Connecticut Voters Guide: Absentee voting: How to request a ballot and what you need to know
The presidential election is Nov. 5, and in addition to electing the president, a Congressional representative and U.S. Senator, voters in Connecticut will be electing state representatives and senators and voting on a ballot question related to changing the rules for absentee voting.
Early voting in Connecticut will run from Oct. 21 - Nov. 3. Early voting will remain open until 6 p.m. most days, but on Oct. 29 and 31, voters can cast their ballots until 8 p.m.
What if those dates and times just don't work for you, and you are unable to get to the polls during the early period or on Election Day?
Absentee voting is an option. Here's how it works.
Who is eligible to request an absentee ballot?
You are eligible to request and receive an absentee ballot if, in your judgment, an absence from your town on Election Day prevents you from appearing at your polling place, or you are prevented from appearing at your assigned polling place on Election Day.
Acceptable reasons for your request include: sickness or physical disability, including caring for someone who is sick or disable; active service in the military; religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election; duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own during all of the hours of voting.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
To receive your absentee ballot please complete and sign an application and return it to your Town Clerk.
The application for an absentee ballot is also available online.
When is the deadline to request an absentee ballot?
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 4.
When is the deadline to return an absentee ballot?
All ballots must be received by the close of polls, 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
What is the penalty for fraudulently requesting an absentee ballot?
There are both civil and penalties in the event someone is found to be violation of the absentee ballot law.
The State Elections Enforcement Commission may levy a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 per offense against any person the commission finds to be in violation of any provision of state law regarding absentee voting (Chapter 145 of the Connecticut General Statutes).
A person who willfully violates any provision of Chapter 145 of the Connecticut General Statutes shall be guilty of a class D felony. Conviction of a class D felony shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of not less than one year nor more than five years, or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.
It is a class D felony for any person not authorized by law to possess the official absentee ballot of an applicant to whom it was issued; for any candidate or agent of a candidate, political party or committee to knowingly be present when absentee ballot applicant executes an absentee ballot; to commit a false statement in absentee balloting; to knowingly misrepresent the eligibility requirements to vote by absentee ballot.
What does the question on the ballot have to do with absentee voting?
The Nov. 5 ballot in Connecticut will feature one question, which, if passed, could allow for no-excuse absentee voting.
The question is a proposed amendment to the state constitution, and would authorize the state's General Assembly to create language that would eliminate reasons for absentee voting.
Here is how the question reads: "Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?
As a proposed amendment to the state constitution, the question will require the state's General Assembly to craft and approve language that allows absentee voting for any reason, as well as set an effective date for the amendment.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Absentee voting in Connecticut: How to request an absentee ballot
