Op-Ed: State Senator Will Haskell on Early Voting Legislation

"On Early Voting Legislation"

by Senator Will Haskell

As I stood outside the polls on Election Day, there was one question that kept coming up as
voters raced into the voting booth. On that rainy Tuesday in November, dozens of voters asked
why Connecticut restricts elections to a single day. Last week, the House of Representatives
considered a bill that would begin to fix this. Specifically, it would amend the state Constitution
to allow early voting, adding Connecticut to a list of 39 states that already provide their citizens
with greater opportunity to vote. The bill passed with an overwhelming 125-24 bipartisan vote.
With the bill now headed to the Senate, I want to publicly plead with all of my colleagues to
support a reform that will strengthen democracy for all. Let’s not retreat into the comfortable
confines of our caucus room, allowing politics to get in the way of common sense. Let’s pass this
bill.

House Joint Resolution No. 161, proposed by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, proposes an
amendment to the state Constitution that, if approved by voters by ballot question in 2020, would
create an early voting period of at least three days before Election Day. Earlier this year, I
sponsored similar legislation with the intent of making our elections more accessible.

You might not expect it, but Connecticut has some of the most outdated and restrictive voting
laws in the country. Connecticut is one of just 11 states currently not permitting early voting.
Nearly 80 percent of the country offers access to a ballot box the weekend before an election,
meaning at least 27 million people had the chance to vote early. Unfortunately, none of them
were in Connecticut. This makes it difficult for single parents, students, elderly voters and so
many more to make their voice heard on Election Day. Long lines, busy schedules, medical
ailments, childcare and a variety of other issues can make voting a hassle, causing people to stay
on the sidelines and miss out on their opportunity to make their voices heard.

It’s time to make our election process more equitable for everyone, fulfilling the fundamental
promise of our democracy. We’re not changing the state Constitution overnight; we’re putting
that power into the voters’ hands, giving them a chance to change Connecticut for the better and
expand ballot access for all. When more voters get involved, our democracy becomes stronger,
our public policy becomes more sound and our elected officials are held accountable.

Expanding access to the ballot has been proven to increase voting participation and improve
election security. That alone makes this initiative worthwhile. But it goes further than that. We
all have the right to vote. Now, it’s time to make sure that we all have an opportunity to vote.
Let’s allow citizens to cast their ballot in a manner that’s convenient. That’s why I’ll be fighting
for this legislation and hope to join Republicans and Democrats in supporting it on the Senate
Floor.

State Senator Will Haskell (D-26) represents parts of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.