Office of the Secretary of the State

Connecticut Secretary of the State Homeless Voter Fact Sheet

Important Connecticut Election Dates and Deadlines

Am I eligible to vote in CT?

  • Are you at least 17 and turning 18 on or before election day?

  • Are you a United States citizen and a bona fide resident of some town in Connecticut?

  • If you have been convicted of a felony, have you completed confinement?

    Restoring Voting Rights of Convicted Felons (English)
    Como Restaurar tu Derecho de Votar (Español)

    (Please note: If your conviction involved a violation of election law, then you should check with the Division of Criminal Justice before you attempt to register.)

If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, you are eligible to vote in CT.

 

How do I register to vote in CT?

There are two different ways you can register to vote in CT. You are able to register online at myvote.ct.gov/register if you have a Connecticut Driver’s License or a non-driver ID. Otherwise, you are able to complete a paper registration card and deliver it to your local Registrar of Voters before the registration deadlines. CT also has Election Day Registration available. Visit myvote.ct.gov for more information.

 

How can a homeless person be a resident of a town in CT?

Courts have said that an individual is a resident of a town if they have some nexus to that particular town, and there is an intention to return to that town when absent from it. This could be a town that you have spent time in, slept in, and intend to go back to, even if you are not presently there.

 

What is an acceptable form of identification for to show at the polls?

Photo Identification is not required. For most voters, your identification must fit one of the following requirements for it to be accepted as a valid form of ID at the polls: name and address, or name and signature, or name and photograph.

However, for voters who are voting for the first time, and lacked proper identification when registering, some additional types of identification may be required. Contact your local registrar of voters’ office or visit our FAQ - Voter Identification page for more information on ID requirements.

 

I am unable to vote on Election Day. Can I still to vote?

Any citizen has the right to cast their vote by absentee ballot if they meet one of the following reasons: You are an active member of the armed forces of the US; you will be out of town during all hours of voting on election day; your illness prevents you from voting in person on election day; your religious beliefs prevent you from voting on election day; you are preforming duties as an election official at a polling location other than your own; you have a physical disability that prevents you from voting in person on election day. Visit myvote.ct.gov, for more information and links to the application.

 

What is the difference between my physical and mailing address?

Your physical address determines where you vote, not your mailing address. A mailing address is the place where you are able to receive mail and your physical address is where you are located. For example, your mailing address could be a local shelter or post office, while your physical address could be a particular place such as a park bench. You must be responsible to check for mail at the address provided.  A registration confirmation letter will be mailed to you once you are registered. Visit myvote.ct.gov, for more info.

 

What happens if I miss one of the registration deadlines? Can I still register and vote on the day of the election (Election Day Registration)?

You may register and vote in person on election day if you meet the eligibility requirements for voting in this state and you are not already registered, or you are registered in one town and want to change your registration because you currently reside in another town. Election Day Registration (EDR) is not available at your polling place. Contact your local registrar of voter’s office for information about your town’s designated EDR location and ID requirements. You will need to provide proof of identity and residency. Visit myvote.ct.gov for more information.

For links and more detailed information please visit myvote.ct.gov.

This material is designed to provide basic information to the voters of Connecticut and is not meant to be a comprehensive review of Connecticut election law. Please contact the Secretary of the State at (860) 509-6100 if you have specific questions, concerns or complaints.