February 3, 2012

VOTING: THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY
By State Reps. Peggy Sayers and David Baram

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy and it is important to continually look for new ways to encourage more people to cast their ballots at elections.

While the overwhelming majority of people who are registered to vote do so in national presidential elections, voter turnout falls considerably in state and local campaign years. Less than 30% of voters went to the polls for November’s municipal elections and only 57% voted in the 2010 gubernatorial and congressional elections. Voter turnout plummets even further for primaries to select a party’s nominee as well as town referendums.

We were heartened recently when during the state’s commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill unveiled a proposal that focuses on the preservation of voting rights and expanding access to voter registration.

To improve the efficiency of registering new voters and maintaining a more accurate voter file, their proposed legislation would establish an online voter registration process. It would also allow for Election Day registration in an effort to improve voter turnout. In addition, the legislation would increase penalties for anyone who blocks or impedes voter access at the polls.

Finally, they call for parameters governing the use of absentee ballots to be set in statute, as opposed to the state constitution, which would give the legislature leeway to adopt laws that make it easier for voters to have access to absentee ballots.

Though some states are passing new laws that will actually make it tougher for people to vote, we believe we need to work toward increasing voter participation in elections as well as upgrading our registration systems to take advantage of the efficiencies offered by new technologies.

With these goals in mind, during last year’s legislation session we introduced a bill to allow what is known as “no-excuse” absentee voting, which is currently already done in at least 30 states.

Under present law, registered voters seeking an absentee ballot must provide a valid reason why they cannot vote at their polling location on Election Day. Reasons such as illness, military deployment and planned travel are considered acceptable.

There are also other reasons why people can’t vote and we should eliminate as many of the barriers possible that deter people from voting. Many factors such as age, physical infirmities, transportation, work schedules and weather conditions prevent people from going to the polling stations on Election Day. The concept of “no-excuse” absentee ballots will provide ample opportunity for all residents to vote.

A 2010 League of Women Voters study noted that “no-excuse” absentee ballots:

• Allow voters to cast their vote when they are able and better balance work and family schedules with their civic duty to vote
• Eliminate problems with ballots being cast in the wrong precinct and reduce provisional ballots
• Reduce lines on election days and thus costs by reducing the number of precincts and poll workers

This approach will give more people a say in who represents them in their town, the state, congress and as our president. We are very encouraged by the governor and secretary of the state’s proposal and look forward to working with them when the 2012 legislature convenes on February 8.

Voting remains the foundation of our democracy and we must keep that foundation strong.