Mar 28 UPDATE: We will also call on Gov. Lamont to allow no-excuse absentee ballots for the Nov 3 general election. The preparations must begin now in case there are still coronavirus public health concerns in the fall.

Mar 19 UPDATE! It was just announced that CT's primary is postponed until June 2. But still no plan to offer no-excuse absentee ballots. Coronavirus not going away soon. Ask Gov. Lamont to make voting safe. Our petition is still relevant and important!

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With the danger of the coronavirus threat affecting every aspect of our daily lives, social distancing is a key strategy for reducing the risk of spreading the Covid19 virus, and keeping everyone safe.

It's impossible to know where things will stand on April 28, the day of the presidential primary in Connecticut, but likely we will still need to exercise caution. Going to the polls will carry real and perceived dangers that could substantially reduce voter turnout. The idea of hundreds of people waiting in lines and voting in close proximity to each other violates the guidelines of social distancing. Voter after voter using the same pens and touching the same surfaces in voting booths could expose us to unacceptable risks.

Connecticut needs an alternative to voting in person on April 28. However, because the state constitution restricts voting by absentee ballot to a very narrow set of circumstances, we don't have no-excuse absentee ballots as do many other states.

However, Gov. Lamont has declared a state of emergency, giving him broad powers. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has called on the governor to use those powers to issue an executive order allowing absentee ballots to be used for the April 28 primary, announcing in a press release that "In order to ensure that Connecticut voters are able to cast a ballot on April 28th, absentee ballots must be available for voters who want to follow public health advice and avoid polling places."

We urge Gov. Lamont to follow Secretary Merrill's suggestion and issue such an executive order.

Voters are currently allowed to get an absentee ballot because of “an illness.” Secretary Merrill argues that the current public health emergency of COVID-19 should qualify as an “illness” justification to request an absentee ballot. Her opinion only applies to the April 28th presidential primary.

Ensuring access to the polls is the foundation of our democracy, and must be protected. This simple move would do just that during this extraordinary, and unprecedented time.

Voter Choice Connecticut is the citizens' movement to bring ranked choice voting to Connecticut. We have launched this petition to protect Connecticut voters' ability to safely cast a ballot in the upcoming presidential primary election.