My Thoughts on “No Excuse” Absentee Voting

This November, residents will have the opportunity to determine whether or not to modify our constitution to allow for “No Excuse” absentee voting. Due to the magnitude of this issue, I wanted to take a minute to share some of my thoughts.

The question being posed to voters is “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”

Our top priority should always be ensuring the integrity of our elections, both at a municipal and state-wide level. Unfortunately, the debate over election integrity has become contentious and partisan. Political buzzwords like disenfranchised and voter suppression are thrown at those who suggest identification or signature verification are unjust requirements to casting a ballot.

No one wants to disenfranchise voters, but when improprieties occur like they have in places like Bridgeport and others, not doing more to ensure the security of our elections in order to avoid repeat incidents, unfortunately does just that.

As far as voting by absentee ballots is concerned, the Secretary of the State’s Office defines those eligible to receive an absentee ballot if “in your judgment, an absence from your town on Election Day prevents you from appearing at your polling place, or you are prevented from appearing at your assigned polling place on Election Day because of sickness or physical disability (not necessarily your sickness or disability), active service in the Military, religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election, duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own during all of the hours of voting.”

For me it begs the question, is “No Excuse” absentee voting really necessary? Personally, I don’t think so. With the most recent changes to extend the amount of time residents have to vote (and now, to vote early) and the broad definitions on who can request an absentee ballot, it seems redundant to possibly add to our already expansive array of absentee options.

Our residents deserve fair and honest elections where bad actors are punished to the full extent of the law. That can only happen when we eliminate circumstances where these improprieties can occur. Removing COVID-era drop boxes and requiring identification when filling out a ballot shouldn’t be partisan issues, they are meant to ensure our elections are safe and secure and no voter is disenfranchised by dishonest individuals.