August 23, 2022

Editorial: “What’s on My Ballot this Fall?”

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

First, I want to thank everyone who came out to vote in the recent Connecticut Primary Elections. Sooner or later, we will be voting again as the 2022 General Election quickly approaches. There are so many ways you can prepare for Election Day, however this fall, we will see an additional question that is critical to maintaining fairness for future state elections.

During the 2019-2020 Legislative Session, the state legislature considered ways to implement early voting measures. Without the required 75% supermajority supportive vote, a similar amendment (HJ No.59) was introduced in the 2021-2022 session for an additional vote. Although the House and Senate approved the measures, our constitution requires CT voters to give the legislature authority to begin the lawmaking process for early voting.

So, when you see the following question on your ballot, “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?”, it’s important for you to know what you are voting for.

A vote “no”, means that you do not think state lawmakers should have the open-ended ability to define early voting in Connecticut. On the other hand, a vote “yes” declares that you authorize state lawmakers to determine what they believe early voting should look like.

Therefore, what this question determines isn’t whether we are in favor of early voting, but it decides if our legislators can have complete control over how we cast our future votes. Does giving elected officials control over how they are elected sound trustworthy to you?

If approved, this amendment could see a loose mixture of three early voting styles. The first is “in-person” which means voters can cast their ballot prior to Election Day. Next, is “no-excuse absentee”, permitting voters to apply for an absentee ballot without a common out-of-state excuse. Third, states can reinstate mailing absentee ballot applications to households, despite voters participating at the polls or via absentee, which was experienced at the height of COVID-19.

For these methods, more specifically the third, the pandemic was a catalyst for engineering new ways to access voting. It’s no argument that unprecedented times may require unprecedented measures, however that time is over.

It’s our responsibility as Connecticut voters to reestablish honesty, integrity, and transparency in our elections. By giving this authority to the state legislature, their definition of early voting will be unpredictable without a clear outline on their intentions and ultimate interpretation.

If anyone would like to learn more or ask questions regarding other state issues, never hesitate to email me at Lezlye.Zupkus@housegop.ct.gov, or call my office at 860-240-8700. You can also visit www.facebook.com/RepZupkus for more frequent updates.