HARTFORD — Connecticut voters have championed voting rights and overwhelmingly voted to pass the no excuse absentee voting ballot referendum. The state constitution may now be amended to allow all voters in the state to vote by absentee ballot. ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC, a nonpartisan political action committee, has declared its mission to enfranchise and inform voters about this measure a resounding victory.
Policy and advocacy director Chelsea-Infinity Gonzalez exclaimed, “We are excited to declare victory for the voters of Connecticut!”
"The ballot referendum has passed, and the state constitution can be amended to allow for universal absentee voting,” she said. “This election cycle, we have worked with voting rights advocates and our community partners to pass this referendum, expanding voting rights and voting access for all people in Connecticut. During the legislative session next year, the ACLU of Connecticut will work with lawmakers and these same partners and advocates to create robust and detailed policies for implementation. We have won at the ballot box, and we are committed to seeing timely and appropriate implementation.”
Connecticut voters cast their ballots to pass the referendum, which allows the legislature to take up specific policy recommendations and processes to ensure expanded voting access statewide.
"This is a great day for the voters of Connecticut, and a win for the civil rights and liberties of all people,” said ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC chairman David McGuire. “Real voting rights, such as early voting and no excuse absentee voting, create real enfranchisement. Voters of all ages, abilities, locations, and schedules will now be able to exercise their rights. Connecticut has been sorely behind our fellow Americans in its availability of safe, convenient, and accessible options for voters to participate in their democracy. Our people are our power, and when people vote, the people win.”
ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC celebrates the victory after a nearly five month campaign, which included a statewide, multimedia, multisite launch in June. Other efforts included a months long partnership with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, canvassing, phone banking, postcarding, billboards, events in communities all over the state and at universities, and yard signs. The voting rights advocates participated in a coalition with several other organizations and with grassroots groups statewide. Social media, person-to-person contact, and educational materials were delivered to voters in both English and Spanish.
"Our field team was second to none during this cycle,” said campaign manager Gus Marks-Hamilton. “We delivered thousands of signs and educational materials all over the state, from the northwest corner to the Quiet Corner. We attended dozens upon dozens of events in person and virtually, and we’re so often accompanied by our community partners such as the League of Women Voters, the League of Conservation Voters of Connecticut, The Connecticut Project, Safe Vote CT, and many others. Our partnership with Ben & Jerry’s meant we could increase feelings of belonging and joy while we met voters in their communities and educated them on this important issue. We made thousands of voter contacts also in the form of phone calls, door knocking, and postcarding in English and Spanish to voters across the state.”
ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC leaders have pivoted to urging implementation and sound policy, such as a ballot curing process and updated voter rolls.
