Office of the Secretary of the State

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Denise W. Merrill Secretary of the State Connecticut - Seal

06/03/2021

Secretary Merrill Statement on the Passage of the Universal Access to Absentee Ballots Constitutional Amendment

“As Florida, Texas, and other states across the country roll back voting rights and make it harder for their citizens to vote, Connecticut is doing the opposite. The constitutional amendment allowing universal access to absentee ballots, combined with the amendment allowing Early Voting that voters will vote on in 2022, are among the largest expansions in the ability of Connecticut voters to cast their ballots in our state’s history.

“For too long Connecticut has tacitly accepted unnecessary obstacles to voting in the Land of Steady Habits. When other states made voting more convenient through Early Voting and universal access to absentee ballots without an excuse, Connecticut has stayed the course, resulting 21st century voters casting their ballots in an 19th century system.

“Although it is unfortunate that there was not enough Republican support to let voters decide on this amendment on the 2022 ballot, the legislature will vote again on this question after the 2022 election, and voters will have their say in 2024.

“Even though the process can be slow, too slow in this case, ultimately Connecticut voters will be able to cast their ballots by the method of their choosing – by absentee ballot without needing an excuse, in-person at their convenience before Election Day, or in a polling place on Election Day.”

  • Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill

HJ-58 A Resolution Proposing A State Constitutional Amendment To Allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting passed both chambers of the legislature with a majority of the vote, but less than a 3/4 supermajority, so it must be voted on again by both chambers of the legislature that is elected in 2022 and seated in January of 2023. That vote can take place in 2023 or 2024. Should the legislature pass the amendment again, the question that will go on the 2024 ballot is as follows:

“Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”

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