Jorge Cabrera

Sen. Cabrera Gives Final Approval to Early Voting Bill

HARTFORD – State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) this evening gave final passage to House Bill 5004, “AN ACT IMPLEMENTING EARLY VOTING,” which establishes a framework for early, in-person voting for all general elections, primaries, and special elections in Connecticut held on or after January 1, 2024.

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

“We know Connecticut voters want increased access at the polls and with today’s vote we provided them with the access many other states already provide their residents,” said Sen. Cabrera, “Both no-excuse absentee ballot voting and early voting enables more people to participate in their democracy and choose the leaders that govern their communities. As someone who came from a working-class family, I know how challenging it can be complete the day’s tasks at work and home and find time to get to the polls on a Tuesday in November. Today, we’ve strengthened our democracy by removing the roadblocks that make voting unnecessarily harder and I’m proud to vote yes.”

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.