Vote like your life depends on it.
​Vote like your future depends on it.

The CTLCV Education Fund partnered with the NAACP Youth and College Division to raise voter awareness. Through a combined effort of digital ads, social media campaigns, and a series of phonebanks, we are working to provide resources to voters so that every Connecticut voter can have their voice heard and their vote counted.

TIPS FOR VOTING IN PERSON:

• Plan ahead, allow plenty of time, dress warmly, and wear a mask!
• Bring identification or proof of residency in the Town where you are voting. 
        NOTE: You can still vote without identification!
• If you have received your Absentee Ballot, you can still choose to vote in person.
• If you are already in line by 8PM, you can still vote.
• Report any attempts at voter intimidation to the Election Protection Hotline. Call (866) 687-8683

For more information on voting in CT (English and Spanish) visit the Secretary of State website:
https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Fact-Sheet or call your Town Clerk.

To understand what you can expect on Election Day, visit: What to Expect at the Polls on Election Day and What to Do if You Encounter Voter Intimidation.

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You Can VOTE by Absentee Ballot!

Drop your Absentee Ballot off in the Official Election Box at your Town Hall. 

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ABSENTEE BALLOT CHECKLIST

1. Am I registered to vote in Connecticut?
​2. How can I get an Absentee Ballot application?
3. What procedures do I need to follow to fill out my Absentee Ballot?
4. How can I track my Absentee Ballot?
5. How can I get more involved in Connecticut's voting rights?

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TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN CONNECTICUT YOU MUST:

• Be a United States citizen;
• Be a resident of a Connecticut town;
• Be at least 17 years old (must turn 18 on or before Election Day); 17 year olds, who will tune 18 on or before election day may participate in the general primary;
• Have completed confinement and parole if previously convicted of a disenfranchising felony.
• Register to vote here

You can register online, by mail or in person. Learn more at voterregistration.ct.gov

ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS

At the beginning of September, applications are mailed to every registered voter (Democrat, Republican, Unaffiliated and Third Party) by the Secretary of the State. Follow the steps below to vote by Absentee Ballot and ensure your vote is counted.

Step One
When you get your Application to Request an Absentee Ballot, fill it out immediately! You can decide later if you want to vote Absentee or In-Person. You can also download a Spanish application.

Step Two
Return it to the Absentee Ballot Drop Box at the Town Hall where you reside or mail it in. 

Step Three
Your Application will be processed and an Absentee Ballot will be mailed to you. Vote Early to help your Town Clerks with processing the ballots.

Step Four
Use this link to track your Application and your Ballot: myvote.ct.gov/lookup

PLEASE NOTE: It’s preferable to use the Application for an Absentee Ballot form sent by the SOTS because it is barcoded and can be scanned by the Town Clerk. This will expedite the process. ​

If you do not receive an application form to request an Absentee Ballot from the SOTS in the mail, verify that you are still registered to vote, or if you’re a first time voter or newly registered voter, you can download an Application to Request an Absentee Ballot in English or Spanish and get answers to your questions here: myvote.ct.gov, or call your Town Clerk.

ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCEDURES

Please note the key points below when voting absentee. The majority of rejected ballots are for not following these procedures. Races can be won or lost by just a handful of votes per precinct!

One
The deadline for withdrawing an absentee ballot is several days prior to election day. This enables voters to vote in-person at their polling station on election day.

Two
Unopened Absentee Ballots may be sorted into voting districts and checked by Town Clerks beginning 14 days before election. Ballots are then turned over to and secured by Registrars of Voters.

Three
Pre-processing of Absentee Ballots by Registrars of Voters may begin before election day. This is the point where Absentee Ballots most often get rejected, because of one or more of the following:​

• Voter doesn’t sign the statement on the inner envelope. Do sign the statement on the outside of the inner envelope.
• Voter doesn’t seal the inner envelope. Make sure to seal the inner envelope.
• Household members put more than one ballot in the same envelope— DON’T DO THAT. Each ballot needs to go in separate envelopes and be mailed separately.

Four
Return your Ballot to the Absentee Ballot Drop Box ASAP outside your Town Hall. It is the most safe and secure way to cast your vote. Ballots will be counted beginning on election day. 

Five
Track your ballot here: myvote.ct.gov/lookup

VOTE AS SOON AS YOU GET YOUR BALLOT.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

CALL: 860-236-5442      EMAIL:  info@ctlcv.org

CTLCVEF SUPPORTS ABSENTEE VOTING IN ELECTIONS

COVID-19 has made in-person voting unsafe for Connecticut voters. In order to ensure both the public's safety and an inclusive and fair voting process for the 2020 elections. All voters are eligible to vote by absentee ballot in the general election held on November 3, 2020 due to the COVID-19, pursuant to Public Act 20-03 July Spec. Sess. Just check the COVID-19 box on the application.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS!

In July 2020, Governor Lamont issued an Executive Order to expand access to voting by absentee ballot to all registered Democrats and Republicans for the Primary election which was held on August 11.

Following this, the CT General Assembly convened a Special Session to vote in support  of expanded absentee voting provisions. The House of Representatives voted 144-2 to temporarily redefine the definition of “sickness” in state voting law to cover the COVID-19 pandemic, giving every voter the ability to vote by absentee ballot. The Senate voted  35-1 for final passage of legislation allowing no-excuse absentee ballot voting as a public health precaution in November. This was then signed into law by Governor Lamont.

Expanding absentee ballot voting provisions to allow every CT voter to vote-by-mail is critical to strengthening our democracy by increasing voter turnout while providing safe ballot access during COVID-19. Everyone's voice should be heard. This builds on CTLCVEF’s long term effort to educate communities on voting rights to activate a new base of voters. We are expanding our outreach to communities that have long been underrepresented and are being hit harder during the pandemic.

VOTING RIGHTS NECESSITIES

• Voter Education
• Expanded Absentee Ballot Provisions
• Automatic Voter Registration
• Early Voting

• Ranked Choice Voting
• Voter Registration Eligibility
• End Voter Suppression

REGISTRATION DEADLINES FOR NEW VOTERS

PRIMARY: Your application must be submitted by the 5th day before a primary OR received by your Registrar of Voters or a voter registration agency by the 5th day before a primary. You may apply in person to your town clerk or registrar until 12:00 noon on the last business day before a primary.

ELECTION: Your application must be submitted or received by a voter registration agency by the 7th day before an election OR you may register in person with you Registrar of Voters by the 7th day before an election.

MORE INFORMATION

• State of Connecticut Voter Fact Sheet
• Secretary of State Denise Merrill says, "It's time to allow voting by mail"​
• Downloadable pdf of more important absentee voting precautions
• Voter Intimidation Statutes