Connecticut No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment (2024)
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U.S. Senate • U.S. House • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • State ballot measures • How to run for office |
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| Connecticut No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment | |
|---|---|
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| Election date November 5, 2024 | |
| Topic Voting policy measures | |
Status Approved | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
The Connecticut No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment was on the ballot in Connecticut as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2024.[1] It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported authorizing the Connecticut State Legislature to provide by law for no-excuse absentee voting, thereby allowing any voter to request a mail-in ballot. |
A "no" vote opposed providing for no-excuse absentee voting, thereby retaining current law requiring that a voter must have an excuse to request an absentee mail-in ballot. |
Election results
See also: Results for voting-related and noncitizen voting ballot measures, 2024
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Connecticut No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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843,153 | 57.99% | ||
| No | 610,694 | 42.01% | ||
Overview
What did the amendment do?
- See also: Text of measure
The amendment authorized the Connecticut State Legislature to provide by law for no-excuse absentee voting. No-excuse absentee voting allows any voter to request a mail-in ballot after sending in an application. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site.[2]
As of 2024, Connecticut voters could request an absentee ballot if they could not make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons:
- Active military service;
- Absence from town of residence during voting hours;
- Illness or physical disability;
- Religious beliefs precluding secular activity on election day; or
- Performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours.
An absentee ballot must be returned either in person by the close of business the day before the election or by mail. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by the close of polls on election day.
What are absentee voting policies in other states?
- See also: Background
As of 2024, in eight states, every voter receives a mail-in ballot automatically. In 27 states, a mail-in or absentee ballot may be requested with no excuse required. In 15 states (including Connecticut), a mail-in or absentee ballot may be requested and an excuse is required.
What did supporters and opponents say about the measure?
- See also: Support and Opposition
In favor of the amendment, State Sen. Mae Flexer (D) said, “It would be the next step in the process in allowing all voters in the state of Connecticut to cast a vote via absentee ballot, regardless of the reason.” State Sen. Tony Hwang (R) said, “As we move forward, I wish we had more collaboration of ideas, ideas that make our voting process better, more inclusive, more transparent, more engaged.”[3]
State Sen. Robert C. Sampson (R), who voted against the amendment, said, “We have to be able to trust those votes without question. I have some concerns about trying to move our voting process away from the way it’s been traditionally done where people vote on one specific day in person. In the last election, we saw all campaigns across this state mailing ballot applications like crazy to people, and also sending out companion mail to say, ‘Yes, you can check the box for sickness. You can vote by absentee.’ It was a mess.”[3]
How did this measure get on the ballot?
- See also: Path to the ballot
This amendment was referred over two legislative sessions and was first introduced as House Joint Resolution 58 on Feb. 17, 2021. On May 11, 2021, the House passed HJR 58 with a vote of 104-44, with three members absent or not voting. On June 3, 2021, the Senate approved HJR 58 with a vote of 27-9. The amendment was approved mostly along party lines with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed with twelve Republican legislators joining Democrats in approving the amendment during the 2021 legislative session.[1]
On May 10, 2023, the Connecticut House of Representatives approved the amendment, known as HJR 1 this session, in a vote of 113-38. On May 30, 2023, the state Senate approved the measure in a vote of 26-8. Of the 53 House Republicans, 16 joined Democrats in voting in favor of the amendment.[1]
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:[2]
| “ | Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?[4] | ” |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article VI, Connecticut Constitution
The measure amended section 7 of Article VI of the state constitution. The following struck-through text was deleted and underlined text was added.[2]
Text of Section 7:
