News Clips

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

As states across the country attempt to roll back voting rights and protections, Connecticut must lead the way in protecting the right to vote. But Connecticut has a lot of work to do – as the Center for Public Integrity recently observed, Connecticut has among the most restrictive voting laws outside of the south. Communities of color in Connecticut routinely face long lines and other obstacles when voting. It’s past time we correct these issues and ensure that voters of color, and indeed all voters, are free from voter suppression and intimidation, and have a fair and equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. Recently, the Connecticut legislature held a public hearing on the Connecticut Voting Rights Act (Senate Bill 820 or the CTVRA), introduced by State Sen. Matt Lesser, which, if enacted, would make Connecticut a national leader in protecting the right to vote for communities of color, and indeed all voters.

"The legislature needs to act quickly to pass House Joint Resolution 58 which will begin the process of amending the state constitution. Doing so will allow voters to vote more conveniently, as was the case when more than 650,000 Connecticut residents voted by absentee ballot in the November 2020 election."

Connecticut has $8.5 million to update its voting system, but it will be up to lawmakers to improve access to the ballot. When it comes to voting rights, Connecticut is still one of the most restrictive states in the nation, according to election officials. “It’s embarrassing we are so far behind other states,” Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said. Election officials say there are 44 states that allow no-excuse absentee ballots or early voting, or both. “We are not a state that allows easy access for the voters to vote,” Merrill said.