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.
Press Release
In Last Hours of Legislative Session, Pro-Voter Bills Still Need to be Passed
Both bills received near-unanimous support during their public hearings, and both bills were reported favorably out of Committee more than a month ago but have not yet received a vote in either chamber.
News Clip
Civil Rights groups, leaders call for passage of bill that protects against voting discrimination
HARTFORD, Conn — With about two weeks left in the general session, voter advocate organizations and leaders gathered outside the state Capitol on Thursday to urge lawmakers to pass a voter's rights act in Connecticut.
"This bill gives Connecticut the strongest protection against voting discrimination of any state law ever," explained Steven Lance, Policy Counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Advocates explained that SB 471 could be a huge step forward, especially for communities of color.
"This bill gives Connecticut the strongest protection against voting discrimination of any state law ever," explained Steven Lance, Policy Counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Advocates explained that SB 471 could be a huge step forward, especially for communities of color.
Press Release
Civil Rights Coalition and Connecticut Legislators Join Together in Calling for Passage of Voting Rights Bill S.B. 471
“It will be nine long years in June since the Supreme Court gutted key provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act. In the absence of Senate action to fix the law, it’s time for the states to act instead."
News Clip
Candidates in the race for Connecticut Secretary of the State differ on allowing prisoners to vote
"Several Democrats and an independent running for the open seat of Secretary of the State are divided on how far Connecticut should expand access to voting.
During an online forum organized by the liberal advocacy group Common Cause, the candidates were asked if they would support ballot access for people behind bars..."
During an online forum organized by the liberal advocacy group Common Cause, the candidates were asked if they would support ballot access for people behind bars..."
News Clip
Secretary of the State candidates discuss, early voting, ranked-choice
"All the candidates supported the Voting Rights Act bill that moved out of committee this week. The bill aims to remove barriers to voting that impact people of color and other social-equity impediments.
'Voter suppression is not just a problem in Georgia, Alabama and Texas,' said Lesser, who wrote the bill. 'Some municipalities have problems, they run out of ballots, there are inadequate instructions on voter requirements, and redistricting. This bill will change a lot and provide a real opportunity.'"
'Voter suppression is not just a problem in Georgia, Alabama and Texas,' said Lesser, who wrote the bill. 'Some municipalities have problems, they run out of ballots, there are inadequate instructions on voter requirements, and redistricting. This bill will change a lot and provide a real opportunity.'"
Press Release
Forum for Secretary of the State Candidates Hosted by Common Cause in Connecticut
Issues covered during the forum included: a Ban on Foreign Spending on State Ballot Referendums; a Connecticut Voting Rights Act; legislation to create a task force to study the implementation of Ranked Choice Voting in Connecticut; implementation of Early voting if approved by voters on November 8, 2022; Risk-Limiting Audits; and Restoration of Voting Rights to Incarcerated Voters.
News Clip
Absentee Ballot Bill Headed To Governor’s Desk
The state Senate gave final passage Wednesday to a bill expanding the conditions under which Connecticut voters can qualify for an absentee ballot, making mail-in voting easier for commuters and residents worried about illnesses.
The Senate sent the bill to the governor’s desk on a 30 to 4 vote Wednesday afternoon. The House approved the legislation on a bipartisan basis last week.
Although Connecticut’s constitution contains language explicitly outlining a handful of excuses a voter must use in order to...
The Senate sent the bill to the governor’s desk on a 30 to 4 vote Wednesday afternoon. The House approved the legislation on a bipartisan basis last week.
Although Connecticut’s constitution contains language explicitly outlining a handful of excuses a voter must use in order to...
Press Release
75 Grassroots Leaders, Groups Urge Legislative Leaders to Pass ‘Freedom to Vote’ Agenda
“Connecticut voters deserve the absolute best version of democracy; that’s why we – a coalition of good government groups and other organizations who share this vision – are writing today to strongly urge our legislative leaders to prioritize these three ‘freedom to vote’ reforms from day one of the 2022 regular legislative session.”
News Clip
Daily Beast: The One State That Could Actually Expand Voting Rights
“We do have a right to vote that’s constitutionally guaranteed, but the state constitution prevents early voting and no-excuse absentee voting, reducing the ability of a lot of eligible voters to vote,” said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of the Connecticut chapter of Common Cause, a nonprofit watchdog group that works to promote equal access to government and the vote. “This is really an opportunity for the state to extend that opportunity for more people to actually be able to vote—it is really about securing our democracy.”
News Clip
Connecticut Supreme Court adopts expert’s redistricting plan
the Connecticut State Supreme Court has adopted a congressional redistricting plan, submitted by the court’s hired expert.
The new map makes mostly minor changes to the boundaries of the state’s five districts to accommodate population changes.
The new map makes mostly minor changes to the boundaries of the state’s five districts to accommodate population changes.
News Clip
CT News Junkie: Democratic Lawmakers Plan Quick Action on Absentee Ballot Voting
Democratic legislative leaders may expedite a bill in the next several weeks to allow expanded absentee ballot voting in this year’s elections, mirroring temporary policies adopted during the past two years as a result of the COVID pandemic.
“Voting is the fundamental right underlying our entire democracy,” majority Democrats said in a joint statement Wednesday. “While other states are restricting voting rights, we will take action to ensure that everyone that was able to vote before COVID will continue to be able to...
“Voting is the fundamental right underlying our entire democracy,” majority Democrats said in a joint statement Wednesday. “While other states are restricting voting rights, we will take action to ensure that everyone that was able to vote before COVID will continue to be able to...
News Clip
Stamford Advocate: COVID cannot be used for absentee ballots in CT special elections
“This is another example of why we need no-excuse absentee voting,” said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, the voter-advocacy and elections watchdog organization.
Quickmire said Wednesday that last year, the state had a chance to put a constitutional amendment supporting universal mail-in balloting on the 2022 ballot, but it did not get enough Republican support to reach the 75-percent super majority.
Quickmire said Wednesday that last year, the state had a chance to put a constitutional amendment supporting universal mail-in balloting on the 2022 ballot, but it did not get enough Republican support to reach the 75-percent super majority.