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Friday, November 8, 2024

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CT voters pass no-excuse absentee voting amendment; Biden urges Americans to 'bring down the temperature' after Trump's US election win; As FSA loan changes aim to support farmers, advocates say more needed; As leaves fall in AZ, calls renewed to incentivize electric lawn equipment.

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President Biden asks Americans to turn down the temperature, House Speaker Mike Johnson promises an aggressive first 100 day agenda and Democratic governors vow to push back on Trump's plan for mass deportations.

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Texas women travel some of the longest distances for abortion care, Californians the shortest, rural living comes with mixed blessings for veterans, an ancient technique could curtail climate-change wildfires, and escape divisive politics on World Kindness Day.

CT voters pass no-excuse absentee voting amendment

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Friday, November 8, 2024   

Connecticut voters approved an amendment enshrining no-excuse absentee voting in the state's constitution.

Passing by a little more than 57% of the vote, the amendment opens up voting access to broaden ballot access. It comes a year after voters approved an amendment allowing for early voting.

Cheri Quickmire, executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut, said it will make it easier for everyone in the state to vote.

"People have challenges in their lives from caretaking to child care to work that limit their ability to get to the polls," Quickmire pointed out. "They are ready for having another opportunity to submit an absentee ballot."

Though the amendment received mostly positive feedback from residents, some people were skeptical about its necessity given the state's existing early voting plan but the amendment will help people who cannot get to the polls during early voting to cast a ballot. The General Assembly will develop a rollout plan for no-excuse absentee voting in the next legislative session.

Some groups have ideas about implementing no-excuse absentee voting.

David McGuire, chairperson of the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC, wants to see a permanent absentee voting roll developed so people can automatically receive an absentee ballot every year. He admitted it would prompt plenty of challenges.

"There'll likely be conversations about logistics and resources but we come at this from the perspective that you really cannot put a price on democracy," McGuire explained. "We need to make sure that no-excuse absentee voting is a process that works well for people."

Beyond early and no-excuse absentee voting, McGuire argued enfranchising incarcerated people by giving them the right to vote would also help.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.


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