The general assembly may provide by law for voting in the choice of any officer to be elected or upon any question to be voted on at an election by qualified voters of the state who are unable to will not appear at the polling place on the day of election. because of absence from the city or town of which they are inhabitants or because of sickness, or physical disability or because the tenets of their religion forbid secular activity.[4]
Support
Yes for Safe and Accessible Democracy led the campaign in support of the amendment.[5]
Supporters
Officials
- State Sen. Mae Flexer (D)
- State Sen. Tony Hwang (R)
Organizations
- ACLU of Connecticut
- Bridgeport Generation Now
- Connecticut Citizen Action Group
- Connecticut League of Conservation Voters
- Connecticut Project Action Fund
- League of Women Voters of Connecticut
Arguments
Opposition
Opponents
Officials
- State Sen. Robert C. Sampson (R)
Organizations
Arguments
Campaign finance
Yes for Safe and Accessible Democracy registered to support the amendment. Campaign finance totals for the campaign are below.[6]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $790,644.01 | $0.00 | $790,644.01 | $759,866.76 | $759,866.76 |
| Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $790,644.01 | $0.00 | $790,644.01 | $759,866.76 | $759,866.76 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of the amendment.[6]
| Committees in support of No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| Yes for Safe and Accessible Democracy | $790,644.01 | $0.00 | $790,644.01 | $759,866.76 | $759,866.76 |
| Total | $790,644.01 | $0.00 | $790,644.01 | $759,866.76 | $759,866.76 |
Donors
Below are the top donors to the support committee.[6]
| Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Connecticut Project Action Fund | $360,594.00 | $0.00 | $360,594.00 |
| Stephen Mandel, Jr | $215,000.00 | $0.00 | $215,000.00 |
| Susan Mandel | $215,000.00 | $0.00 | $215,000.00 |
| Melvin Medina | $50.00 | $0.00 | $50.00 |
Opposition
Ballotpedia has not identified a committee registered to oppose the amendment.
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Background
Absentee and mail-in voting in Connecticut
- See also: Voting in Connecticut
As of 2024, Connecticut voters were eligible to vote absentee in an election if they could not make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons:
- Active military service;
- Absence from town of residence during voting hours;
- Illness or physical disability;
- Religious beliefs precluding secular activity on election day; or
- Performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours.
An absentee ballot must be returned either in person by the close of business the day before the election or by mail. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by the close of polls on election day.
Absentee/mail-in voting
- See also: Absentee/mail-in voting
Every state provides for some method whereby voters can cast ballots without visiting a physical polling place. The terms absentee voting, voting by mail, all-mall voting, or voting from home are sometimes used to describe these methods, which can be divided into two categories: automatic mail-in ballot systems and request-required mail-in ballot systems.
Automatic mail-in ballot systems
Automatic mail-in ballot systems mandate that all eligible voters receive either a ballot or ballot application by default. These are sometimes referred to as all-mail voting systems. Access to mail-in voting is not restricted to voters meeting certain eligibility criteria.
- Automatic mail-in ballots: Officials automatically transmit mail-in ballots to all eligible voters. Voters may return these ballots by mail or by using designated deposit sites. Limited in-person voting is generally available, although the number of polling sites and terms of accessibility vary from state to state.
- Automatic mail-in ballot applications: Officials automatically transmit mail-in ballot applications to all eligible voters. A voter must in turn submit a completed application in order to receive a ballot. The voter then returns the completed ballot by mail or by using designated deposit sites. In-person voting is widely available, but it is not necessarily the dominant means by voters cast their ballots.
Request-required mail-in ballot systems
Request-required mail-in ballot systems require that eligible voters initiate the process for receiving, and casting, mail-in ballots. These have traditionally been described as absentee voting systems. Access to mail-in voting may be restricted to voters meeting certain eligibility criteria.
- No excuse required: Any voter may request a mail-in ballot. Generally, a voter must first submit an application in order to receive a ballot. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site. In-person voting is dominant.
- Excuse required: A voter must meet eligibility criteria in order to qualify for a mail-in ballot. Generally, a voter must first submit an application in order to receive a ballot. The voter may then return the completed ballot by mail or by using a designated deposit site. In-person voting is dominant.
Absentee/mail-in voting procedures by state
- In 8 states, every voter receives a mail-in ballot automatically;
- In 27 states, a mail-in or absentee ballot may be requested with no excuse required; and
- In 15 states, a mail-in or absentee ballot may be requested and an excuse is required.
