Press Release
Voting Rights Group: Too Soon to Abandon Early Voting
"Without a high-stakes election or any funding to educate the public, it is too soon for the Secretary of the State to abandon early voting."
Press
Media Contacts
David Vance
National Media Strategist
dvance@commoncause.org
240-605-8600
Katie Scally
Communications Director
kscally@commoncause.org
408-205-1257
Common Cause’s network of national and state democracy reform experts are frequent media commentators. To talk with one of our experts, please reach out to any member of the press team above.
News Clip
Denise Merrill (opinion): It’s time for CT to say ‘yes’ to early voting
It’s no secret that numerous states are actively taking steps to impede voting access for millions of Americans, which will discourage voting, create more bureaucratic barriers, and depress voter turnout. In recent years Connecticut has taken a different and better path — rightly addressing restrictive laws and making voting easier for all eligible Connecticut citizens.
News Clip
CT Viewpoints: Early voting will open the polls to more CT voters
Can’t find childcare – it’s hard to vote. Have an unexpected business meeting in Manhattan that pops up on your calendar – it’s hard to vote. Work two jobs – it’s hard to vote. Taking care of your elderly family member – it’s hard to vote.
Establishing an early voting period is a move that addresses both voter equity and accessibility by allowing a longer time frame for you to vote.
Establishing an early voting period is a move that addresses both voter equity and accessibility by allowing a longer time frame for you to vote.
News Clip
Early election voting on the table as state officials target Connecticut’s restrictive voting rules
“This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat issue, this is about ensuring all Connecticut voters have the freedom and the ability to vote in elections,” Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, said, adding that he has seen people in scrubs get out of their cars on Election Day, saw how long the lines were, and left.
Press Release
Common Cause Releases 2022 “Democracy Scorecard” Showing Growing Support in Congress for Democracy Reform
“Our democracy is strongest when constituents are informed about the job our elected leaders are doing in Washington,” said Cheri Quickmire, Executive Director of Common Cause Connecticut.
Press Release
80+ Candidates Go on Record about Proposed Election Changes
“Connecticut voters deserve the absolute best version of democracy. Knowing where your candidates stand on these issues is the first step toward making Connecticut a leader in the freedom to vote.”
News Clip
Report finds 16 Connecticut legislators have joined ‘far-right’ Facebook groups
While Connecticut conservatives haven’t been so bold as elected officials in red states, their enrollment in the Facebook groups indicates the need for more public vigilance, said Cheri Quickmire, executive director of the election watchdog Common Cause in Connecticut.
“Extremism isn’t only in certain states like Florida and Arkansas, but it’s alive in Connecticut,” Quickmire said Friday while reviewing the report. “I find this disturbing.” She recalled the controversy last year over the teaching of American...
“Extremism isn’t only in certain states like Florida and Arkansas, but it’s alive in Connecticut,” Quickmire said Friday while reviewing the report. “I find this disturbing.” She recalled the controversy last year over the teaching of American...
News Clip
CT GOP endorses a social moderate, Themis Klarides, for U.S. Senate
"Republicans also expect a three-way primary for secretary of the state. Dominic A. Rapini of Branford won the endorsement, trailed by Brock L. Weber of New Britain and Rep. Terrie Wood of Darien."
News Clip
CT Democrats diversify in picks for treasurer and secretary of the state
"Rep. Stephanie Thomas got the endorsement for secretary of the state after several frantic hours of lobbying and vote-swapping at the Democratic convention in Hartford on Saturday. (...)
She defeated an accomplished list of candidates including Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown, Rep. Hilda Santiago of Meriden, Rep. Joshua Elliott of Hamden and New Haven’s Health Director Maritza Bond. (...)
All three Democratic candidates for state treasurer, and four of the five candidates for secretary of the state, earned a spot on the primary...
She defeated an accomplished list of candidates including Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown, Rep. Hilda Santiago of Meriden, Rep. Joshua Elliott of Hamden and New Haven’s Health Director Maritza Bond. (...)
All three Democratic candidates for state treasurer, and four of the five candidates for secretary of the state, earned a spot on the primary...
Press Release
In Last Hours of Legislative Session, Pro-Voter Bills Still Need to be Passed
Both bills received near-unanimous support during their public hearings, and both bills were reported favorably out of Committee more than a month ago but have not yet received a vote in either chamber.
News Clip
Civil Rights groups, leaders call for passage of bill that protects against voting discrimination
HARTFORD, Conn — With about two weeks left in the general session, voter advocate organizations and leaders gathered outside the state Capitol on Thursday to urge lawmakers to pass a voter's rights act in Connecticut.
"This bill gives Connecticut the strongest protection against voting discrimination of any state law ever," explained Steven Lance, Policy Counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Advocates explained that SB 471 could be a huge step forward, especially for communities of color.
"This bill gives Connecticut the strongest protection against voting discrimination of any state law ever," explained Steven Lance, Policy Counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Advocates explained that SB 471 could be a huge step forward, especially for communities of color.
Press Release
Civil Rights Coalition and Connecticut Legislators Join Together in Calling for Passage of Voting Rights Bill S.B. 471
“It will be nine long years in June since the Supreme Court gutted key provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act. In the absence of Senate action to fix the law, it’s time for the states to act instead."
News Clip
Candidates in the race for Connecticut Secretary of the State differ on allowing prisoners to vote
"Several Democrats and an independent running for the open seat of Secretary of the State are divided on how far Connecticut should expand access to voting.
During an online forum organized by the liberal advocacy group Common Cause, the candidates were asked if they would support ballot access for people behind bars..."
During an online forum organized by the liberal advocacy group Common Cause, the candidates were asked if they would support ballot access for people behind bars..."