Election 2022: Everything Connecticut residents need to know before voting this year

Editor’s Note: This article is part of CT Mirror’s Spanish-language news coverage developed in partnership with Identidad Latina Multimedia.

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On Tuesday, Nov. 8, millions of Americans will head to the polls to cast their ballots — among them Connecticut voters, who will choose state leaders and decide who will represent them in the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

Candidates running for some local offices will be on the ballot as well.

Here’s what you need to know.

Voting

Connecticut residents can register on the Office of the Secretary of the State’s website, or by printing a voter registration form and mailing or delivering it to their local town hall.

When is the deadline to register to vote?

The seventh day before the election, which this year is Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Can I register to vote on the day of the election?

Yes — but not at your polling location. Towns will have designated Election Day Registration locations set up. The 2022 list of locations has not been published yet, but will be posted here.

How can I check if I’m registered?

Through the Secretary of the State’s office’s Voter Registration Lookup.

How do I find my polling location? Has it changed?

You can confirm your polling place on the Secretary of the State’s website.

It may have changed. Towns can change polling places in any election cycle, but because the once-a-decade redistricting process took place earlier this year, more polling places than usual could be different.

What if I recently moved?

If you’ve moved to another town, you must re-register in your new municipality. If you moved within the same town, you must change your address. Both can be done through an online portal.

What time are polls open?

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone who is in line at 8 p.m. will be able to vote.

Can I vote absentee?

Yes. Per Connecticut law, voters who cannot appear at their assigned polling place on election day for several reasons (among them absence from the town that day, active military service, sickness and religious tenets) can vote absentee.

Voters can request an absentee ballot online or by completing a paper application and returning it to their town clerk. Voters who want to request a ballot within six days of an election must fill out an emergency application, which is only granted to those who meet certain criteria.

Absentee ballots will be sent out by mail and can be returned by mail or in-person to the address listed on the ballot.

Is ID required to vote?

No. If you don’t have a government-issued ID, you can present a different ID with your name and photo, a credit card with your name and signature, or any document with your name and address (such as a utility bill or checkbook). 

Voters who don’t provide any identification will be asked to sign an affidavit instead.

On the Ballot: Statewide

This is a statewide election year, meaning all of Connecticut’s constitutional officers (governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of the state, attorney general, comptroller and treasurer) are up for election.

One of Connecticut’s U.S. Senators — Sen. Richard Blumenthal — is running for re-election as well.

Here’s who will be on every Connecticut voter’s ballot:

U.S. Senate
Richard Blumenthal (D) (Incumbent)
Leora Levy (R)

Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz (D) (Incumbent)
Bob Stefanowski and Rep. Laura Devlin (R)
Rob Hotaling and Stewart “Chip” Beckett (Independent)

Attorney General
William Tong (D) (Incumbent)
Jessica Kordas (R)
A.P. Pascarella (Independent)
Ken Krayeske (Green)

Secretary of the State
Stephanie Thomas (D)
Dominic Rapini (R)
Cynthia R. Jennings (Independent)

Treasurer
Erick Russell (D)
Harry Arora (R)
Jennifer Baldwin (Independent)
JoAnna Laiscell (Libertarian)

Comptroller
Sean Scanlon (D)
Mary Fay (R)

On the Ballot: By Region

Connecticut has five U.S. representatives, all of whom are running for re-election this year.

If you’re unsure which district you live in or who represents you, the Office of the Secretary of the State’s website outlines the towns that make up each district and who represents them.

1st Congressional District
John Larson (D) (Incumbent)
Larry Lazor (R)
Mary Sanders (Green)

2nd Congressional District
Joe Courtney (D) (Incumbent)
Mike France (R)
William Hall (Libertarian)
Kevin Blacker (Green)

3rd Congressional District
Rosa DeLauro (D) (Incumbent)
Lesley DeNardis (R)
Amy Chai (Independent)
Justin Paglino (Green)

4th Congressional District
Jim Himes (D) (Incumbent)
Jayme Stevenson (R)

5th Congressional District
Jahana Hayes (D) (Incumbent)
George Logan (R)

Voters will also choose the state representatives and state senators who make up the Connecticut General Assembly. Your district number and legislators’ names can be found on the CGA’s website here.

Additionally, some voters will be asked to choose a probate judge — the person responsible for handling legal issues surrounding wills and estates.

On the Ballot: Other Issues

Early Voting Ballot Question

On Nov. 8, Connecticut voters will also decide whether to open the door to allowing in-person voting ahead of Election Day.

Currently, the Connecticut constitution does not permit in-person early voting. Connecticut is one of only four states that don’t allow it (the other three are Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire).

But in May 2021, the legislature took its first step to changing that by voting to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot this year.

Voters now have the chance to decide on the amendment. If approved, the Connecticut General Assembly can pass legislation allowing early in-person voting in our state.

Election Results

Cities and towns send their results to the Secretary of the State’s office to be certified within days of the election.

On election night, you can find unofficial results on CT Mirror’s website here.