Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2023

CONTACT: press@securedemocracyusa.org

CT voters support accessible, fully funded elections and stronger voting rights protections

Sen. Slap, Rep. Blumenthal express support for pro-voter action


HARTFORD, Conn.  – More than seven in ten Connecticut voters want state elections to be fully funded and support robust early voting opportunities, according to a new poll commissioned by the nonpartisan election policy group Secure Democracy USA.

Conducted by the SurveyUSA in March 2023, the poll found that Connecticut voters across the political spectrum strongly support numerous proposals to make voting more accessible which are currently being considered by state lawmakers. 

Here's what advocates and lawmakers are saying:

“Connecticut voters are sending a clear signal to political leaders in the state that they support free, fair, and accessible elections that are fully funded,” said Evan Preston, advocacy director at Secure Democracy USA. “It’s time for state lawmakers to work together and take action so Connecticut elections continue to be accessible and inclusive for all voters.”

“As the Senate Vice Chair of the committee that oversees voting in Connecticut, I am committed to passing reforms that make voting more accessible to all eligible voters," said Sen. Derek Slap. "While Connecticut is regarded as a progressive state, and we are in many ways, our voting system is antiquated and unfair compared to most other states. The land of steady habits has sadly earned its nickname when it comes to voting and our residents have suffered as a result. It is past-time we enact reforms like early voting and voting through no-excuse absentee ballots so we can ensure that every voice is heard and counted.”

“Early voting is crucial for ensuring that every person has an equal opportunity to participate in our democracy by casting their ballot. It increases accessibility, encourages participation, and makes the political process more engaging,” said Rep. Matt Blumenthal. “It’s time for Connecticut to take action and allow early voting to make our elections more inclusive to all voters.”

The key findings of the poll include:

Connecticut voters want fully funded state elections

  • 71% of Connecticut voters support legislators taking action to fully fund the state’s elections, with support from 82% of Democrats, 63% of Republicans, and 63% of Independents.

Strong support for establishing early voting opportunities

  • 72% support providing Connecticut voters with at least 10 days to cast a ballot early in-person before Election Day, including 87% of Democrats, 54% of Republicans, and 69% of Independents.

  • 70% of Connecticut voters support providing at least four weekend days to cast a ballot during the early voting period

  • 71% of Connecticut voters support allowing same-day registration for voters during the early voting period, similar to the current process that allows voters to register on Election Day.

Connecticut voters want to improve vote by mail policies

  • 68% support allowing all registered voters to request an absentee ballot and 60% support establishing a permanent absentee voter list.

  • 69% support providing prepaid return postage for absentee ballots, as the state did temporarily in 2020.

  • 72% support allowing eligible voters to fix small errors, such as a missing signature on their ballot envelope, to ensure their legal vote is not tossed out.

Voting rights restoration to formerly incarcerated individuals is popular

  • 63% support guaranteeing the eligibility to vote for all citizens 18 and older, including citizens who are completing a sentence outside of prison, such as on probation or parole.

Strong support for additional protections for voters

  • 81% support the legislature taking action to pass state laws that protect voters to be able to cast their ballot without interference, instead just depending on the federal voting protections. 

  • 90% of Connecticut voters want their representative to prioritize making sure all Connecticut voters can exercise their freedom to vote without discrimination or unnecessary barriers to the ballot.


Methodology

SurveyUSA interviewed 1,050 adults from the entire state of Connecticut online from March 23, 2023 to March 28, 2023, using a sample provided by Lucid Holdings LLC of New Orleans. Of the adults, 863 were identified by SurveyUSA as being registered to vote and were asked substantive questions in the poll. Data is weighted to US Census targets for gender, age, ethnicity, education, and home ownership, and to Connecticut’s voter registration by party statistics. View a memo detailing the results here and the full poll briefing here.

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