Time is now for Conn. voting reforms

The time has come for Connecticut to implement voting reforms. In fact, it is long overdue. Connecticut currently has some of the most restrictive voting laws and is far behind much of the country. Only six other states require voters to vote in person unless they have an excuse, while 39 offer some form of early voting. 4 even use all mail-in ballots.

In our last election, 35 percent of voters voted absentee and all went smoothly. There was no voter fraud even with a 79.7 percent turnout, the highest ever. And people loved this choice.

According to a recent public opinion poll by nonpartisan Secure Democracy, 79 percent of respondents support early voting and 73 percent no-excuse absentee balloting. This was across all party lines and demographics. And it’s not surprising. In today’s world, voters do not want to be restricted to one day of voting, nor should they be. Options need to be provided that allow them to choose the method that works best for them.

But changing voting laws in Connecticut won’t be easy and will take time, as they require a constitutional amendment. This means a bill has to pass the House and Senate first and then go to voters as a ballot measure. For instance, the soonest we could get an early voting amendment on the ballot would be 2022 and even later for no-excuse absentee balloting, unless we have a three-quarters majority vote. But we can do this!

Please contact your state representative and senator and urge them to support voting reform measures NOW. With such overwhelming public support to expand access to voting in Connecticut, the time has come for action. Let’s ensure every voter can be part of the process without barriers. Voting should not be a hardship for our citizens. It should be an easy process that allows all of our voices to be heard.

Sherry Wernicke Riverside