Join our email list for updates and action alerts: click here Contribute: click here
In Spite of the Pandemic, and because of your support, CCAG, in coalition with our state and national partners and Connecticut citizens, continues to take action on the planned issue agenda- including all we can to do to protect our democracy.
VICTORIES FROM THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND MORE WORK TO DO:
SB 1202 AAC Provisions Related to Revenue and Other Items to Implement in the State Budget for the Biennium. Crucial pieces of voting reforms from the original bill SB 5, along with many other positive policies, were passed in the “implementer bill.” Victories included Automatic Voter Registration expansion, allowing people on parole to vote, easing the delivery of absentee ballots, making drop boxes permanent and implementing an election monitor for Bridgeport elections. These are just a few of the reforms that will expand voting rights in Connecticut and make our elections accessible and fair for all of our residents.
HJ 58 Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment to Allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting. This resolution passed by a bipartisan majority in both chambers, but not by the 75% required to put a constitutional question on the ballot. It now must pass again in the next legislature by a simple majority. If it passes by a simple majority again in 2023, the question of removing the constitutional prohibition on no excuse absentee balloting will be placed on the 2024 ballot for voters.
HJ 59 Resolution Approving an Amendment to the State Constitution to Allow for Early Voting. A constitutional referendum to remove the constitutional prohibition against in person early voting will be put to voters in 2022. There was bipartisan support for this resolution, which only needed a simple majority to pass, having already passed the legislature by simple majority in 2019.
SB 1202 AAC Provisions Related to Revenue and Other Items to Implement in the State Budget for the Biennium. Crucial pieces of voting reforms from the original bill SB 5, along with many other positive policies, were passed in the “implementer bill.” Victories included Automatic Voter Registration expansion, allowing people on parole to vote, easing the delivery of absentee ballots, making drop boxes permanent and implementing an election monitor for Bridgeport elections. These are just a few of the reforms that will expand voting rights in Connecticut and make our elections accessible and fair for all of our residents.
HJ 58 Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment to Allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting. This resolution passed by a bipartisan majority in both chambers, but not by the 75% required to put a constitutional question on the ballot. It now must pass again in the next legislature by a simple majority. If it passes by a simple majority again in 2023, the question of removing the constitutional prohibition on no excuse absentee balloting will be placed on the 2024 ballot for voters.
HJ 59 Resolution Approving an Amendment to the State Constitution to Allow for Early Voting. A constitutional referendum to remove the constitutional prohibition against in person early voting will be put to voters in 2022. There was bipartisan support for this resolution, which only needed a simple majority to pass, having already passed the legislature by simple majority in 2019.
Actions and Activities this session included:
The Connecticut legislative session ends on June 9th!
While many states are moving backwards on voting rights, Connecticut can move our state forward by expanding voting rights.
Senate Bill 5 will help make elections in our state more accessible and representative, expand Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), make the 2020 absentee ballot drop boxes permanent, and restore voting rights to citizens on parole, re-enfranchising thousands of our community members.
It is now or never - here are two ways we can get SB 5 passed before it is too late...
First - Tell Speaker of the House Matt Ritter to pass it through the House!
We are so close to the finish line, and your activism and support have gotten us this far. Connecticut citizens have the right to fair and free elections - let’s make sure our legislators protect that right.
Below are press links covering the Senate vote:
NBC CT - http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=2929e7a9-561b-4efc-b5f8-1391c17d379d
WNPR- http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=3c0bd42d-86ca-4e8c-875c-87e51de63e9e
While many states are moving backwards on voting rights, Connecticut can move our state forward by expanding voting rights.
Senate Bill 5 will help make elections in our state more accessible and representative, expand Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), make the 2020 absentee ballot drop boxes permanent, and restore voting rights to citizens on parole, re-enfranchising thousands of our community members.
It is now or never - here are two ways we can get SB 5 passed before it is too late...
