Mail in Voting Now Available to All Eligible Voters Under Law Signed by Gov Ned Lamont
Gov Ned Lamont (D) has officially signed into law legislation that provides all eligible voters in Connecticut with the option to cast their ballots using absentee ballots, without needing a specific excuse.
The legislation removes long-standing state restrictions that limited absentee voting only to those who met specific criteria, such as illness, physical disability, or absence from their town on Election Day. This fundamental shift in state election law is the direct result of a State Constitutional amendment approved by voters in the November 2024 election, which passed by a decisive statewide margin of 843,153 to 610,694. Locally, New Britain voters supported the amendment by a tally of 9,461 to 6,149.
With the signing of this new law, Connecticut joins 28 other states that already offer “no-excuse” absentee voting to their residents and, in addition, eight states that conduct elections entirely by mail, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
State leaders highlighted the legislation as a necessary modernization of Connecticut’s democratic process.
“This change puts us in line with the overwhelming majority of states that have allowed all voters to cast absentee ballots for many years,” Gov Lamont said. “We should be doing everything we can to encourage qualified voters to participate in elections and have their voices heard, and this is a responsible step forward in that direction.”
Lt Gov Susan Bysiewicz (D) emphasized that the legislation removes hurdles that have historically prevented citizens from voting.
“Ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot to elect their representation is fundamental to a healthy democracy,” Lt Governor Bysiewicz said. “By expanding access to absentee ballots, we are removing unnecessary barriers and making it easier for people to participate in the process that shapes their communities. Thank you to the partnership of legislative leaders who worked to make this long overdue reform a reality.”
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (D) noted that in addition to increasing voter access, the legislation bolsters election security and provides stronger protections for election workers.
“Without free and fair elections, everything else is at risk. HB 5001 strengthens Connecticut’s representative democracy by expanding access to the ballot while also strengthening the systems that protect that ballot,” Secretary Thomas said. “This law gives every eligible voter the freedom to apply for an absentee ballot, moves Connecticut toward risk-limiting audits, and strengthens protections for voters, election workers, and sensitive election sites. At a time when national rhetoric and federal actions have raised concerns about election interference, voter intimidation, and attempts to nationalize election administration, Connecticut is making clear that our elections will remain free, fair, local, transparent, and accountable to the people of this state.”
The path to this legislation included significant public advocacy and a long road. Advocates had for years pressed for universal mail-in voting to expand access to voters. Prior to the 2024 vote, organizations like the League of Women Voters of Connecticut strongly advocated for the amendment, arguing that the choice of voting method should belong entirely to the voter without the need to justify it.
Despite the Constitutional amendment’s passage in 2024, implementation did not occur immediately. Universal absentee voting was not available for the 2025 city elections, as the legislature did not bring the implementing legislation to a full vote that year. Rep Manny Sanchez (D-24) and Rep David DeFronzo (D-26) were the only New Britain legislators given the opportunity to vote, in 2025 a committee vote, on the legislation for a right to vote by mail. They both voted in in favor of it.
Connecticut previously experienced a successful trial run of widespread mail-in voting during the 2020 pandemic, when temporary measures allowed all voters to use absentee ballots. That year saw historic usage, with over 650,000 absentee ballots cast and an exceptionally low rejection rate of less than 1%, proving the viability of the system, according to then-Secretary of the State Denise Merrill (D).
For information on applying for an absentee ballot, when they become available closer to primaries and elections, voters can visit the Secretary of the State’s website at myvote.ct.gov.
Qualified voters must fill out an absentee ballot request application and submit it to their town clerk. The office of Interim New Britain Town and City Clerk Veronica T DeLandro says that a, “completed absentee ballot application can be mailed to:
Town & City Clerk
City of New Britain – Attn: Elections
27 West Main Street – Room #109
New Britain, CT 06051
Applications can also be completed and submitted online through a dedicated portal on the Office of the Secretary of the State’s website.
