It was proud to stand alongside Governor Ned Lamont on Tuesday as he signed into law HB 5001, which implements Absentee Voting for All and the nation's strongest protections against interference or intimidation in our elections by anyone — including the Trump administration. I was proud to co-author and lead passage of it through the House.
Public Act 26-42 removes outdated restrictions that previously limited absentee voting to individuals who could not appear in person on Election Day for a narrow set of reasons. With this change, any eligible voter who prefers to vote absentee may now do so.
This bill signing fulfills the promise Connecticut made to modernize our elections. In 2024, voters demanded Absentee Voting For All by overwhelmingly approving a constitutional amendment. The new law takes effect immediately.
To vote by absentee ballot, eligible voters must complete an absentee ballot application and submit it to their town clerk. Applications can also be submitted online through the Office of the Secretary of the State’s secure portal.
In addition to expanding ballot access, the law establishes the strongest protections against the Trump administration's threats to "nationalize" our elections. Public Act 26-42 prohibits federal law enforcement within 250 feet of polling places or other sensitive election sites without permission from state election officials or a court order. It also bans the wearing of masks except for medical or religious reasons and strengthens enforcement tools to prevent intimidation or interference. The law also empowers the Connecticut Attorney General to act against any attempts to disrupt our elections.
Absentee Voting For All will help ensure free and fair elections in Connecticut.
The right to vote is the fundamental right on which all other rights depend. Every voter deserves to cast their ballot freely, fairly, and without fear. By providing Absentee Voting for All and the nation's strongest protections against intimidation or interference, this bill will help ensure that's true in Connecticut. Implementing Absentee Voting for All has been the culmination of almost a decade of work, and I'm honored to have been a part of it.