First - Tell Speaker of the House Matt Ritter to pass it through the House!
- Call Speaker Ritter at 860-240-8489 and tell him to pass SB 5 NOW to strengthen our democracy and the right to vote here in Connecticut.
- Hi, this is [NAME], and I’m calling you from [TOWN] to tell you to pass SB 5 in the House, which will protect every Connecticut voter’s right to be heard in our democracy. Thank you!
We are so close to the finish line, and your activism and support have gotten us this far. Connecticut citizens have the right to fair and free elections - let’s make sure our legislators protect that right.
Below are press links covering the Senate vote:
- 2021 Voting Rights Letter to Legislators signed by Connecticut Citizen Action Group and over 80 other orgs. across CT.
- Senators Work Together To Pass Voter Registration Measures | CTNewsJunkie
- CT Senate passes CT voting bill that would expand voting access to residents
NBC CT - http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=2929e7a9-561b-4efc-b5f8-1391c17d379d
WNPR- http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=3c0bd42d-86ca-4e8c-875c-87e51de63e9e
Last week the Senate passed HJ-59 to approve a 2022 ballot resolution to allow early, in-person, voting!
But with just days left in the legislative session, we are coming down to the wire on passing HJ-58, the ballot resolution to allow no-excuse absentee voting. The measure passed the House with bipartisan support, but is waiting to be called in the Senate.
Call your State Senator today- tell them to pass HJ-58 to allow for “No Excuse” Absentee Voting! Find your Senator here.
ELECTORAL
CCAG's Legislative Scorecard for the 2019-2020 session.
This scorecard shows how legislators voted on key issues in a manner that is representative of the breadth of the issues we work on. Please note for 2020, it only includes the votes for voting by mail in the 2020 Special Session due to COVID cutting the regular session short.
We hope you will find this resource helpful leading up to this historic election. Let's make our voices heard.
This scorecard shows how legislators voted on key issues in a manner that is representative of the breadth of the issues we work on. Please note for 2020, it only includes the votes for voting by mail in the 2020 Special Session due to COVID cutting the regular session short.
We hope you will find this resource helpful leading up to this historic election. Let's make our voices heard.
For democracy to work for all of us, every voter must have our voice heard and our vote counted. But our work doesn’t end there.
Join Connecticut residents, labor, faith and community organizations from across the state to ensure that every vote is counted nationwide.
On Wednesday, November 4 at noon, folks will be gathering in NEW HAVEN and in HARTFORD Attendees will be masked and social distancing at these events.
Join Connecticut residents, labor, faith and community organizations from across the state to ensure that every vote is counted nationwide.
On Wednesday, November 4 at noon, folks will be gathering in NEW HAVEN and in HARTFORD Attendees will be masked and social distancing at these events.
On Saturday, November 7th, join an even larger event in Hartford. RSVP HERE.
Looking for an event closer to you? Check out https://protecttheresults.com
Looking for an event closer to you? Check out https://protecttheresults.com
The Secretary of State’s office mailed an application for absentee ballots to every eligible voter. If you did not receive your app in the mail, contact your town clerk immediately.
Absentee Ballots began mailing on Oct. 2:
Voter registration deadlines, NOW is recommended:
Absentee ballot deadlines. You can submit your ballot using the drop box in your town. NOW is recommended
In the news: House Eases Pressure From Flood of Absentee Ballots. Connecticut News Junkie- by Hugh McQuaid | Sep 30, 2020 9:00pm
Absentee Ballots began mailing on Oct. 2:
- If voting by mail, we recommend you mail your ballot in now to ensure that it will be counted.
- If you are able, use your town’s ballot drop box located outside your Town Hall.
- You can check your voter status, including whether you're registered and if your ballot was received here.
Voter registration deadlines, NOW is recommended:
Absentee ballot deadlines. You can submit your ballot using the drop box in your town. NOW is recommended
- Request: Nov. 2.
