The election this November 3 will be as important as any before it for students and teachers. Elections for federal and state positions will have wide-reaching impacts on everything from keeping our schools safe during the pandemic, to education funding, to involving educators in the decision making processes.
For the first time ever in Connecticut, due to COVID-19, voters can choose to vote by mail via an absentee ballot or in person in the upcoming Democratic and Republican primaries which are being held Tuesday, August 11.
If you are an active, registered voter with a major party affiliation, (Democrat or Republican), you should have received an absentee ballot application in the mail last week from the Secretary of the State’s office.
If you want to vote by mail using an absentee ballot and haven’t sent in your application already, here is what you need to do today:
- Fill out your absentee ballot application.
In Section II, any voter may check off the “COVID-19” option as a reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
Sign and date your application. - Mail your completed application.
Return your application in the enclosed addressed prepaid envelope. - Circle Tuesday, July 21 on your calendar.
Actual absentee voting ballots will be mailed out on this date.
Please keep in mind, the absentee ballot applications are applicable only for the August 11 primary. A decision on utilizing a vote-by-mail system for the general election has not been ordered.
If you did not receive an absentee ballot request for the primary, you can find a copy of the application here. Once completed, this form should be mailed to your municipal clerk.
Remember that Connecticut’s primaries are only open to registered Democrats and Republicans. If you are registered as unaffiliated or with a minor party and would like to change your party registration in order to be able to vote, you can do so online.
CEA will be providing additional information on the candidates and elections in your area as we get closer to the primary and general election.
In order to help CEA better advocate for your access to voting in August and November, please take this short survey.
Contact Gus Melita, CEA’s Political Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions about upcoming elections and candidates running in your area.
