Legislative Climate Updates 2/27/23
On January 31st 2023 CCAG joined lawmakers, civil rights, labor, grassroots, and faith-based organizations to call for the passage of the Connecticut Voting Rights Act (CTVRA).
By enacting this landmark bill, Connecticut would join California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, and New York as states with their own voting rights acts to bolster protections against discriminatory barriers that would infringe upon the ability to exercise the fundamental right to vote.
Read the full press release here.
The Connecticut Voting Rights Act
2023 Legislative Session
Wednesday, February 22nd at 10:00AM there is a public legislative hearing on proposed implementation plans for Early Voting, on the proposed resolution to allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting and on improving current access to Absentee Ballots.
Although Connecticut is known to be a progressive state, we still have some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country. These bills are crucial step to rectify our history of voter suppression and discrimination.
The hearing is in-person in Room 2A of the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, AND via Zoom and will be broadcast on YouTube Live.
Here is how you can take action...
We must make sure our legislators listen to their constituents and make Connecticut's elections more fair and accessible. A healthy democracy is one that works for ALL of us.
Let's make it happen.
Although Connecticut is known to be a progressive state, we still have some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country. These bills are crucial step to rectify our history of voter suppression and discrimination.
The hearing is in-person in Room 2A of the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, AND via Zoom and will be broadcast on YouTube Live.
Here is how you can take action...
- DOWNLOAD THIS SAMPLE TESTIMONY and make your own edits (yellow highlights are prompts for your own input). The hearing agenda is here.
- ATTACH YOUR TESTIMONY AND EMAIL IT directly to [email protected] (the Assistant Clerk for the Government Administration & Elections (GAE) Committee. Or submit your testimony by using this On-line Testimony Submission form.
- SIGN UP TO PROVIDE IN-PERSON TESTIMONY OR LIVE VIRTUAL ZOOM TESTIMONY for the 10:00AM, Weds. Feb. 22nd hearing. The deadline to register is 3PM TODAY Feb. 21st!
We must make sure our legislators listen to their constituents and make Connecticut's elections more fair and accessible. A healthy democracy is one that works for ALL of us.
Let's make it happen.
Low-income and Environmental Justice Communities. This is an historic opportunity to invest in clean energy, reduce bills, improve indoor health, and create job opportunities for our most vulnerable communities.
The Housing Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in Room 1A of the LOB and via Zoom. The deadline to register to testify/submit testimony is Monday, February 27th at 3:00 PM.
Individuals who wish to testify in-person or via Zoom must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form. Please submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission Form.
Need help? Find sample testimony & talking points Here.
Skyrocketing energy prices are disproportionately harming Connecticut's most vulnerable communities, and this bill will help to reduce bills through energy efficiency and improved housing. You can make a difference! Please consider testifying in person, via zoom or submitting written testimony today!
The Housing Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in Room 1A of the LOB and via Zoom. The deadline to register to testify/submit testimony is Monday, February 27th at 3:00 PM.
Individuals who wish to testify in-person or via Zoom must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form. Please submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission Form.
Need help? Find sample testimony & talking points Here.
Skyrocketing energy prices are disproportionately harming Connecticut's most vulnerable communities, and this bill will help to reduce bills through energy efficiency and improved housing. You can make a difference! Please consider testifying in person, via zoom or submitting written testimony today!
5/17 Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of CT Lobby Day
Join Common Cause in CT on Wednesday, May 17th at 10:30 AM in Hartford, CT where their Lobby Day will be held at the Legislative Office Building Atrium, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106.
This Lobby Day will give community members (you!) an opportunity to speak with your legislators and encourage them to act on behalf of the overwhelming number of Connecticut residents who are in favor of equitable access to voting & to urge legislators to support and co-sponsor the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of CT!
You will also have the opportunity to provide stories of any barriers to voting you or someone you know may have encountered.
RSVP & more info here: Feel free to send this form out to anyone you think should be in attendance!
