News Clips

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 legislation passed the House on a 103 to 44 vote, with nine Republicans joining the Democrats in support. In order for the question to have appeared on the November 2022 ballot, the resolution needed 75% of the chamber’s support. The resolution now awaits action in the Senate. (...) “It’s time to make this commonsense measure permanent. If the legislature doesn’t pass the no-excuse absentee ballot resolution this session, voters will quickly lose the rights they gained just months ago,” Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, said in a statement.

HARTFORD — The often-emotional nationwide political battle over ballot access reached the state Capitol on Thursday, but the House of Representatives, in a bipartisan vote, approved legislation that could change the Connecticut Constitution and create procedures for early voting.

Legislators, faith leaders and activists gathered outside Hamden Town Hall to demand the passage of two pieces of voting rights legislation.