News Clips

(...) The legislation passed the House on a 103 to 44 vote, with nine Republicans joining the Democrats in support. In order for the question to have appeared on the November 2022 ballot, the resolution needed 75% of the chamber’s support. The resolution now awaits action in the Senate. (...) “It’s time to make this commonsense measure permanent. If the legislature doesn’t pass the no-excuse absentee ballot resolution this session, voters will quickly lose the rights they gained just months ago,” Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, said in a statement.

HARTFORD — The often-emotional nationwide political battle over ballot access reached the state Capitol on Thursday, but the House of Representatives, in a bipartisan vote, approved legislation that could change the Connecticut Constitution and create procedures for early voting.

Legislators, faith leaders and activists gathered outside Hamden Town Hall to demand the passage of two pieces of voting rights legislation.

As states across the country attempt to roll back voting rights and protections, Connecticut must lead the way in protecting the right to vote. But Connecticut has a lot of work to do – as the Center for Public Integrity recently observed, Connecticut has among the most restrictive voting laws outside of the south. Communities of color in Connecticut routinely face long lines and other obstacles when voting. It’s past time we correct these issues and ensure that voters of color, and indeed all voters, are free from voter suppression and intimidation, and have a fair and equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. Recently, the Connecticut legislature held a public hearing on the Connecticut Voting Rights Act (Senate Bill 820 or the CTVRA), introduced by State Sen. Matt Lesser, which, if enacted, would make Connecticut a national leader in protecting the right to vote for communities of color, and indeed all voters.