Submitted by the League of Women Voters Greenwich
LWV Greenwich supports no-excuse absentee voting. Accessible absentee voting is critical for many of our citizens to exercise their Constitutional rights.
This year, our ballots will contain a unique opportunity for the public to weigh in on this question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”
• A “yes” vote supports authorizing our State Legislators to make absentee voting available to ALL eligible Connecticut voters for any reason.
• A “no” vote opposes any changes, keeping current language in the State Constitution that requires a voter to have a specific reason (from a list of 6) to request an absentee ballot.
LWV Greenwich recommends that voters vote YES. Here’s why:
Currently, Connecticut voters can request an absentee ballot ONLY if they cannot 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
• Sickness
• 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
This amendment would authorize the Connecticut State Legislature to provide for absentee voting for all eligible voters with no specific reason required.
If this amendment is approved, voters would still return an absentee ballot either in person or by mail to the Town Clerk’s office by the close of business the day before the election or dropped in an official ballot drop-box before the polls close at 8:00 pm on Election Day.
As a Connecticut voter, the choice about whether to vote in person or absentee should be an INDIVIDUAL CHOICE, without approval by anyone else.