-term care policy they issued in Connecticut.
The Insurance Commissioner may study what the effect would be of a requirement that LTC issuers provide policyholders with the opportunity to cancel their policies — and obtain full refunds of any premiums they have paid since the start of the policy — whenever the insurer seeks a rate increase that exceeds the rate of inflation
Any insurance company that files a rate filing for an increase in its premium rates for a LTC policy for 20 percent or more must spread that increase over three years or more.
Notify its policyholders of such premium rate increase and make available to such policyholders the additional choice of reducing the policy benefits to reduce the premium rate or electing coverage that reflects the minimum set of affordable benefit options.

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SENATOR LESSSER VOTES TO PASS BILL REINING IN ICE ABUSES IN CONNECTICUT

Posted on May 5, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR LESSER APPROVES FY ‘27 STATE BUDGET WITH NEW EDUCATION AID FOR 9TH SENATE DISTRICT RESIDENTS

HARTFORD –State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today voted for changes to the second year of Connecticut’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget that delivers $190 million more in education aid to Connecticut’s cities and towns, another $100 million to cities and towns, $300 million for early childcare, and $30 million more for low-income health care – all while remaining balanced and under the state spending cap.

Senate Bill 1 was passed on a bipartisan 30-6 vote and immediately sent to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Sen. Lesser welcomed the second-year budget adjustments, which will result in $128.98 million in total state aid this year – $12.75 million more than last year – for Cromwell, Middletown, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield, including an 8.55% increase of $6.37 million in education funding.

“These second-year budget adjustments are a reflection of the times, where towns are struggling in a tight economy with increased costs. We heard from parents and town leaders and came through with a pretty comprehensive investment in education, health care, and early child care that’s going to do a lot of good and which should save local taxpayers some money,” Sen. Lesser said.

Major, positive changes in the second year of the adjusted budget include:

$152 million in increased aid for local boards of education in the form of an additional ECS grant. This $152 million increase will also be built into the ECS grant in FY 28, which begins on July 1, 2027.
$20 million in additional funding to ensure that all school districts receive a minimum of a 2% increase in their ECS grant this year, regardless of student enrollment.
$18 million in additional aid for magnet schools, the Open Choice program, charter schools, and vocational-technical schools.
$100 million for state grants to cities and towns.
A $30 million increase to the state’s HUSKY health care program on top of the $45 million already budgeted, resulting in a total $75 million increase. HUSKY Health provides comprehensive, no-cost or low-cost medical coverage to eligible low-income residents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
A $300 million transfer of ‘volatile’ state revenue to the Early Childhood Endowment which helps families access childcare, supports higher wages for educators, and improves childcare facilities.
$50 million to begin rebuilding Vinal Tech High School in Middletown.

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