Press Releases
04/07/2021
Secretary Merrill, Senator Cabrera Support Constitutional Amendments Allowing Early Voting and Expanding Access to Absentee Ballots
"Today we stand up in support of new laws that make it easier for Connecticut voters to cast their ballots," said Sen. Cabrera. "Early voting, no excuse absentee ballot voting, drop boxes, making it easier to register to vote – all these measures make our government stronger and help busy residents have a voice in who represents them in the legislature. It is in the best interest of Connecticut residents and our democracy that we do all we can to make voting easier."
The constitutional amendment for Early Voting is HJ 59 and the constitutional amendment for expanding access to absentee ballots is HJ 58. The Early Voting constitutional amendment passed through the Connecticut General Assembly in 2019 so if it passes again it would go on the 2022 ballot for voters to decide. The constitutional amendment to expand access to absentee ballots has not been voted on by the General Assembly before. If it passes each chamber with a 75% supermajority, it would go on the 2022 ballot for voters to decide; If it passes each chamber with a simple majority, it would need to be voted on again by the legislature elected in 2022 and, if passed again, would go on the 2024 ballot for voters to decide.
The constitutional amendments would allow the legislature to pass legislation allowing Early Voting and/or expanding absentee ballot access to all voters without the voter needing to provide an excuse; the amendments would only remove the restrictions from the Connecticut Constitution.
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