Rep. Pizzuto Questions Provisions of Early Voting Implementation Bill

Hartford-The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday to implement early voting. State Representative Bill Pizzuto (R-71) voted in against to the proposal to have 14 days of early voting for a regular, general election.

“I’m concerned about the costs to cities and towns and about the availability of staffing for this very long process. Funding in future years, required staffing, lock boxes and other provisions were not clearly defined in this bill. Without those necessary safeguards as outlined, I can’t support the bill as written. During the November general election, Connecticut residents approved the ballot initiative to amend the state constitution and allow the General Assembly to make laws creating a system for electors to vote early,” said Pizzuto.

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.