Thank you for all you did this legislative session to strengthen and protect our democracy. In the challenging time of Covid nearly 700 people took virtual action via petition, calls, and emails to legislators! This was noticed by legislative leadership but unfortunately did not stop the last-minute clock at the end of session.
Also, despite significant statewide advocacy, a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) bill to create a task force to study the implementation of RCV in Connecticut was not raised by the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee.
—Teran Loeppke, Common Cause of CT We did have success in passing HB 5262, which broadened the statutory language for absentee voting eligibility.
And remember, the Early Voting Referendum will be on the CT Ballot:
"Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?”
Vote YES!
House Bill 5262
An Act Revising Certain Absentee Voting Eligibility Statutes
This modified the statutory language for eligibility for absentee voting. As you may recall, the statutory language was more restrictive than the constitutional language. Both "illness" and "out of town" reasons for absentee voting are now widened to include, e.g. "household illness" and "commuter hours" out of town - prior to this the language was restricted to "personal illness" and "all hours" (14 hours)—Joan Twiggs, LWVCT.
👏Passed! Signed by Gov. Lamont
Check out who voted for this legislation:
Please contact your Legislators and thank them for their support.
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Senate Bill 431
An Act Concerning Referenda, Independent Expenditures and Certain Other Political Spending
This bill will prohibit the use of funds contributed by foreign entities on ballot referendum campaigns. It is critical to pass the bill this session since the Early Voting referendum question will be on the ballot this November.
The Senate did call and passed SB 431 AAC Referenda, Independent Expenditures and certain other political spending. Unanimously!
Leadership in the House however did not call the bill for a vote.
😞Not passed
Senate Bill 471
An Act Concerning Elections and State Voting Rights
This bill is called the CT Voting Rights Bill. The bill protects the voting rights of CT Black and Brown voters by allowing a right of action against municipalities when policies and practices suppress or dilute the votes of minority communities. This is necessary because of dilution of federal voting rights.
Our efforts to raise and pass SB 471 were not successful as leadership were concerned it would take too much time to debate and declined to call it.
—Teran Loeppke, Common Cause CT
😞Not passed
Senate Bill 184
An Act Extending Through November 8, 2022, Several Changes Regarding Election Administration As A Result Of Covid-19 And Concerning Eligibility To Vote By Absentee Ballot
This bill will allow an extension of the Covid-19 excuse for using absentee ballots (mail-in ballots) for the November 2022 election.
😞Not passed
House Joint Resolution 114
Resolution Proposing an Amendment to the State Constitution to Permit No-Excuse Absentee Voting
This Resolution proposes an amendment to the State Constitution to permit no-excuse Absentee Voting.
😞Not passed