Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill

In order to practice social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), public access to our building, 165 Capitol Avenue, will be restricted. Although in-person interactions will be limited, our office staff will be available via email as normal. For the Business Services Division email CRD@ct.gov and for the Legislative & Elections Administration Division email LEAD@ct.gov. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to return to normal business as soon as the immediate threat to public health has subsided.

 

Absentee Balloting

Am I eligible to apply for an absentee ballot?

You must meet one of the following requirements to apply and receive an absentee ballot:

    • Active service in the Armed Forces of the United States
    • Absence from the town during all of the hours of voting
    • An illness
    • Religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election, primary or referendum
    • Duties as a primary, election or referendum official at a polling place other than my own during all of the hours of voting
    • A physical disability

Who handles absentee balloting in my city/town?

The municipal clerk of your city/town you are registered to vote in.

Where do I need to return my absentee ballot application?

Your AB application is to be returned to the municipal clerk of the municipality in which you are a registered voter. Absentee

After I fill out the absentee ballot application, what are the ways I am able to return it?

If your municipal clerk has a fax machine, you may fax this application to the clerk, but must also mail this completed application with your original signature to the clerk, either separately or with your absentee ballot. If your application with your original signature is not received by the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum your absentee ballot will not be counted.

When are absentee ballots available?

Absentee ballots are to be provided by the municipal clerk beginning 31 days before an election, 21 days before a primary, or 19 days before a referendum, upon application properly made. Blank ballots may be sent out to certain military persons beginning 90 days before a regular election and to Connecticut electors temporarily residing outside the U.S. and all military persons being approximately 45 days before a regular election, approximately 30 days before a primary and as soon as a complete list of candidates and questions is available before a special election.

What are the penalties for false statements in absentee balloting?

False statement in absentee balloting is a class D felony. The sentence for a class D felony shall be at least one year but may not exceed five years in prison. A fine for the conviction of a class D felony shall not exceed five thousand dollars.

What is a false statement in regards to absentee balloting?

A person guilty of false statement in absentee balloting is when he intentionally makes a false written statement in or on or signs the name of another person to the application for an absentee ballot or the inner envelope accompanying any such ballot, which he does not believe to be true and which statement or signature is intended to mislead a public servant in the performance of his official function.