Press Release
Connecticut Director to Retire After Strengthening Voting Rights
National government watchdog, Common Cause, announced the retirement of Cheri Quickmire, who led the Connecticut office for 18 years.
Press
Media Contacts
Katie Scally
Communications Director
kscally@commoncause.org
408-205-1257
Common Cause’s network of national and state democracy reform experts are frequent media commentators. To talk with one of our experts, please reach out to any member of the press team above.
News Clip
Thomas, Rapini talk laws, integrity in CT Secretary of State debate
"The two leading candidates vying to become Connecticut’s next Secretary of the State, Democrat Stephanie Thomas and Republican Dominic Rapini, met Tuesday night to debate how the state operates its elections and how voters can access the ballot.
The meeting offered a clear picture of the differences between the two campaigns and their beliefs on early voting, absentee ballots, voter identification laws..."
The meeting offered a clear picture of the differences between the two campaigns and their beliefs on early voting, absentee ballots, voter identification laws..."
News Clip
A look at efforts to ease Connecticut’s “restrictive” voting laws
Common Cause in Connecticut executive director Cheri Quickmire also joins.
Common Cause was one of several advocacy organizations that has pushed for updates to Connecticut's voting protocols, signing a letter to Governor Lamont and legislators earlier this year.
They wrote, "Despite Connecticut’s progressive reputation, there are still discriminatory barriers to equal participation in our democracy for voters of color and people whose first language is not English, particularly at the local level. In fact,...
Common Cause was one of several advocacy organizations that has pushed for updates to Connecticut's voting protocols, signing a letter to Governor Lamont and legislators earlier this year.
They wrote, "Despite Connecticut’s progressive reputation, there are still discriminatory barriers to equal participation in our democracy for voters of color and people whose first language is not English, particularly at the local level. In fact,...
Press Release
New Results: Common Cause Releases “Our Democracy 2022” Candidate Surveys for First Election Since January 6th
News Clip
CT is one of only four states without early voting – the former secretary of the state is trying to change that
“I couldn’t really walk away from this,” said Merrill, who expects to work with another group that filed with the SEEC last month called Vote for Democracy. Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, the election watchdog who is a member of that group, said she expects Vote for Democracy to work hand-in-hand with Yes for Freedom to Vote Early.
“We’re looking forward to combining our efforts and make sure this amendment passes at the ballot box and comes back to the General Assembly to hammer...
“We’re looking forward to combining our efforts and make sure this amendment passes at the ballot box and comes back to the General Assembly to hammer...
News Clip
Denise Merrill (opinion): It’s time for CT to say ‘yes’ to early voting
It’s no secret that numerous states are actively taking steps to impede voting access for millions of Americans, which will discourage voting, create more bureaucratic barriers, and depress voter turnout. In recent years Connecticut has taken a different and better path — rightly addressing restrictive laws and making voting easier for all eligible Connecticut citizens.
News Clip
CT Viewpoints: Early voting will open the polls to more CT voters
Can’t find childcare – it’s hard to vote. Have an unexpected business meeting in Manhattan that pops up on your calendar – it’s hard to vote. Work two jobs – it’s hard to vote. Taking care of your elderly family member – it’s hard to vote.
Establishing an early voting period is a move that addresses both voter equity and accessibility by allowing a longer time frame for you to vote.
Establishing an early voting period is a move that addresses both voter equity and accessibility by allowing a longer time frame for you to vote.
News Clip
Early election voting on the table as state officials target Connecticut’s restrictive voting rules
“This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat issue, this is about ensuring all Connecticut voters have the freedom and the ability to vote in elections,” Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, said, adding that he has seen people in scrubs get out of their cars on Election Day, saw how long the lines were, and left.
Press Release
Common Cause Releases 2022 “Democracy Scorecard” Showing Growing Support in Congress for Democracy Reform
“Our democracy is strongest when constituents are informed about the job our elected leaders are doing in Washington,” said Cheri Quickmire, Executive Director of Common Cause Connecticut.
Press Release
80+ Candidates Go on Record about Proposed Election Changes
“Connecticut voters deserve the absolute best version of democracy. Knowing where your candidates stand on these issues is the first step toward making Connecticut a leader in the freedom to vote.”
News Clip
Report finds 16 Connecticut legislators have joined ‘far-right’ Facebook groups
While Connecticut conservatives haven’t been so bold as elected officials in red states, their enrollment in the Facebook groups indicates the need for more public vigilance, said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of the election watchdog Common Cause in Connecticut.
“Extremism isn’t only in certain states like Florida and Arkansas, but it’s alive in Connecticut,” Quickmire said Friday while reviewing the report. “I find this disturbing.” She recalled the controversy last year over the teaching of American...
“Extremism isn’t only in certain states like Florida and Arkansas, but it’s alive in Connecticut,” Quickmire said Friday while reviewing the report. “I find this disturbing.” She recalled the controversy last year over the teaching of American...
News Clip
CT GOP endorses a social moderate, Themis Klarides, for U.S. Senate
"Republicans also expect a three-way primary for secretary of the state. Dominic A. Rapini of Branford won the endorsement, trailed by Brock L. Weber of New Britain and Rep. Terrie Wood of Darien."
News Clip
CT Democrats diversify in picks for treasurer and secretary of the state
"Rep. Stephanie Thomas got the endorsement for secretary of the state after several frantic hours of lobbying and vote-swapping at the Democratic convention in Hartford on Saturday. (...)
She defeated an accomplished list of candidates including Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown, Rep. Hilda Santiago of Meriden, Rep. Joshua Elliott of Hamden and New Haven’s Health Director Maritza Bond. (...)
All three Democratic candidates for state treasurer, and four of the five candidates for secretary of the state, earned a spot on the primary...
She defeated an accomplished list of candidates including Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown, Rep. Hilda Santiago of Meriden, Rep. Joshua Elliott of Hamden and New Haven’s Health Director Maritza Bond. (...)
All three Democratic candidates for state treasurer, and four of the five candidates for secretary of the state, earned a spot on the primary...