SENATOR MARX JOINS PASSAGE OF BILL TO FIGHT BLIGHT
Tonight, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), joined the Senate’s passage of legislation seeking to fight blight. The bill expands communities in which blighted property receiverships can be used; expands state and local authority to regulate blight; and increases fines for blight, as well as littering, among a number of other changes.
In February, Sen. Marx testified in front of the Planning and Development Committee in support of the legislation alongside New London Mayor Michael Passero, noting that the bill would provide direct aid to New London in addressing vacant and blighted buildings. The bill was also introduced with the support of New London State Representatives Christine Conley and Anthony Nolan.
“New London is booming, but we have issues with vacant, condemned and blighted buildings in our main downtown areas,” said Sen. Marx. “This bill won’t just help New London with this issue, but communities around the state. It’s going to help clear up blight that’s holding back local economies, Main Streets and businesses. I’m excited to see it become law.”
House Bill 6892, “An Act Concerning Municipal Blight Ordinances And The Fine For Littering,” makes changes including: Expanding the communities in which abandoned and blighted property receiverships can be used by including any community with a population of at least 15,000; Expanding state and local authority to regulate blighted commercial properties in addition to residential ones; Increasing maximum daily penalties municipalities can assess for blight from $100 to $1,000 for repeat offenders; Increasing maximum state littering fine from $199 to $500; Eliminating certain notice requirements to lienholders when a municipality remediates or orders a property to be remediated under certain maintenance-related violations if that property has been cited at least three times in a year; Eliminating a requirement that mortgagees and lienholders participate in rent receivership proceedings to determine whether a receiver should be appointed.
Prior to this bill’s passage, current law provides a judicial process to appoint receivership to rehabilitate and dispose of abandoned properties in municipalities with populations of at least 35,000.
The bill previously passed the House by a vote of 108-43 in May, the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 30-7 in May, and the Planning and Development Committee by a 20-1 vote in March. It now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.
SENATOR RAHMAN LEADS PASSAGE OF BILL TO FIGHT BLIGHT
SENATOR RAHMAN LEADS PASSAGE OF BILL TO FIGHT BLIGHT
Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), Senate Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, led the Senate’s passage of legislation seeking to fight blight. The bill expands communities in which blighted property receiverships can be used; expands state and local authority to regulate blight; and increases fines for blight, as well as littering, among a number of other changes.
“There are a number of communities in our state with significant and serious blight. This bill will help expand their abilities to treat and mediate these properties,” said Sen. Rahman. “Commercial blight is a serious issue that can limit local economies and negatively impact property owners. I’m glad we’re taking action and passing legislation to aid them.”
House Bill 6892, “An Act Concerning Municipal Blight Ordinances And The Fine For Littering,” makes changes including: Expanding the communities in which abandoned and blighted property receiverships can be used by including any community with a population of at least 15,000; Expanding state and local authority to regulate blighted commercial properties in addition to residential ones; Increasing maximum daily penalties municipalities can assess for blight from $100 to $1,000 for repeat offenders; Increasing maximum state littering fine from $199 to $500; Eliminating certain notice requirements to lienholders when a municipality remediates or orders a property to be remediated under certain maintenance-related violations if that property has been cited at least three times in a year; Eliminating a requirement that mortgagees and lienholders participate in rent receivership proceedings to determine whether a receiver should be appointed.
Prior to this bill’s passage, current law provides a judicial process to appoint receivership to rehabilitate and dispose of abandoned properties in municipalities with populations of at least 35,000.
The bill previously passed the House by a vote of 108-43 in May, the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 30-7 in May, and the Planning and Development Committee by a 20-1 vote in March. It now heads to Governor Lamont’s desk to be signed into law.
State Senator Martha Marx Leads Senate Passage To Exempt Military Family Child Care From Licensing
State Senator Martha Marx Leads Senate Passage To Exempt Military Family Child Care From Licensing
Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London), Senate Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, led the Senate’s passage of legislation that will ease child care licensing requirements for care programs exclusively serving children of military members. This legislation is designed to make it easier for military families to provide such services on federal property, exempting families who already experience rigorous federal certifications from having to receive further licensure.
