Rep. Foncello Opposes Early Voting Implementation Bill Over Cost Concerns

Hartford-The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday to implement early voting. State Representative Martin Foncello (R-107) voted in opposition to the proposal to have 14 days of early voting for a regular, general election.

“Three or four days immediately prior to the election would have been sufficient. 14 days is too long. We could have eventually worked up to a longer period of early voting if needed,” said Foncello.

During the November general election, residents passed an amendment to the state constitution allowing the General Assembly to make laws creating a system for electors to vote early.

“I don’t believe the funding earmarked in the state budget for this program will be sufficient to support the additional administrative burden placed on our municipalities. This new state mandate will lead to overtime costs for local election officials, as well as the operation of a centralized voting location. I’m also concerned about the security of the ballots during this very long program,” said Foncello.

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.

The measure awaits action in the Senate.