- Return by mail: Received by Nov. 3, 8:00 p.m.
- Return in person: Nov. 3 by 8:00 p.m. recommend using your town's ballot drop box.
In the news: House Eases Pressure From Flood of Absentee Ballots. Connecticut News Junkie- by Hugh McQuaid | Sep 30, 2020 9:00pm
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
Congratulations to all for a successful August Special Session, your voices have been heard! Due to thousands of citizen's efforts, the following protection passed.
HB 6002 An Act Concerning Absentee Voting and Reporting of Results at the 2020 State Election and Election Day Registration: This bill adds a one-time COVID-19 excuse to safely vote absentee in the most important election of our lives- the 2020 general election on November 3rd.The House passed this bill with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote 144-2. The Senate voted 35 to 1.
DEMOCRACY 2020- Pre Covid.
Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). Important voting reforms that would have increased participation, would have saved towns money, and would have eliminated the nightmares we saw in some municipalities on election day in 2018 were never voted on in the Senate in 2019. In 2020 we have another chance at passage. CCAG will be pushing AVR and early voting this year in order to ensure that our democracy becomes stronger and more vibrant than ever. A public hearing was scheduled for Feb. 28th.
Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). Important voting reforms that would have increased participation, would have saved towns money, and would have eliminated the nightmares we saw in some municipalities on election day in 2018 were never voted on in the Senate in 2019. In 2020 we have another chance at passage. CCAG will be pushing AVR and early voting this year in order to ensure that our democracy becomes stronger and more vibrant than ever. A public hearing was scheduled for Feb. 28th.
CONNECT THE DOLLARS PROJECT (CDP) is a collaboration of Common Cause in CT and CT Citizen Action Group to expose attempts to buy our state.
At this time we are monitoring and analyzing independent expenditures which are designed to influence the preferences and behavior of voters. During a primary campaign or general election campaign period, committees spending on statewide or General Assembly candidates that in the aggregate exceed $1,000 must file reports within 24 hours of making or obligating to make the expenditure.
Like & Share the CDP Faceboook page to follow the money and connect the dollars!
Connecticut is witnessing exactly what opponents of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizen United ruling warned us about. Read the report here.
In a comprehensive review of all reported Independent Expenditures through October 11th- Connect the Dollars Project, (a collaboration of Common Cause in CT and CT Citizen Action Group) attempts to shine a light on how dirty money is corrupting the principle of one person one vote in CT and begin to educate the public about this. Read the Executive Summary here.
DEMOCRACY- VICTORIES AND MORE WORK TO DO 2019- updated June 15th 2019
SB 24, AAC Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). In a nutshell, important voting reforms that would have increased participation, would have saved towns money, and would have eliminated the nightmares we saw in some municipalities on election day in 2018 were never voted on in the Senate. We are pushing for this issue to be addressed in a September special session.
HJR161, for Early Voting passed, meaning it will go to the legislature one more time in 2021 and then can appear on the 2022 ballot for approval by voters. CCAG may come back next year to make a few improvements to the bill.
We successfully defended the critical Clean Elections Funding. These funds are attacked every year. Many candidates, for the roughly ten years of its operation, run without big donations from the wealthy few. You can find a direct link to clean elections in every victory listed above.
SB 24, AAC Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). In a nutshell, important voting reforms that would have increased participation, would have saved towns money, and would have eliminated the nightmares we saw in some municipalities on election day in 2018 were never voted on in the Senate. We are pushing for this issue to be addressed in a September special session.
HJR161, for Early Voting passed, meaning it will go to the legislature one more time in 2021 and then can appear on the 2022 ballot for approval by voters. CCAG may come back next year to make a few improvements to the bill.
We successfully defended the critical Clean Elections Funding. These funds are attacked every year. Many candidates, for the roughly ten years of its operation, run without big donations from the wealthy few. You can find a direct link to clean elections in every victory listed above.