Parking instructions for Lobby Day
This Lobby Day will give community members (you!) an opportunity to speak with your legislators and encourage them to act on behalf of the overwhelming number of Connecticut residents who are in favor of equitable access to voting & to urge legislators to support and co-sponsor the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of CT!
You will also have the opportunity to provide stories of any barriers to voting you or someone you know may have encountered.
RSVP & more info here: Feel free to send this form out to anyone you think should be in attendance!
Parking instructions for Lobby Day
On 5/25, the Connecticut Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 1226 (S.B. 1226 or “CTVRA”), a
state-level Voting Rights Act that seeks to expand access to the freedom to vote and strengthen
protections against voting discrimination for communities of color throughout the state. The bill now moves to the Connecticut House of Representatives, which has the opportunity to enact this historic legislation by June 7th, when the current session ends. If passed, the CTVRA will immediately become one of the most comprehensive state-level voting rights acts in the country.
The Connecticut Voting Rights Act’s critical protections include:
● Launching a “preclearance” program requiring local governments with a record or other
signs of discrimination to prove that certain voting changes won’t harm voters of color
before they can go into effect.
● Providing new legal tools to fight discriminatory voting rules in court.
● Expanding language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency.
● Creating strong protections against voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction.
● Establishing a central hub for election data and demographic information to increase
transparency and help Connecticut voters fight for accessible elections.
In response to the passage of S.B. 1226, 33 civil rights, voting rights, labor, service, community,
and faith-based organizations issued the following statement:
“We applaud all members of the Connecticut Senate on the passage of S.B. 1226, a strong and comprehensive state voting rights act. We fully support this proposed legislation and commend the bill’s leading champions, Senator Mae Flexer and Representative Matt Blumenthal, for all their work to reach this point. At a time when other states across the country are restricting voting access— and despite inaction in Washington D.C. to cement this fundamental freedom--
Connecticut policymakers are standing up for the right to vote. We look forward to final passage in the House of Representatives. Once enacted and signed into law, the Connecticut Voting Rights Act will pave the way to a stronger, more inclusive democracy—both here in Connecticut and across the nation, as a model for other states.
“Every Connecticut voter should have an equal opportunity to cast their ballot fairly and accessibly. Across the state, this transformative bill is strongly backed with substantial, bipartisan support. Recent poll data indicates that an overwhelming majority of Connecticut voters, 81%, agree that, rather than depending upon the federal government, ‘Connecticut needs its own strong laws to ensure every eligible voter has equal access to the ballot.’ These polling results also reveal that 75% of Connecticut voters support the CTVRA across race and party lines, and that 89% of Black voters and 85% of Latino voters want their representatives to prioritize it. On this momentous occasion, we are eager to continue working with the General Assembly and Governor Lamont to ensure that this historic legislation is fully enacted this session.”
More information about public support for the CTVRA is available here, and a report on how the legislation will help Connecticut become a national leader by meeting a critical local need is available here.
Signed; ACLU of Connecticut, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, Campaign Legal Center, Collaborative Center for Justice, Common Cause in Connecticut, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Connecticut NAACP State Conference, CSEA SEIU Local 2001, CT Alliance for Retired Americans, CT Shoreline Indivisible, FairVote Action, Greater Hartford NAACP, Greater New Haven NAACP, Hartford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Hispanic Federation, Connecticut Chapter, Island Worldwide, IndivisibleCT4 (ICT4), Indivisible Greenwich,Indivisible Stamford, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, League of Women Voters of Connecticut, Make Voting Easy - CT, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter, New Haven Peoples Center, Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut, Progressive Women of Greater Hartford, Safe Vote CT, Stand Up America, SEIU - CT State Council, Urban League of Greater Hartford
state-level Voting Rights Act that seeks to expand access to the freedom to vote and strengthen
protections against voting discrimination for communities of color throughout the state. The bill now moves to the Connecticut House of Representatives, which has the opportunity to enact this historic legislation by June 7th, when the current session ends. If passed, the CTVRA will immediately become one of the most comprehensive state-level voting rights acts in the country.
