The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Voting during a pandemic is safe and secure
Connecticut has a robust system in place to guard against voter fraud. One person gets one vote, whether you vote absentee or in person.
In less than two weeks, voters will go the polls. The election is occurring in the middle of a pandemic and we believe Connecticut local governments are prepared to help you cast your vote safely and efficiently. Town clerks and registrars of voters have been working with state officials to make voting in person as safe as going to the grocery store. Most importantly, your vote will count.
Early voting has been taking place in various states across the country and voters seeing reports of long lines in other states should understand that two factors make those scenes unlikely in Connecticut. First, a large number of people have decided to vote this year by mail. The need to protect yourself from COVID-19 is an allowed circumstance to request an absentee ballot under state law.
In normal election years about 5 percent of Connecticut voters vote absentee. This year, we are predicting as many as 35 to 40 percent will do so. That is a huge number, which will change the speed with which votes are counted.
There is still time to vote by absentee ballot, but remember it is a two-part process. You first must apply for an absentee ballot and then fill out your ballot and send it back in once you receive it in the mail. You can mail your ballot back or you can drop it in a secure absentee lock box at your local town hall. Absentee ballots will be counted if they are received by the town clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Ensure that your ballot is counted by inserting your ballot into the inner envelope, signing and dating the inner envelope and inserting the inner envelope into the outer envelope.
In other states, there has been an effort to reduce the number of polling places. We have not done that in Connecticut. Voters will find that the same number of polling places, mostly in the same locations, will be open in each town. You can contact your local registrar by phone before Election Day to confirm your polling place.
Regarding virus protection, steps have been taken to provide protective equipment to all poll workers. Masks will also be available for use by voters if you forget yours, but please try to remember to mask up. Take all the precautions you need to take when going out in public to protect yourself and your family. Social distancing requirements will be in place for check-in lines and for voting. You may remember that, as a rule, voting booths inside polling stations are spaced apart from each other for privacy. This year, they will be a bit further apart.
Connecticut has a robust system in place to guard against voter fraud. One person gets one vote, whether you vote absentee or in person. Because so many people are voting by mail this year, it may take longer than usual to know the results, but the counting process will be secure and fair. We will be doing our part to guarantee that everyone’s voice is heard.
Many people have observed that this will be a historic election because of the issues involved, but from our perspective as election officials, it is historic primarily because of the challenges we face caused by the pandemic. The good news is we have had time to prepare. Recognizing the need to conduct the election with safety, efficiency and with the integrity of the vote in mind, we believe Connecticut voters will see the results of a well-developed plan to ensure that everyone’s vote is counted and that no one’s health is put at risk by exercising the right to vote. Sue Larsen is president of the Registrar of Voters Association of Connecticut and the Democratic Registrar of Voters for the town of South Windsor. Anna Posniak is president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association of Connecticut and the Windsor Town Clerk.