Connecticut Voting Guide

When is Connecticut's voter registration deadline?

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

If you miss the deadline, Connecticut also offers Election Day Registration for voters. This means that Connecticut voters can vote on Election Day itself. Election Day registration allows any resident who meets the eligibility requirements to register and vote in person.

Same-day registration is often not available at your usual polling location but is instead available at a specified Election Day Registration location in every town. The registration time is often between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the election day. To register to vote, you should visit the designated site. Remember to bring your identification documents.

How do I request an absentee ballot in Connecticut?

To vote by absentee ballot in Connecticut, a voter must have one of the following reasons for being unable to vote at a polling place on Election Day:

• You have a physical disability that prevents you from voting
• You are a 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

If one of these reasons applies to you, you may apply for absentee voting. There are different application forms for the general election or a referendum. There is also 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

For military and overseas voters: 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.

Your local town clerk in the municipality you are registered in will send you the appropriate ballot. You can contact them if you have questions about the status of your ballot.

Vote and follow the instructions for returning the absentee ballot to your local municipal clerk. You may return your completed ballot by mail, fax, or e-mail, provided it arrives on or before the closing of the polls on Election or Primary Day. You can check the status of the ballot here.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Connecticut?

You are not required to bring a photo ID or driver’s license when voting in Connecticut. When you arrive at the polling location, the poll worker will often ask you to present an identification card. If you do not have any, you may sign an affidavit. The following forms of ID are also acceptable for voting purposes:

Voter ID Requirements for First-Time Voters

If you are voting for the first time in a primary or general election with federal candidates on the ballot, additional identification requirements apply to you. In that case, you should present the following:

• 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

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 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?

Federal and state law requires that polling places be accessible to all voters. If you are concerned about the accessibility of your polling place, contact your Registrars 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, move to the front of the line or sit in the polling station.
• You can mark your ballot using a touch screen display rather than a pen and paper, or make your choice 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 your union, or a candidate whose name is on the ballot (unless they are also your family member).
• You can ask to vote curbside if you cannot access the polling place.
• You can also vote 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.

Can I bring a sample ballot to the polling place?

Yes. Connecticut allows voters to bring marked sample ballots as a guide when they vote. However, these sample ballots should be exclusively for personal use and should not disturb other voters in the polling place. The voter should also not leave the sample ballot at the polling place.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

Report the following violations and related complaints to the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) or by calling 1-866-733-2463:

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

Notify the Moderator at your polling place of the following violations. Contact the SEEC or file an election complaint report with the U.S. Justice Department if:

• You experienced voter intimidation or harassment
• There was campaigning taking place at or near the polling station
• You believe you saw fraudulent voting activity at your polling place

You can also contact a lawyer experienced in voting law if you feel your voting rights have been violated or the integrity of the election results is at risk.

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

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to protect your rights best. Consider consulting with a civil rights attorney if you believe your voting rights were violated.