Why Do I Have to Sign My Name When I Vote Early

Secretary of the State's Office responds to voter questions about Early Voting signature requirement

(Hartford, Connecticut) — Since Early Voting began on October 19, the Office of the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) have received numerous questions and complaints from voters confused about why they are being required to sign their names before casting their ballots.

The answer: Connecticut law requires everyone who votes early to sign this affirmation.

The requirement is not new. Previously, voters signed the affirmation on the outside of their Early Voting ballot envelopes. This year, voters place their completed ballots directly into tabulators instead of envelopes, so the affirmation is signed separately.

"If you've voted on Election Day for 30 years and never had to sign anything like this, I understand why you'd have questions," said Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas. "Depending on the municipality, voters may see the affirmation in a logbook or on a separate sheet. Either way, your signature is kept separate from your ballot, and the affirmation does not reveal how you voted.”

The requirement is established under Connecticut General Statutes § 9-163aa(e), as amended by Public Act 26-1.

For official election information, visit MyVote.CT.gov.

###

Contact: Matthew Clyburn
Matthew.Clyburn@CT.gov
(959) 274-6725