Press Releases
01/08/2025
Jennifer Barahona Sworn in as Deputy Secretary of the State of Connecticut
(Hartford, CT) – Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas is proud to announce that Jennifer Barahona has been officially sworn in as Deputy Secretary of the State of Connecticut.
Barahona brings a wealth of leadership experience to the office, with an extensive background in managing programs and organizations. Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Norwalk ACTS, where she led the organization through significant growth and impact, fostering collaboration among educators, community organizations, and businesses to advance equity and opportunity for children and families in the region. Prior to that, Barahona spent six years leading the Newtown Sandy Hook Community Foundation.
“I am thrilled to appoint Jennifer Barahona as Deputy Secretary of the State,” said Secretary Thomas. “Jennifer's leadership and administrative expertise make her the perfect choice to help continue our implementation of critical reforms, including the statewide rollout of new voting tabulators in 2025. With additional projects such as automatic voter registration, the Connecticut Voting Rights Act, universal access to absentee ballots, and risk-limiting audits anticipated by 2026, her dedication to fostering collaboration and driving meaningful change will be a tremendous asset to our office.”
“I am honored to accept this appointment and eager to contribute to the important work of the Secretary of the State’s Office,” shared Deputy Barahona. “From ensuring fair elections to supporting small businesses, this office plays a vital role in the lives of Connecticut residents. I look forward to helping implement critical initiatives, including new election infrastructure and voter engagement programs, to strengthen our democracy.”
Deputy Barahona replaces Deputy Jacqueline Kozin, who served from 2023 to 2025. Deputy Kozin departed to pursue new professional opportunities. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the rollout of early voting and navigating the RFP process for the state’s new voting machines. In addition, she led an award-winning social media campaign on trusted information ahead of the 2024 general election and helped foster a sense of community within the office.
Swearing in of new Deputy Secretary of the State, Jennifer Barahona
Stephanie Thomas and Jennifer Barahona
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