September 18, 2020

Capitol Update: New Executive Orders Regarding Fines and Travel Advisory, How to Vote by Absentee Ballot, and Announcement from CT DOL

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Executive Order 9B: Fines & Travel

This week, Governor Lamont signed Executive Order 9B, which makes changes to the state’s travel policy and enacts fines for individuals, groups, and organizations that violate the state’s mask and social distancing policies.

Changes to Travel Policy:

Under the new order, all individuals coming from a state with a high infection rate (see updated travel advisory below) who obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours prior to arriving in Connecticut may avoid the state’s 14-day self-quarantine rule. This went into effect at 12:01 a.m. today.

Issuance of Fines:

The order authorizes the Commissioner of Public Health, local health departments, municipal chief elected officers, and state and local police to issue fines for violations of certain COVID-19 protective measures.

The fines include…

A $100 fine for failing to wear a mask or cloth face covering (see Executive Order 7NNN requiring face covering)
A $250 fine for individuals for attending a gathering exceeding size limits (100 people outdoor/25 indoor)
A $500 fine for any person or business entity for organizing, hosting, or sponsoring a gathering exceeding size limits

See DECD Rules for Gatherings and Venues and Sector Rules for Outdoor Events for more information.

Updated Travel Advisory – September 15, 2020

As of September 15, 2020, the following U.S. states and territories meet the criteria for the tri-state travel advisory:

Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Puerto Rico
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin

REMOVED:

California
Hawaii
Maryland
Minnesota
Nevada
Ohio

ADDED:

Puerto Rico

To read the latest about the tri-state travel advisory, c lick here.

How to Vote by Absentee Ballot

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we conduct business, educate our children, and go about our daily lives. It has also changed our election process.

In July, the legislature passed a bill, now law, making all residents of legal voting age eligible to vote by absentee ballot (AB) in the November general election citing COVID-19 as their reason. All you need to do is check the box on the application.

We passed this legislation because it is important that all residents have the opportunity to exercise on of their most basic rights in a way that is safe and secure during this public health crisis.

Here’s how the process works:

STEP ONE:

Absentee ballot applications are being mailed to all registered voters this month. Some of you may have received your by now, and if not, you should be receiving one soon. You may also access the application online through the Secretary of the State’s (SOTS) website.

STEP TWO:

Complete your application and return it by mail via the United States Postal Service (USPS) or place it in an Official Ballot Drop Box. Below are locations in New Canaan and Wilton where you can either mail or return your application.

New Canaan:

Mail to: Town Clerk, P.O. Box 447, New Canaan, CT 06840

Wilton:

Wilton Police Department, 238 Danbury Road
OR mail to: Wilton Town Clerk, Wilton Town Hall, 238 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897

Note: The drop boxes are secure, checked daily, and available 24/7.

STEP THREE:

Once applications have been received, official absentee ballots will be mailed to you beginning October 2, 2020. Complete and return your absentee ballot in the same manner as your absentee ballot application (USPS or Official Ballot Drop Box).

Only immediate family members and health care providers may assist an individual with their ballot.

All absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. If you submit an absentee ballot, your name will be removed from the voter list at your in-person polling location so residents cannot vote twice.

Below are some additional resources for you regarding our local election processes.

ELECTION RESOURCES:

New Canaan Town Clerk: Click Here

Wilton Town Clerk: Click Here

Absentee Ballot Application: Click Here

Absentee Ballot Fact Sheet: Click Here

Explanation of Absentee Ballot Process: Click Here

Voter Registration Lookup: Click Here

Additional Election Information from the SOTS: Click Here

DOL Extension of Funds

The Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program has been extended by an additional week for a total of six weeks. LWA provides an additional $300 per week to claimants receiving a weekly benefit of at least $100 (including the dependency allowance). The program picks up where the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program (supplemental $600/week) left off in late July. LWA is available to individuals experiencing unemployment, or partial unemployment, as a result of the pandemic.

Payments to eligible recipients began today, September 17, 2020.

Please read the full press release from the CT Department of Labor for more information: Click Here

If you have any questions about these bills or any other state issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Email: Tom.ODea@housegop.ct.gov