House Passes Constitutional Amendment to Allow No-Excuse Absentee Voting
May 11, 2023The House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution 1 on Wednesday, which means you will get to decide if we amend the state constitution to allow no-excuse absentee voting.
Connecticut's rules for absentee voting are among the most restrictive in the U.S. and are enshrined in its constitution. A constitutional amendment is required to remove restrictions on absentee voting.
Absentee voting works, which we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effective and safe manner.
Voting is a fundamental American right. Eligible voters in Connecticut should have the freedom to choose how they vote whether it’s in-person on Election Day, in-person for two weeks prior to Election Day, which just passed the House last week, or by absentee ballot without needing to provide an excuse.
My colleagues and I also passed House Bill 6823, which puts elections in the hands of the Constitutional office that manages elections. This commonsense bill designates the Secretary of the State as the state official responsible for certifying presidential electors. CLICK HERE to learn more.
We didn't simply pass bills involving voting and elections. We also approved House Bill 6734, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of psilocybin. The drug has been found to be a potential treatment against anxiety, depression, and other mental ailments. Two years ago, I spoke about the medical benefits of certain drugs on National Public Radio's "Where We Live."