Al Paolillo

To further help the victims of Hurricane Maria who have resettled in Connecticut, Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill joined legislators and community advocates to announce a voter registration drive that encourages Puerto Rican families to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

“Connecticut is happy to welcome our neighbors from Puerto Rico who have moved to Connecticut after Maria, and my office stands ready to help these families join in the civic life of their new communities by registering them to vote,” Merrill said. “U.S. citizens do not lose their right to vote just because they lost their homes to a devastating natural disaster. In fact, by registering to vote in Connecticut, these families will now be able to vote in federal elections, and have more of a say in public affairs.”

The Secretary of the State’s office will facilitate the voter registration drive by working with legislators, local governments, and community groups active in helping newly-arrived Puerto Rican families in Connecticut, identifying and registering eligible voters, and training community organizers to register voters as they provide services to affected families.

“The wave of families who fled Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria have lost everything: their homes, a stable living environment, a steady job and access to medical care. But they should not lose their right to make their voices heard. It is crucial that we encourage every Connecticut resident, including our new neighbors, to exercise their constitutional right to vote during the 2018 election,” said state Rep. Al Paolillo, D – New Haven.