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Elections  |  Candidates & Elected Officials  |  Legislative Process  |  Engagement & Participation

Elections: Be Ready to Vote

• Register to vote

There are several ways to register, including online at MyVote.CT.gov/register if you have a Connecticut driver’s license with a signature on file, at the DMV or other voter registration agencies, or by submitting a paper voter registration form to your town’s Registrar of Voters

• Determine if you want to be enrolled in a party (e.g. Republican, Democrat, Working Families Party, Independent Party, Green Party, etc.)
  
  In order to vote in a primary election in Connecticut, you must be enrolled in the party holding the primary. If you are not in a party, the term used in Connecticut is Unaffiliated. Be sure to check your party enrollment several months before each primary election to ensure you are enrolled properly.
  
  
• Vote in every election!
  
  In Connecticut, there is an election every year. Election Day is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In Connecticut, municipal offices, such as Mayor, First Selectman, and Board of Education, are elected in odd-numbered years and state and federal offices, such as President, Governor, Congress, and the General Assembly, are elected in even-numbered years.
  
  
• Understand key dates related to elections
  
  Election laws change from time to time, and this can cause shifts in the election calendar. For example, there are specific dates when someone is allowed to register or change party enrollment. You may find all key election dates each year on Connecticut’s election calendar by visiting MyVote.CT.gov and clicking on the “Important Election Dates and Deadlines” link.
  
  
• Know when polls are open for each election
  
  During most days of early voting, you may vote between 10 am and 6 pm. There are extended hours of 8 am to 8 pm for some elections. On Election Day, polling places are open from 6 am to 8 pm. Know before you go by checking the hours at MyVote.CT.gov.
  
  
• Know where to vote for each election
  
  Early voting locations differ from your Election Day polling place. Polling places may also change from election to election. Prepare for each election by looking up your voting location at MyVote.CT.gov/lookup.
  
  
• Make a plan to vote
  
  Making a plan to vote in advance of the election is a great way to avoid last minute emergencies or a busy schedule derailing you. In Connecticut, there are three ways to vote: Early Voting in-person, by absentee ballot if you qualify, or in-person on Election Day.
  
  
• Understand who may vote and how to vote by absentee ballot
  
  In Connecticut, before voting by absentee ballot, you must sign under penalty of law that you would be unable to vote in person on Election Day due to one of six reasons which can be found at MyVote.CT.gov/absentee.
  
  If you determine you will vote via absentee ballot, you must first apply for the ballot. You can apply in person with your City/Town Clerk or online at MyVote.CT.Gov/getmyab. Absentee ballots are mailed to eligible voters before each election once they are ready. When you receive yours, follow the instructions to vote. Then return the ballot in its envelope to your City/Town Clerk by mail or in person, or you can drop it off in a secure drop box in your town/city.
  
  
• View your sample ballot before Election Day at MyVote.CT.gov/sampleballots
  
  One of the best ways to prepare to vote is to take a look at your town’s sample ballot. Each town and city in Connecticut are responsible for producing its own ballot. And all ballots must be uploaded to the MyVote.CT.gov website prior to each election. Viewing your town’s sample ballot is a great way to see the list of candidates running, as well as any ballot questions you may need to vote on. Questions can sometimes be complicated, so having time to research the issue(s) before you go vote can be very helpful.
  
  
• Follow the Connecticut Secretary of the State on social media for election updates
  
  The office of the Secretary of the State administers elections. The office therefore assists in educating and informing Connecticut voters about upcoming election dates and deadlines.

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