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VOTER REGISTRATION
The following is summarized from the websites of the Connecticut General Assembly (www.cga.ct.gov/), the Office of the State of Connecticut Secretary of the State (www.sots.ct.gov/) and Project Vote Smart (http://vote-smart.org/index.htm).
ADMINISTRATION
Voter registration is administered through the Office of the Secretary of the State.
REGISTRATION FORMS
Registration is necessary to vote in local, state and national elections. Voter registration application forms can be obtained from the Registrar of Voters or Town Clerk at any town/city hall in Connecticut. Registration can be done in person or by mail-in application. Forms may also be obtained at public libraries, Dept. of Motor Vehicles and other state agency offices, and on the Secretary of State’s website: (www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/Elecform.html) In-person registration must be done by noon of the day before a primary and by 14 days before an election. Mailed applications must be postmarked at least 5 days before a primary and 14 days before an election.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
Any U.S. citizen who is a bona fide Connecticut resident and will be at least 18 years old by the day of an election may register to vote. Anyone with a temporary or permanent physical disability can have an application mailed to them or request a Registrar visit at their residence. A registered voter who is unable to vote in person may request an absentee ballot.
Voters must enroll with a political party in order to vote in that party’s primary. A party affiliation can be designated with registration. Voters who wish to change or drop their party affiliation can do so by notifying the Registrar. A U.S. citizen who is not registered may obtain a Presidential Ballot just to vote for President/Vice President from the Registrar or Town Clerk.
EXCEPTION TO DEADLINE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION
The deadline for registering to vote in Connecticut is October 19. HOWEVER, any U.S. citizen "who comes of age, moves into town or becomes a naturalized citizen after October 19 can register up until Monday, November 1st - 12 noon" and vote for President/Vice President. Contact the town Registrar of Voters for further info.
State law permits a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and is either a resident of a Connecticut town but not a registered voter or a former resident who has moved within 30 days before Election Day to another jurisdiction where the deadline for voter registration has passed to apply for and vote a presidential ballot. Such a voter can cast a vote for president and vice president, but not any other office. The person must apply to the town clerk no sooner than 45 days before the election, and can do so up until the polls close on Election Day (8 pm). The clerk must be satisfied that the applicant is eligible for the ballot and the applicant signs a statement that the information he provides is true. The application form is signed under the same penalty for false statement in absentee voting. The offense is a class D felony for which the penalty is one to five years in prison, up to a $5,000 fine, or both.
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Voter Registration Offices
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SOURCES: Conn. General Assembly website; Project Vote Smart website; Secretary of the State, Conn. website
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2008
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