Author: SDO Automation

Looney, Duff Applaud Governor’s Release of $35 Million in Economic Relief for UConn and UConn Health

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Looney, Duff Applaud Governor’s Release of $35 Million in Economic Relief for UConn and UConn Health

“Republicans in Washington are purposefully targeting the economic engines of blue states.”

HARTFORD — Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) applauded Governor Lamont’s release of $35 million from Connecticut’s Federal Cuts Response Fund to provide economic relief for the University of Connecticut and UConn Health due to a loss of federal research grants. The Senate leaders released the following statement.

“As the Trump regime wages its reckless assault on federal research funding, Connecticut is refusing to let our flagship university absorb those cuts alone. While the headlines say these are research grants, we know what they translate to in reality: Connecticut jobs. Republicans in Washington are purposefully targeting the economic engines of blue states. We can’t stand idly by as UConn and UConn Health suffer economic damage from the hateful and financially illogical decisions by MAGA.

“We thank Governor Lamont for moving to deploy these resources. The Federal Cuts Response Fund was established through a partnership between Senate Democrats, House Democrats, and the Governor because we knew this damage would come and, unfortunately, will continue until sound economic policies return to Washington. Today’s action is a demonstration of what it looks like when state government responds to federal Republican dysfunction with purpose and resolve.

“We know how misguided these federal cuts are, but we don’t know if the Connecticut Senate and House MAGA caucuses will stand up for Connecticut’s economy or once again bend the knee in fealty to the person they serve above all else, Donald Trump.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

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SENATOR OSTEN: THREE TOWNS IN THE 19TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT RECEIVING MORE THAN ONE MILL’S WORTH OF STATE AID

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SENATOR OSTEN: THREE TOWNS IN THE 19TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT RECEIVING MORE THAN ONE MILL’S WORTH OF STATE AID

EASTERN CONNECTICUT – State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague), who is Senate Chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, announced today that while all 10 towns in the 19th State Senate District received an increase in state financial aid in the most recent bipartisan state budget, three towns – Norwich, Ledyard, and Montville – are each receiving state aid that is equal to 1-3 mills of local town taxes.
That means that without this year’s additional state aid, local residents could have paid much more in local property taxes.

“This connection between state aid and local tax rates, this is what people relate to in their communities,” Sen. Osten said. “I’ve brought back dollars every year to the towns in the 19th State Senate District, and that money has helped stymie potential tax increases, stop potential budget cuts, or it has helped make a local tax cut possible. Local property taxes are the most burdensome tax in Connecticut; it’s what people complain about the most, and I’m trying to do something about that.”

The 19th State Senate District comprises Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Marlborough, Montville, Norwich, and Sprague.

Overall, these towns will receive a total of $135,849,048 in state aid in 2026-2027, which is an $18,593,5546 increase – 15.85% – over 2025-2026.

Norwich is receiving an additional $9,040,154 in state aid, which is equal to 3.15 mills at the current tax rate. Ledyard is receiving an additional $2,185,138 in state aid, equal to 1.67 mills, and Montville is receiving an additional $2,602,527 in state aid, equal to 1.56 mills. 
 
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Senator Cohen Votes to Pass No-Excuse Absentee Voting Legislation

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Senator Cohen Votes to Pass No-Excuse Absentee Voting Legislation

HARTFORD – Senator Christine Cohen (D-Guilford) 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.

“Fifty-eight percent of Connecticut voters made this decision at the ballot box in November 2024, and it was our job to follow through,” Senator Cohen said. “I am proud that we did exactly that, removing barriers that for too long kept eligible voters from participating on their own terms. This is a win for every voter in my district, and across Connecticut, who believes that democracy works best when everyone can be part of it.”

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

SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WELCOME GOV. LAMONT’S SIGNATURE OF ICE BILL INTO LAW

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SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WELCOME GOV. LAMONT’S SIGNATURE OF ICE BILL INTO LAW

HARTFORD – Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), who is Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today upon Governor Ned Lamont signing into law Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.”

“In the 250th year of our independence, America is at a crossroads. The legislative passage of Senate Bill 397 – a Senate Democrats’ priority bill – to rein in federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ repeated and horrific violations of our constitutional and human rights is evidence that the principles of federalism enunciated in the 10th Amendment are still viable and vital, despite repeated attempts by Donald Trump and Republicans to choke the life out of our national democratic tradition of dual sovereignty. With the signing of this bill into law today, Connecticut is once again firing a shot in the fight for freedom against tyranny.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

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SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WELCOME GOV. LAMONT’S SIGNATURE OF ICE BILL INTO LAW

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SENATORS LOONEY, DUFF & WINFIELD WELCOME GOV. LAMONT’S SIGNATURE OF ICE BILL INTO LAW

HARTFORD – Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), and Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven), who is Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement today upon Governor Ned Lamont signing into law Senate Bill 397, “AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.”

“In the 250th year of our independence, America is at a crossroads. The legislative passage of Senate Bill 397 – a Senate Democrats’ priority bill – to rein in federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ repeated and horrific violations of our constitutional and human rights is evidence that the principles of federalism enunciated in the 10th Amendment are still viable and vital, despite repeated attempts by Donald Trump and Republicans to choke the life out of our national democratic tradition of dual sovereignty. With the signing of this bill into law today, Connecticut is once again firing a shot in the fight for freedom against tyranny.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

Stay Connected with Senate Democrats

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

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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

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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.

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.

“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

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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.

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.

“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

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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.

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.

“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

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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.

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.

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.

“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