Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2021

CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org

New Poll: 70% of Connecticut Voters Support No-Excuse Absentee Voting

HARTFORD, Conn.— Secure Democracy today released the results of a statewide survey of Connecticut voters conducted by Survey USA. An overwhelming 70% of voters indicated they support allowing all voters to vote by absentee ballot.

Connecticut is currently one of just 17 states that require a legal excuse to vote absentee. Due to coronavirus and health concerns, Connecticut enacted a number of temporary changes to elections in 2020. For the first time, any voter in Connecticut was able to request and vote by absentee ballot, and the state paid postage on those ballots. Additionally, the legislature approved the use of drop boxes for the secure return of absentee ballots.

Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill is now supporting a host of voting reforms currently before the General Assembly, including efforts to revise Connecticut’s state constitution to allow for early voting and no-excuse absentee voting moving forward.

“This survey makes it clear that Connecticut voters are ready to modernize their elections,” said Sarah Walker, vice president of advocacy at Secure Democracy. “Secretary Merrill has been a champion of voting reforms in Connecticut, and it’s unquestionable she has voters overwhelming support in these efforts.”

The survey found strong support for a host of voting reforms proposed by Secretary of State Merrill. 79% of voters support allowing early voting, 79% of voters support allowing elections officials to notify voters of a mistake on their absentee ballot, 79% of voters support using secure drop boxes for returning absentee ballots, and 77% support establishing an automatic voter registration process at the Department of Motor Vehicles. 

“After the success of temporarily expanding access to absentee ballots to every voter in the 2020 election, Connecticut voters are saying loud and clear that they want that option in every election going forward,” said Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. “No voter should ever have to choose between their health and their right to vote. Allowing voters the option to vote by absentee ballot without needing an excuse will ensure that no Connecticut voter is put in that position again.”

The survey also found strong support for other voting reforms in front of the General Assembly this year, including 66% of respondents supporting restoring voting rights to individuals with past felony convictions who have completed their prison sentence.

Read other key findings of the survey of 808 Connecticut voters here. The poll was conducted between Jan. 11 and 17.

###

About Secure Democracy

Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan organization that works to educate policymakers and the public about secure and fair elections. By collaborating with state leaders, election administrators, election security experts the organization helps to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote and the confidence to know that their vote is counted.