State Rep. Palm: Making Sure Everyone Can Vote In Safety

Press release from State Rep. Palm:

Feb. 22, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

I've heard from many of you about the need to make our voting procedures more accessible, equitable and efficient.

Our experience during the pandemic exposed the flaws in Connecticut's voting laws which are -- despite the state's generally progressive stance on many issues -- among the most regressive in the country.

My colleagues and I on the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee are working to change that.

Today we are hearing testimony on four key bills including early voting, unconditional absentee balloting, and making it safe for people to vote in municipal elections this year. Thank you to all of you who submitted testimony. You can CLICK HERE to watch the hearing on YouTube.

Changing our voting laws is no simple matter. Complicating the issue is the fact that, unlike most states, Connecticut's voting laws are written into our state Constitution, rather than statute. This means that to change them, we need a Constitutional Amendment, which in itself is a rather complicated procedure. In 2019, the legislature passed a constitutional amendment that would allow Early Voting; it needs to pass again in order to be on the 2022 ballot for the voters to decide (a referendum).

Meanwhile, the amendment that would expand access to absentee ballots for all voters without an "excuse" (meaning, a legally designated reason) will be voted on for the first time this year. It will need to pass both chambers with a 75% supermajority in order to go on the 2022 ballot. So you can see we have our work cut out for us and your input is vital.

CLICK HERE for a link to the bill I introduced that would allow for unconditional absentee ballots. (Elements of this bill have been folded into a GAE committee bill.)

Despite the false narrative of widespread voter fraud, voting by absentee ballot is safe and accurate. I want to express my gratitude once again to all our town clerks and registrars who did yeoman's duty in the 2020 general election. We need to make sure that if these reforms are enacted, our town officials have the support, time and technology they need. And we need to make it safer and easier for everyone to make their voice heard in the voting booth.

Please help me reach your neighbors, who may be in need, by forwarding this email to them. Feel free to contact me by email at Christine.Palm@cga.ct.gov with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Christine Palm

State Representative

This press release was produced by State Rep. Palm. The views expressed here are the author's own.