The table below summarizes existing statutory absentee/mail-in voting procedures across the U.S. as of 2023.
| Absentee/mail-in voting procedures by state | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Absentee/mail-in voting type | Description |
| Alabama | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Alaska | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Arizona | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Arkansas | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| California | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| Colorado | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| Connecticut | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Delaware | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Florida | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Georgia | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Hawaii | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| Idaho | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Illinois | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Indiana | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Iowa | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Kansas | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Kentucky | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Louisiana | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Maine | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Maryland | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Massachusetts | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Michigan | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Minnesota | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Mississippi | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Missouri | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Montana | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Nebraska | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Nevada | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| New Hampshire | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| New Jersey | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| New Mexico | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| New York | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| North Carolina | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| North Dakota | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Ohio | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Oklahoma | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Oregon | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| Pennsylvania | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Rhode Island | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| South Carolina | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| South Dakota | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Tennessee | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Texas | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Utah | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| Vermont | Automatic mail-in voting (general elections only) | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| Virginia | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Washington | Automatic mail-in voting | Every voter receives a mail-in ballot by default. |
| West Virginia | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | Excuse required. |
| Wisconsin | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
| Wyoming | Request-required absentee/mail-in voting | No excuse required. |
Voting policy measures in Connecticut
Early voting amendment of 2022
In 2022, Connecticut voters approved Question 1, which amended the Connecticut Constitution to allow the Connecticut General Assembly to pass laws to provide for early voting in person. Going into the election, the state constitution did not allow for early voting. As of June 2022, Connecticut was one of five states that did not allow for early voting in some form. The amendment was approved with 60.53% of voters in favor and 39.47% opposed.
Absentee voting amendment of 2014
In 2014, voters rejected Amendment 1, which would have provided for no-excuse absentee voting. It was rejected with 52.03% of voters opposed and 47.97% in favor. Amendment 1 of 2014 was passed in the 2014 Connecticut State Legislature by Democrats and opposed by Republicans.
Absentee voting policy measures (1932-1992)
Prior to 1932, absentee voting was only allowed for soldiers. In 1932, voters approved an amendment that authorized the state legislature to enact legislation establishing absentee voting privileges for individuals who could not appear at the polls because of absence from their city or town, sickness, or physical disability. In 1962, voters adopted an amendment that provided for absentee voting on constitutional amendments as well as an amendment that provided for absentee voting for members of the armed forces, religious and welfare groups, and their spouses and dependents. In 1964, voters adopted an amendment that extended absentee voting for individuals whose religion prevented them from engaging in secular activity on an election day. An amendment adopted in 1992 further allowed for absentee ballot requests by voters.[7]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Connecticut Constitution
The Connecticut Constitution provides two paths for the legislature to refer constitutional amendments to the ballot. First, a 75% vote in each chamber of the legislature during one legislative session can refer an amendment. Second, a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each chamber of the legislature during two legislative sessions can refer an amendment.
This amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution 58 on February 17, 2021. On May 11, 2021, the state House passed HJR 58 in a vote of 104-44, with three absent or not voting. On June 3, 2021, the Senate approved HJR 58 by a vote of 27-9.[1]
2021 legislative session
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2023 legislative session
The amendment required a simple majority vote by both chambers to be sent to the 2024 ballot. On May 10, 2023, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted 113-38 to approve the measure. The state Senate approved the measure by a vote of 26-8 on May 30, 2023.[8]
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How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Connecticut
See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Connecticut.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Connecticut State Legislature, "House Joint Resolution 58," accessed June 9, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Connecticut State Legislature, "House Resolution 58," accessed June 9, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 CT Examiner, "No-Excuse Absentee Voting Amendment Heads to Voters," accessed June 5, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ CT Insider, "Groups launch campaign to support 'yes' vote on Connecticut referendum for no-excuse absentee voting," accessed September 13, 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 State Elections Enforcement Commission eCRIS Search, "Yes for Safe and Accessible Democracy," accessed September 15, 2024
- ↑ Connecticut Legislative Analyst, "HISTORY OF ABSENTEE VOTING IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION," accessed February 22, 2024
- ↑ LegiScan, "House Joint Resolution 1 (2023)," accessed May 6, 2023
- ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-174," accessed July 23, 2024
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Voting Eligibility," accessed July 23, 2024
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Election Day Registration," accessed July 23, 2024
- ↑ Office of the Secretary of the State, "State of Connecticut Mail-in Voter Registration," accessed November 1, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "FAQ Voter ID," accessed July 23, 2024
- ↑ General Statutes of Connecticut, "Sections 9-261," accessed November 1, 2024
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