Voting Rights

The promise of a special session offers a potential lifeline for any number of bills that do not pass before the deadline of midnight tonight. For instance, [Speaker of the House] Ritter said SB 5 would be included in the eventual implementer bill. That proposal, a host of updates to Connecticut voting laws, passed the Senate but was never raised by the House. Ritter said that might not be the only thing that comes back. “We’ll be going over the list of things that both chambers want,” [Senate President] Looney said of the coming special session. “But certainly Senate Bill 5 is a high priority for us.”

The Senate voted 27-9 Thursday night for final passage of a resolution that opens a multi-year process for voters to decide if the state Constitution should be amended to increase the General Assembly’s discretion over the use of absentee ballots. At issue is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to authorize no-excuse absentee voting. Connecticut’s rules for absentee voting are among the most restrictive in the U.S. and they are enshrined in its constitution.

The Connecticut Senate has approved HJ 59, a constitutional amendment to allow early in-person voting. It will now be placed on the 2022 General Election ballot. If a majority of voters approve the amendment, Connecticut will allow early voting.

Senate Bill 5 to Implement Automatic Voter Registration, Restore Voting Rights for People on Parole & More

While some state legislatures are trying to limit voter participation, our General Assembly is working to reduce barriers and improve voting access. The bill passed today is an important part of that effort, and we urge the House to approve it quickly.