Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today is reminding all eligible Connecticut voters (any U.S. citizen residing in the state age 18 or older) not yet registered to vote that Election Day Registration will be available for the general election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. Any eligible voter in Connecticut who wishes to cast a ballot but has not yet registered to vote is permitted to go to the Chase Municipal Building, 236 Grand Street, 2nd floor, present the proper identifying documents, register to vote, and cast a ballot.
Connecticut became the 11th state to enact Election Day voter registration in 2012 when Governor Malloy signed into law Public Act 12-56 which was given final passage by the Connecticut General Assembly on May 5, 2012.
Under Connecticut election law, Election Day Registration permits anyone to register and vote in person on Election Day if he or she meets the eligibility requirements for voting in this state and is either: (1) not already a registered voter or (2) is registered in one municipality but wants to change his or her registration because he or she currently resides in another municipality. By law, a person is eligible to register and vote if he or she is (1) a U. S. citizen, (2) age 18 or older, and (3) a bona fide resident of the municipality in which he or she applies to register to vote. Those wishing to register and vote on Election Day must appear in person at the designated location at town or city hall and declare under oath that they have not previously voted in the election. They must complete the application for voter registration and provide documents to prove their identity and residence.
Once the new voter is properly registered, the Registrars of Voters must provide a special Election Day Registration (EDR) ballot and envelope to the voter and record its issuance to that particular voter. The voter must (1) declare under oath that he or she did not previously vote in the election and (2) sign an affirmation that is printed on the back of the security envelope. The new voter must secretly mark the ballot in the presence of the registrars or their designees, place it in the EDR envelope, and deposit the envelope in a secured EDR ballot box.
Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday November 4, 2014 for the general election all Connecticut cities and towns. Secretary Merrill encourages voters to go online at www.sots.ct.gov/vote to find out more information about Election Day Registration, and view sample ballots from their city or town.