“This bill makes a simple fix that will make life easier for countless military families in Connecticut, cutting through regulations preventing organizations from providing child care to other families,” said Sen. Marx. “The exemption in question is for programs only serving children of military members administered on federal government or already certified by the military. It’s not a major legislative change, but it will provide major relief in making child care easier to access. That’s a win.”
House Bill 5049, “An Act Exempting From Licensing Requirements Certain Child Care Services For Children Of Members Of The United States Military,” exempts child care programs only serving military members’ children from state licensing requirements. Programs receiving exemptions are only those administered by the federal government or on federal property, or family child care providers certified by the Coast Guard or a Department of Defense military branch. Any exempted program must inform parents and guardians of children that it is not licensed to provide child care services.
The bill previously received support from the Office of Early Childhood, whose Commissioner Beth Bye said it would be “duplicative and burdensome” for care providers to require dual licensing from the military and state, adding that military spouses often lose money, time and opportunities to build careers due to frequent moves and that this would provide inroads for more child care infrastructure capacity in the state. The Department of Defense’s State Liaison Office also supported the bill, noting that spousal unemployment is a leading cause of active-duty decreased readiness and retention.
Before its passage in the Senate today, this bill passed the House unanimously in April and the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee unanimously in February. It now heads to the Governor’s office to be signed into law.
State Senator Norm Needleman Joins Senate Passage of Bill Promoting Student Success, Financial Transparency
State Senator Norm Needleman Joins Senate Passage of Bill Promoting Student Success, Financial Transparency
Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) voted for the State Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 1, a priority bill for Senate Democrats this year focused on educational improvements. Senate Bill 1 would advance several measures to promote student academic success and well-being including increasing transparency in how school districts spend funding, improving air quality in schools, and identifying strategies to improve school climate and prevent bullying.
“Investing in Connecticut education is vital and needed for our state’s youngest generations to learn and grow,” said Sen. Needleman. “This bill will make educational financial information more accessible and understandable, supporting future investments in communities. It will bring local foods from local farms into local schools. It will support new workforce development efforts and address school climates to give students stronger supports. It’s important, valuable policy that will benefit our state.”
Municipalities in Connecticut spent about $9.3 billion on education, not including school construction expenses paid for by the State of Connecticut, in fiscal year 2021. School districts are required to report financial data on certain expenditures to the Connecticut Department of Education. However, the nine categories to report data on are vague and broad, such as “Support Services – school based administration” (supplies), “Support Services – students” (employee benefits), and “Enterprise operations.” Senate Bill 1 will require greater information sharing and clear reports by school districts on spending to better target state investments in education.
In addition, SB 1 will develop guidelines for the improvement of air quality in classrooms. Poor indoor environmental quality in schools is a public health issue and with new guidelines put in place, students will have a better learning experience.
Furthermore, Senate Bill 1 addresses strategies to improve school climate and prevent bullying. School leaders will be required to implement evidence and research-based interventions, including, but not limited to, restorative practices, in the school community.
Under Senate Bill 1, there are several sections to help improve each school district around Connecticut.
Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility:
The State Department of Education (SDE) will be required to:
Publish data from the education financial system (EFS) reports and returns online sorted by EFS codes along with a guide to understand the codes.
Develop and publish the data in a way that allows comparison between districts and schools; Offer a training program for newly elected Board of Education members related to their responsibilities, duties, and obligations about school budgets and finance; Study virtual reality in instruction, including safety and responsible investment in tech and submit a report by January 2025; Establish an educator apprenticeship initiative to enable and pay students in educator preparation programs, residency programs, or alternate routes to gain classroom teaching experience; Require each school board to (1) submit its increasing educator diversity plan (referred to in current law as the minority educator recruitment plan) to the education commissioner by March 15, 2024, for review and approval and (2) implement its approved plan beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
Alliance Districts:
All alliance districts must have family resource center programs in each elementary school. Each alliance Board of Education member must submit an improvement plan to the department; The SDE must administer a grant for an alliance district to embed a professional chef to assist school meal programs in improving meal quality, diner satisfaction, and streamlining operations for a financially viable program. They will grant 5 of these awards at $150K each.
Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship Program:
Under this bill, the Minority Teacher Candidate Scholarship Program will be changed to the Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship Program and reduces the maximum annual grant amount from $20,000 to $10,000; This program will also establish an incremental scholarship repayment schedule if a recipient is not employed as a certified teacher and requires SDE to hire four staff members to administer the program.
Curriculums:
Adds cursive writing and world language to the K-8 model curriculum that SDE is currently developing; Allows school boards to award high school graduation credit for completing LEAP and other approved credit recovery programs.
Local Foods for Local Schools Program:
A program called, ‘Local Foods for Local Schools’ will be established which will reimburse schools for food that is bought from local farms.
Workforce Development:
Aerospace and Aviation Apprenticeship — allows local or regional boards of education (i.e., “boards of education”) to partner with local businesses to provide aerospace and aviation apprenticeship training programs to students; Pre-apprenticeship Grant — requires SDE, by January 1, 2024, to establish a preapprenticeship grant program for boards of education that include Department of Labor (DOL)-registered pre-apprenticeship programs in their high school curriculum; Dual Credit and Enrollment (esp. healthcare) — requires SDE, in partnership with boards of education and public higher education institutions, to expand opportunities for dual credit and dual enrollment for high school students, including courses required for health care occupations.
School Nurses:
Requires each school nurse to biennially complete at least 15 hours of school board-approved professional development programs or activities.
School Climate:
For school years 2023-24 and 2024-45, each BOE may adopt school climate policy. For school year 2025-2026 and beyond, they will need to adopt and implement school climate policy. For the school year 2025-2026 and beyond, the superintendent of schools or an administrator appointed by the superintendent will be each school’s school climate coordinator. They will need to:
provide district-level leadership and support for the implementation of the school climate improvement plan for each school; collaborate with the school climate specialist to develop a continuum of strategies to prevent, identify and respond to challenging behavior like bullying, and communicate strategies via tools like the school handbook; collect and maintain data regarding school climate improvement; meet with the school climate specialist for each school at least twice during the school year to: identify strategies to improve school climate, propose recommendations for revisions to the school climate improvement plan, and assist with the completion of the school climate survey
Principals of each school or their qualified designees will need to:
lead in the prevention, identification and response to challenging behavior, including, but not limited to, reports of alleged bullying and harassment,
implement evidence and research-based interventions; schedule meetings for and leading the school climate committee; lead the implementation of the school climate improvement plan
The school climate specialist will appoint members to the school climate committee who are racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse. The committee will be responsible for:
assisting in the development, annual scheduling and administration of the school climate survey; using the school climate survey data to identify strengths and challenges to improve school climate, and to create or propose revisions to the school climate improvement plan; assisting in the implementation of the school climate improvement plan and recommending any improvements or revisions to the plan; advising on strategies to improve school climate and implementing evidence and research-based interventions, including, but not limited to, restorative practices, in the school community; annually providing notice of the uniform bullying complaint form; engaging the school community, at community meetings at least twice during the school year
The school climate committee will administer a school climate survey to students, school employees and families of students. The school climate specialist and school climate coordinator will develop a school climate improvement plan, which will be submitted to the school climate coordinator for review. It will then be used to mitigate and respond to challenging behavior.
Air Quality:
The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) will need to develop an air quality reporting form to be used by BOEs during inspections. They will also need to develop a heating and A/C reporting form; Each BOE will have to inspect air quality in each building in addition to heat and A/C and be published on the DAS website; The Department of Public Health (DPH) will need to develop guidelines regarding an optimal thermal comfort range between 65-80 degrees for schools, except gyms and natatoriums which can have a wider range.
Senator Hochadel Applauds Passage of No-Excuses Voting Resolution And Early Voting Bill
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
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
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
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
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
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.