There are less than 50 days until the election, and this year, your vote is on the ballot. In November, voters will choose whether or not to amend the state constitution to expand the parameters for absentee voting. Nonpartisan voting rights groups statewide have banded together to form a coalition to encourage voters to support the expansion of absentee voting by voting “yes” on the ballot referendum. The ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC is one of the leaders of this initiative.
On November 5th, the people of Connecticut will see the following language on their ballots: Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?
ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC and community partners such as the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, SafeVote, the NAACP Windham/Willimantic, Full Citizen’s Coalition, and the Connecticut Project Action Fund are urging voters to “Vote Yes!” on the ballot referendum through a serious of press conference, public rallies, canvassing, and voter education events.
“This was a true statewide effort in a place that can often feel provincial,” ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC chairperson David McGuire said. “We want to be crystal clear: Connecticut voters should pass the ballot referendum on November 5th and vote ‘Yes’ on No-Excuse Absentee Voting. This is a matter of racial justice, as it ensures that everyone, including marginalized communities have equal access to voting. We’re confident that making voters aware of this ballot referendum and explaining why and how this gives people more rights and more of a voice in their government will encourage passage. There’s an enthusiasm and a demand for voting rights nationwide that’s particularly salient in Connecticut. We wanted to capture that energy across the state today.”
The ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC is a non-partisan political action committee focused solely during this election cycle on the expansion of voting access in the state, specifically by passage of the No-Excuse Absentee Voting ballot measure. In the few weeks left until the election, the organization has a slate of events and an increased public footprint in an effort to educate voters about the referendum.
“Your vote is on the ballot, and every Connecticut voter deserves to know,” said McGuire. “More than half the states in this great country have no-excuse absentee voting rights. Connecticut is behind the curve where it should be a natural leader. No matter who you are, you deserve to have as much access to voting as your fellow Americans.”
Last year, more than 320 bills were introduced in legislatures across the country to restrict voting access. The people of Connecticut have the power this election cycle to further expand their voting access for eligible voters in the state. A person shouldn’t have to produce a “need” to request an absentee ballot.
When voting access is restricted, Black and Brown people are more likely to see their voices silenced at the polls and have less say in their democracy and community. When absentee voting is restricted, there is also a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities, caregivers, and people with multiple jobs. Restrictions on voting access means restricting the civil rights and liberties of the very people who should be encouraged to participate in democracy.
“We know for a fact that the most disenfranchised voters in both Connecticut in the country are Black and Brown voters,” said McGuire. “So expanding access and ways for folks to vote, particularly folks that are working multiple jobs or have odd hours is really what we’re identifying.”
The ACLU of CT Rise PAC does not endorse or work with candidates in this electoral cycle. Similar to civic organizations such as the League of Women Voters, the CT League of Conservation Voters, and the NAACP Windham/Willimantic, Rise PAC is firm in its civic aim. “We aren’t playing the partisan game,” said McGuire. “We have one goal: Pass the ballot referendum in November. It’s going to take all of us to rise to the occasion.”
Research shows that expanded absentee voting is popular among all voters, and does not have a statistically significant partisan impact on elections. But systemic disenfranchisement creates a cycle of negative impact on voter turnout and civic engagement.
“36 states and Washington D.C. already have expanded absentee voting,” said McGuire, “You deserve full access to your vote, and the people of Connecticut can catch up to the rest of the nation by voting yes.”
For more information, visit https://www.acluct.org/en/togetherwerise.
