Together We Rise: A Guide to Voting & Voting Rights in Connecticut

It is critical, perhaps now more than ever, that all citizens may vote without intimidation, coercion, or unnecessary barriers. We understand that in some cases voting can be difficult, and information about voting can be hard to find. That's why the ACLU of CT Rise PAC is committed to empowering Connecticut voters, and ensuring we know how, when, and where to vote.

If you're looking for resources about voting in Connecticut, see the voter guide below and use the glossary on the left to navigate the sections. If you can't find what you're looking for, please email info@acluct.org, and we will provide you with the information you're looking for or someone who can get you that information. You can also go to MYVOTE.CT.GOV for information from the Secretary of the State's Office.

VOTING RIGHTS EVENTS:

In-person Canvassing (statewide): Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays until Election Day [SIGN UP HERE]
Phone Banking: Various dates in October [SIGN UP HERE]
ACLU of CT Rise PAC No-Excuse Absentee Voting materials in all Ben & Jerry's Connecticut stores - Try the flavor Churn Out the Vote!

Check this page often for updated events. If you would like printed materials for canvassing, yard signs, or t-shirts, please click here.

Are you ready to vote?

Am I eligible to vote?

You can check your voting eligibility status by reviewing the questions provided by the Secretary of the State's Office. Find those questions here.

You can find fact sheets provided by the Secretary of the State's Office regarding how to vote (IE: if you're a first time voter or a student voter) here.

Am I registered to vote?

Includes information about Same Day Registration.

You can check your voter registration status using the lookup tool from the Secretary of the State's Office.

Find the Voter Registration Lookup Tool here.

If you need to register or re-register to vote, you can use the online registration system or fill out the paper application.

Please note that Connecticut allows voters to register to vote on Election Day. To do so, would-be voters need to visit a designated Election Day registration site, which may not be the same as your local polling place. To find your designated Election Day registration site, you will need to check the Secretary of the State's website or with your local Registrar of Voters. If you are registering to vote on Election Day, you will need to show identification that includes your name and address. Examples of identification that you can use for this purpose include: a Connecticut driver's license, a utility bill, or a checkbook.

You can find more information on Same Day Registration here.

Where do I go to vote on Election Day?

You can locate your polling location on Election Day by using the Voter Registration Lookup tool, provided by the Secretary of the State's Office. Please note that polls in Connecticut are open from 6am to 8pm on Election Day.

If you're standing in line at the polls by 8pm, you are allowed to cast your vote. So, once you're in line, stay in line!

Find the Voter Registration Lookup Tool here.

If you're voting early, please note that you may need to go to a different polling location. You can find a list of the designate early voting locations here.

Can I vote early?

Early voting is now available for both the primary and general election.

As of January 1, 2024, you can vote early in Connecticut! You can expect voting during the early voting period to be the same as voting on Election Day.

For the primary election, Connecticut voters will have seven days of early voting in August from Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 to Sunday, Aug 11, 2024. You can find the early voting hours here.

For the general election, Connecticut voters will have fourteen days of early voting from Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 to Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. You can find the hours here.

You may need to go to a different polling location. You can find a list of the designate early voting locations here.

You can find more information on early voting from the Secretary of the State's Office here.

Can I vote absentee? How?

Information on what absentee voting is and how to participate below.

Absentee voting is a way to cast your ballot without having to be in-person at a designated polling location. This allows voters to participate in elections regardless of their ability to get to the polls. A voter can mail in their absentee ballot, use an official ballot drop box, or deliver it in person to the Town Clerk's office.

In Connecticut, absentee voters currently need an “excuse,” such as being out of town, to be eligible to receive an absentee ballot.

First, you must submit a request for an absentee ballot, which you can do online here or with a paper application that must be sent to your Town Clerk. Then, your Town Clerk will process your application. If you're eligible to receive an absentee ballot, one will be mailed to you beginning 31 days before a general election, 21 days before a primary, or as soon as your application is process if your application is received after the aforementioned dates. Once you've completed your ballot, you must follow the instructions included and return the ballot by mail, dropping the ballot off in an official ballot drop box, or delivering it in-person to the Town Clerk's office before the close of the polls on the day of the election.

You can find more information on absentee voting, provided by the Secretary of the State's Office, here.

Did you know that when we vote in November, we'll see a ballot referendum about No-Excuse Absentee Voting?

In Connecticut, absentee voters currently need an “excuse,” such as being out of town, to be eligible to receive an absentee ballot.

But no one should need an “excuse” to vote in a way that’s accessible and convenient for them.

No-Excuse Absentee Voting allows for any voter to request an absentee ballot without having to present an "excuse."

When Connecticut voters cast our ballots in November, we’ll see the following question:

“Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”

We will be asked to vote YES or NO on the No-Excuse Absentee Voting referendum.

A "YES" vote supports authorizing the Connecticut State Legislature by law to provide for no-excuse absentee voting, thereby allowing any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide an excuse.

A "NO" vote opposes providing for no-excuse absentee voting, thereby retaining current law requiring that an eligible voter must provide an excuse to request an absentee ballot.

What are my rights as a voter?

The ACLU of CT has several Know Your Rights Guides for voters in Connecticut.

Do you know your rights as a Connecticut voter?

The ACLU of CT has several Know Your Rights Guides for different voters in Connecticut.

You can find the KYR Guide for Voter Intimidation at the Polls here.

You can find the KYR Guide for Same Day Registration, or registering to vote on Election Day, here.

You can find the KYR Guide for Voting and IDs in Connecticut here.

You can find the KYR Guide for Voting on Parole here.