Connecticut Debuts Election Day Registration

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This month's municipal elections in Connecticut marked the first time voters in the state could register on Election Day. In Connecticut, Election Day Registration is not available at polling places. Instead, each town has a designated Election Day Registration location.

Secretary of State Denise Merrill estimates that between 1,500 and 2,000 people took advantage of Election Day Registration and that it was particularly popular in New Haven. She noted, "This is the first election it's in effect and it did very well; we had no problems."

Secretary Merrill tweeted that turnout was 31% statewide--a high of 77% in Bridgewater and a low of 5.21% in Hartford.

Learn more about the states that allow Election or Same-Day Registration. 

Election Day Registration Coming to Connecticut

Earlier this year, we tracked legislation in Connecticut that would allow for online registration (with a valid and current driver's license) and Election Day Registration.

As of last weekend, it appears that Connecticut will get both. The bill, passed by both the House and the Senate, goes to Governor Malloy who plans to sign it, saying "People are the key to our democracy, and this legislation improves participation in the most fundamental way—the ballot box."

Election Day Registration has been supported by advocates of increasing turnout in Connecticut where one out of three eligible voters is not registered. Secretary of State Merrill said, "We have the technology to allow eligible voters to register online from any computer or mobile device, and we have the security in place to allow those late deciding, busy and mobile voters to register and cast ballots on Election Day."

Once signed into law, Connecticut will become the 10th state--in addition to the District of Columbia--to enact Election Day Registration. Learn more about voter registration in your state and read our Election Day Registration factsheet in English and Spanish.

Connecticut Looks to Expand Registration Opportunities

On Monday, Connecticut Governor Malloy and Secretary of State Merrill held a press conference where they called for preserving and expanding access to voter registration.

The governor is proposing legislation that would allow for online registration (with a valid and current driver's license), Election Day Registration, and for absentee ballots to be governed by statute—giving legislators the power to adopt laws that address voters who cannot get to the polls on Election Day. The proposed legislation would also increase penalties on any effort to block or impede voter access.

In addition to helping voters register more easily, these reforms can help the state make registration more efficient and keep a more accurate voter file. Secretary Merrill noted that "Many states have already made these reforms and by taking these important steps forward we can include a younger generation of voters and expand participation in our democracy."

The proposals will be introduced for the legislative session beginning in February. Hopefully they can be passed and adopted quickly. Whatever the result, cheers to Connecticut for looking to expand voter registration opportunities!

Connecticut Looks to Improve Elections

Last week we cheered California legislators who passed laws that will make it easier to register to vote. Now we want to shine a spotlight on the other coast. In Connecticut, Secretary of State Denise Merrill is looking to build support for election improvements that would incorporate technology and cut costs. She wants to create a more "centralized" election system and encourage greater youth participation. Merrill also expressed support for a constitutional amendment that would allow early voting--an option Connecticut cannot even currently consider because of the state constitution's restrictive wording.

In discussing her ideas for improving elections in Connecticut, Secretary Merrill emphasized preparedness-- particularly in light of last year's midterm election when some Bridgeport polling sites ran out of ballots. What's your Secretary of State doing--or not--to improve elections?

Connecticut Seeks to Improve Elections

Great news: Connecticut is looking for ways to improve and update their election systems! Earlier this week, Secretary of State Denise Merrill convened an Election Performance Task Force to review Connecticut's election system and recommend improvements. Members of the task force include Secretary Merrill and her deputy, town clerks, representatives from Common Cause, Demos and the Connecticut League of Women Voters, voter registrars, a member of the state elections enforcement commission, and others (see the full Task Force).

The group's goal is to make voting more convenient for voters, while also incorporating innovative technology that will make conducting elections easier for local officials. Additionally, the task force will look at turnout gaps and examine any registration or voting barriers. Possible reforms could include the adoption of online voter registration or Election Day registration, as well as reforms to the absentee ballot process, and changes that would create greater consistency from town to town. Task force meetings are open to the public and information about the task force will be posted on the Secretary of State's website.

The force's formation comes after an announcement last month that the state was awarded a federal grant of $1,184,441 from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission that can be used to enhance voting technology--such as maintaining or enhancing optical scan voting machines, testing or investing in new voting systems for disabled voters, and making improvements to the state Centralized Voter Registration database.

Congrats to Secretary Merrill and her staff for their forward thinking, hard work, and leadership in improving elections in Connecticut!

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