Connecticut Voting Guide

Whether you’re a first-time voter or you’ve voted in a dozen elections, it’s important that you know the voting laws in your state. You should also be familiar with your voting rights and what to do if anyone interferes with your civil rights.

This article examines Connecticut’s voting laws, how to register to vote in the state, and what steps to take if you witness illegal activity at the polling place. While this voter guide should answer most of your questions, you might want more in-depth explanations of topics like voter registration, absentee ballots, and voting eligibility. If so, contact a local civil rights lawyer for help.

Who Is Eligible To Vote in Connecticut?

Most citizens of Connecticut are eligible to vote in municipal elections, general elections, local elections, and special elections. As long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you should have no problem casting your ballot on Election Day.

To vote in Connecticut, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen and a resident of Connecticut
• At least 18 years of age before the next election date
• Registered to vote, which you can do all the way up through Election Day

A felony conviction currently being served will block you from voting. Once you complete your sentence, you are eligible to vote, even while you are on parole or probation.

This did not use to be the case. Until Connecticut lawmakers passed Public Law No. 21-2 in June 2021, people with felony convictions could not vote until they were no longer on parole or probation. The new law eradicated this limitation.

Where Do I Vote?

If you aren’t sure where to vote, you can check CT.gov online. It will list your polling location. You can also visit myvote.ct.gov for more voting information and additional election information. Make sure you know where to vote before the day of the election.

Connecticut polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

How To Register To Vote in Connecticut

Before you can cast your ballot, you need to register to vote. There are several ways to do this in Connecticut. You can choose whichever option works best for you.

You can register in the following ways:

• In person: You can go to your local registrar of voters to register in person
• Online: You can register to vote online with the Office of the Secretary of the State
• At the DMV: If you have a Connecticut driver’s license, you are automatically registered to vote by the DMV
• By Mail: You can download a paper copy of the voter registration form to complete and mail in

There are no special requirements for any of these methods.

Connecticut’s Voter Registration Deadline

If you don’t register to vote by the deadline, you will not be able to vote on Election Day. It doesn’t matter whether you support the Democratic Party or are a Republican.

You must register to vote by the deadlines below if you expect to participate in the democratic process in Connecticut:

• In-person/online: Seven days before Election Day
• By mail: Postmarked seven days before Election Day

If you miss the registration deadline, Connecticut also offers Election Day Registration. Connecticut voters can register to vote on Election Day. Election Day registration allows any eligible resident to register and vote in person on Election Day.

Same-day registration is not always available at your designated polling location. You may have to visit a specified Election Day Registration polling place in your town. Registration time is often between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the date of the election. Remember to bring your voter identification documents.

Requesting an Absentee Ballot in Connecticut

If you are unable to vote in-person at your designated polling place, you may be able to cast an absentee ballot. To vote via absentee voting, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• You have a physical disability that prevents you from voting
• You are an active member of the military on active duty
• You will be absent from your town of residence during voting hours
• Your religious beliefs preclude secular activity on Election Day
• You will be working as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours

There are different forms you must use to apply for an absentee ballot for the general election or a referendum. You can also submit an emergency absentee ballot request if it is within six days of an election. You can download these forms at the Secretary of State’s website.

Other important absentee ballot information includes:

• Absentee ballots are mailed 31 days before an election, 21 days before a primary, or 19 days before a referendum
• Absentee ballots are due by the close of polls on Election Day
• You can submit your absentee ballot in-person at the town clerk’s office, by mail via the United States Postal Service, or you can place it in a secure drop box in your town

Military and overseas voters can use the Federal Voting Assistance Program to register and request an absentee ballot. You can do this online, by fax, or by mail, as long as your ballot arrives on or before the closing of the polls on the day of the general election or primary election.

You can check the status of the ballot here.

What To Bring to the Polls on Election Day

Connecticut’s election laws do not require you to bring a photo ID or driver’s license when you go to the polling place. When you arrive at the polling location, a poll worker will ask you to present an identification card. If you do not have one, you can sign an affidavit and cast a provisional ballot. Once election officials can confirm your identity, they will validate your ballot.

Voter ID Requirements for First-Time Voters

If you are a first-time voter, you may need to bring additional information to the polling place. You should be prepared to present the following when you go to cast your ballot:

• A current, valid photo ID that shows your name and address
• A government document that shows your name and address
• A current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check

If you do not have any of these forms of identification, you will need to vote using a provisional ballot. You must provide a valid form of identification later, or your provisional ballot will not be counted.

Be sure you are in the correct precinct. Connecticut does not count provisional ballots that are cast in the wrong precinct.

Voter ID Requirements for All Other Voters

If you’ve voted before, you don’t have to bring the above documents with you on Election Day. For voters who are not voting for the first time, you may present the following:

• Social Security card
• Any pre-printed identification that shows your name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph

You can sign a declaration using Form ED-681 or “Signatures of Electors Who Did Not Present ID.” The Secretary of the State (SOTS) issues this form. You should sign the form to confirm that you are the person whose name appears on the official checklist.

What Special Accommodations are Available in Connecticut?

Federal and state laws require that polling places be accessible to all voters. If you are concerned about the accessibility of your polling place, contact your Registrar of Voters.

At your polling place, you can ask the moderator for accommodations, including:

• If you have difficulty standing in line for a long time, you can move to the front of the line or sit in a chair
• You can mark your ballot using a touch screen display rather than using a pen and paper, or make your vote audibly
• Having someone help you mark or cast your ballot is acceptable as long as they are not your employer, an agent of your employer or union, or a candidate whose name is on the ballot
• You can ask to vote curbside if you cannot access the polling place
• You can also vote by absentee ballot if you live in a care facility
• If you have a permanent disability, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent absentee ballot (contact your municipal clerk for details)
• You can receive an emergency absentee ballot if you have been hospitalized within six days of the election

You should be able to access the help you need to vote, regardless of your disabilities.

Can I Bring a Sample Ballot to the Polling Place?

Connecticut allows voters to bring marked sample ballots as a guide when they vote. However, these sample ballots are exclusively for personal use. You cannot disturb other voters. The sample ballot must be left at the polling place.

What To Do if You See Illegal Activity at the Polling Place

Most polling places are free from illegal activity, but there’s always the possibility that it could happen. If you witness this sort of behavior, report it to the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) or by calling 1-866-733-2463.

Some of the suspicious behavior you should be on the lookout for includes:

• A poll worker turned you away even though you were in line before the polls closed
• A poll worker acted improperly
• Voter interference or voter suppression
• You requested accommodations for a disability, but did not receive the assistance you needed, which is a violation of the Help America Vote Act
• You have information about fraudulent voter registration activity

There are also things you should notify the moderator at your polling place of immediately. If you aren’t able to do so at the moment it occurs, you can contact the SEEC or file an election complaint report with the U.S. Justice Department.

The sort of activity that warrants a report includes:

• Voter intimidation or harassment
• Campaigning is taking place at or near the polling station
• Fraudulent voting activity

You can also contact a civil rights attorney if you feel someone has violated your voting rights.

Disclaimer: State laws change frequently due to new legislation, higher court rulings, and other means. While FindLaw strives to provide the most current information, contact a local civil rights lawyer to confirm your state laws.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your voting rights and how best to protect them. Consult with a civil rights attorney if you believe someone has violated your voting rights or if election officials refused to assist with voting accommodations.