Fox 61: Public speaks out on early voting proposals in Connecticut

This article originally appeared in FOX 61 on February 22, 2023 and was written by Emma Wulfhorst.  

Below is an excerpt from an article published following the public hearing before the legislative Government Administration & Elections Committee on the implementation of early voting.

Connecticut is currently one of only four states without early voting, but that will soon change.

“It is time for Connecticut to catch up and be at the forefront of sustaining democratic institutions,” said Yale student Nicole Chen during the hearing.

Voters passed an amendment in November, changing the state constitution to allow the legislature to pass laws to implement early in-person voting.

Now lawmakers are deciding what that will actually look like in Connecticut.

Multiple bill proposals were taken up at Wednesday’s Government Administration and Elections Committee hearing. Legislators heard public testimony on seven different measures regarding early voting and no-excuse absentee ballots.

“One of the reasons why we’ve had multiple bills in committee on early voting is that we want to give people options,” said committee co-chair Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford).

Proposals range up to 18 days of early voting. Blumenthal said lawmakers are leaning toward 14, but the Secretary of the State is recommending 10 days.

To read the full article, click here.