Rep. Callahan Expresses Concerns with Early Voting Implementation Bill

Hartford-The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday to implement early voting. State Representative Patrick Callahan (R-108) voted in opposition to the proposal to have 14 days of early voting for a regular, general election. The measure awaits action in the Senate.

“While residents did vote in favor of the idea of early voting, the bill before us went further than a recommendation from the Secretary of the State’s Office. This bill would allow for 14 days of early voting, which would come at a significant cost to municipalities in terms of staffing, security, and operations. Participation in elections is a key component of our democracy and I want Connecticut residents to feel confident in that process,” said Callahan.

According to the bill taken up by the House, early voting would not be allowed for referenda.

If signed into law, early voting would occur at a designated, centralized location approved by the Secretary of the State between 10am and 6pm on all designated days of early voting, except on the last Tuesday and the last Thursday during the early voting period; the hours for those two days are 8am to 8pm.

For municipalities with populations larger than 20,000 residents, a public hearing must be held if a second location is going to be designated for early voting.