First Day Of Early Voting Draws Steady Stream In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Early voting was off to a rousing start in Vernon Monday.

Monday kicked off a 14-day early voting period that runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Among the first in line was one of Connecticut's longest-tenured incumbents, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. Courtney was home in Vernon and took advantage of being one of the first seven residents to vote.

And it was a steady stream all day.

In all, 514 residents voted on Day 1. Two others took advantage of same-day registration foir a grand total of 516.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas touted early voting and the three three options for casting ballots: in-person early voting, absentee ballots or voting at polling place on Election Day.

Early voting is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days, with extended hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 29.

Early voting locations are designated by municipality and may differ from Election Day polling places. Most Connecticut towns and cities have one early voting location and in Vernon, that is Center 375 at 375 Hartford Turnpike.

Voters must cast their ballots in the municipality where they are registered.

Election officials track early voting to prevent people from voting more than once, including by submitting an absentee ballot or voting in person on Election Day after casting an early ballot.

Absentee ballots became available Oct. 2. The deadline to request one is Nov. 2. Connecticut no longer requires voters to provide a reason to vote by absentee ballot.

Registered voters can apply online through the Connecticut Secretary of the State's website or submit a paper application to their town clerk. Completed ballots may be returned by mail, placed in an official secure drop box or delivered to the town clerk's office.

On Election Day, Nov. 3, polling places statewide will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can look up their polling locations through the state's voter registration lookup.

The deadline to register to vote in advance of the election was Oct. 16. Residents who missed that deadline can use same-day voter registration at a designated location in each municipality on Election Day.

Voters can find their municipality's early voting location and additional election information through the Connecticut Secretary of the State's Office