The Connecticut Voting Rights Act’s critical protections include:
● Launching a “preclearance” program requiring local governments with a record or other
signs of discrimination to prove that certain voting changes won’t harm voters of color
before they can go into effect.
● Providing new legal tools to fight discriminatory voting rules in court.
● Expanding language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency.
● Creating strong protections against voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction.
● Establishing a central hub for election data and demographic information to increase
transparency and help Connecticut voters fight for accessible elections.
In response to the passage of S.B. 1226, 33 civil rights, voting rights, labor, service, community,
and faith-based organizations issued the following statement:
“We applaud all members of the Connecticut Senate on the passage of S.B. 1226, a strong and comprehensive state voting rights act. We fully support this proposed legislation and commend the bill’s leading champions, Senator Mae Flexer and Representative Matt Blumenthal, for all their work to reach this point. At a time when other states across the country are restricting voting access— and despite inaction in Washington D.C. to cement this fundamental freedom--
Connecticut policymakers are standing up for the right to vote. We look forward to final passage in the House of Representatives. Once enacted and signed into law, the Connecticut Voting Rights Act will pave the way to a stronger, more inclusive democracy—both here in Connecticut and across the nation, as a model for other states.
“Every Connecticut voter should have an equal opportunity to cast their ballot fairly and accessibly. Across the state, this transformative bill is strongly backed with substantial, bipartisan support. Recent poll data indicates that an overwhelming majority of Connecticut voters, 81%, agree that, rather than depending upon the federal government, ‘Connecticut needs its own strong laws to ensure every eligible voter has equal access to the ballot.’ These polling results also reveal that 75% of Connecticut voters support the CTVRA across race and party lines, and that 89% of Black voters and 85% of Latino voters want their representatives to prioritize it. On this momentous occasion, we are eager to continue working with the General Assembly and Governor Lamont to ensure that this historic legislation is fully enacted this session.”
More information about public support for the CTVRA is available here, and a report on how the legislation will help Connecticut become a national leader by meeting a critical local need is available here.
Signed; ACLU of Connecticut, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), Bridgeport Generation Now Votes, Campaign Legal Center, Collaborative Center for Justice, Common Cause in Connecticut, Connecticut Citizen Action Group, Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Connecticut NAACP State Conference, CSEA SEIU Local 2001, CT Alliance for Retired Americans, CT Shoreline Indivisible, FairVote Action, Greater Hartford NAACP, Greater New Haven NAACP, Hartford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Hispanic Federation, Connecticut Chapter, Island Worldwide, IndivisibleCT4 (ICT4), Indivisible Greenwich,Indivisible Stamford, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, League of Women Voters of Connecticut, Make Voting Easy - CT, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Chapter, New Haven Peoples Center, Planned Parenthood Votes! Connecticut, Progressive Women of Greater Hartford, Safe Vote CT, Stand Up America, SEIU - CT State Council, Urban League of Greater Hartford
DEMOCRACY 2023
The CCRG Holiday Auction is LIVE!!
Click here to register and start shopping today!
CCRG's fabulous supporters have donated Truro beach houses...amazing concerts and plays...unique and handcrafted art and pottery...and much more.
You have to see it for yourself!
Find the perfect gift for yourself or those you love while supporting CCRG's groundbreaking work.
Bid on unique items and experiences starting at just $5 - while supporting groundbreaking research to increase public awareness and identify solutions for CT’s most pressing issues.
We all win!
Click here to register and start shopping today!
CCRG's fabulous supporters have donated Truro beach houses...amazing concerts and plays...unique and handcrafted art and pottery...and much more.
You have to see it for yourself!
Find the perfect gift for yourself or those you love while supporting CCRG's groundbreaking work.
Bid on unique items and experiences starting at just $5 - while supporting groundbreaking research to increase public awareness and identify solutions for CT’s most pressing issues.
We all win!
