Derek Slap

Sen. Slap Votes to Expand Absentee Ballots Through November 3

HARTFORD —Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) today joined his Democratic Senate colleagues in passing a bill early this morning that will help voters going to the polls this summer and fall – particularly voters in Farmington who will go to the polls in June to vote on a long-discussed new high school referendum.

Senate Bill 901 extends through November 3 certain changes that were made to state law for the 2020 elections due to the deadly COVID-19 viral pandemic. The bill expands the reasons people can use to vote by absentee ballot to include public health concerns. The bill also requires town clerks to designate secure drop boxes and authorizes municipalities to conduct certain absentee ballot pre-counting procedures.

“While COVID-19 transmission rates are lower than they were six months ago, the pandemic is still here, and many folks have legitimate concerns about congregating in public,” Sen. Slap said. “This bill will help ensure that every registered voter in Farmington can vote safely and securely.”

“Across the nation recently, we have seen a wave of attempts to limit people’s right to vote. I’m pleased we took action to make the ability to vote more accessible here in Connecticut,” said state Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain), who also represents a portion of Farmington. “It’s important that we continue to give voters greater flexibility in deciding how they want to cast their ballot and participate in the electoral process.”

SB 901 passed the state Senate just after midnight on a purely partisan 24-12 vote, with Republicans unanimously opposed. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.