At the Nov. 4 elections, there will be a ballot question asking whether there should be an amendment to the CT State Constitution that removes restrictions concerning absentee ballots and to permit a person to vote without appearing at a polling place on the day of an election. It will read: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to remove restrictions concerning absentee ballots and to permit a person to vote without appearing at a polling place on the day of an election?”
According to the CT General Assembly’s legislative research office, “if this constitutional amendment passes, it would give the General Assembly greater authority to pass a law allowing voters to cast their ballots without having to (1) appear at their polling place on election day or (2) provide a reason for voting by absentee ballot.
“If the amendment passes, it would also eliminate the constitutional deadlines by which election moderators must submit their election returns to their town clerks and the secretary of the state (i.e., within 3 and 10 days after an election, respectively). The Connecticut General Statutes set earlier deadlines by which they must submit these returns (e.g., midnight on election day to the secretary of the state).
“The state constitution contains provisions regarding the administration of elections in Connecticut, including requiring voters to cast their ballots at their polling place on election day, unless they qualify to vote by absentee ballot. Under the constitution, voters may qualify for an absentee ballot if they will be out of town, are sick or have a physical disability, or the tenets of their religion prohibit secular activity on election day. Because these restrictions are in the constitution, the General Assembly does not currently have the authority to pass a law that changes them. The constitutional amendment would eliminate these restrictions.
GOOD Morning Wilton asked the chairs of the political town committees–Democrats (WDTC) and Republicans (WRTC) to submit op-eds on the constitutional amendment. They appear below (in the order in which they arrived by the deadline we set).
Vote NO, Protect Your Vote
by Al Alper, chair of the Wilton Republican Town Committee
In addition to voting on who will lead our State and who will go to Congress, there is another vote on the ballot this Nov. 4. But it’s not another candidate running for office.
On the ballot Democrats have added a question that would amend our Constitution and effectively do away with any pretense of a legitimate vote that would withstand scrutiny.
The question: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to remove restrictions concerning absentee ballots and to permit a person to vote without appearing at a polling place on the day of an election?”
Seemingly well intentioned and innocuous on its face, the Democrats have asked you, the voters to amend our Constitution and effectively remove any constraints or requirements to identify who you are and that you are a citizen.
Without requiring a voter to appear and vote, anyone – ANYONE – could simply get an absentee ballot form, fill it out and mail it in.
Illegal aliens, felons, or really anyone from anywhere in the world would be able to vote, citizen or not.
I know that Democrats are saying that they would pass laws to prevent this, but don’t forget that they also said, “If you like your health care you can keep your health care,” or, “It was a spontaneous reaction to a video” that killed our ambassador, or that there was, “not even a smidgen of corruption” in the IRS targeting of American citizens.
And let’s not forget that oldie but goodie: “If you like your Doctor you can keep your Doctor!”
Democrats run this state. They have done so for decades. Even when we had a Republican Governor, they have held super majorities in both houses exacting their liberal policy by way of threatening to override any veto. With the ascension of Democrat Dan Malloy as Governor they quite literally are a monopoly, a dictatorship that has spiraled our state to the bottom of every list – the economy, jobs, education, cost of living, ability to sell your home, ability to retire , and the list goes on.
On all fronts our citizens are under assault – no jobs, as business moves to more friendly states; high taxes driving the price of goods, like bread and milk, through the roof; houses won’t sell; families can’t escape the death tax that steals some 50-percent of the money their loved ones earned and saved so that they could have a better life or a head start; gas prices that force families to choose between eating or going to work; etc., etc., etc.. This list of decay is never ending.
All of this has left voters realizing that maybe, just maybe it’s time to “throw the bums out,” to borrow a phrase and retire the liberal Democrat policy makers for good.
Most people would think that, having seen the despair wrought by their policies, that Democrats would have learned their lesson and changed their ways. But NO. Instead, Democrats are digging in and digging a deeper hole.
They believe that changing our Constitution and eliminating the need to show up to vote would mean more votes for them. Votes that would save their bacon in the next election and beyond.
In November, vote NO on the Constitutional Question and protect YOUR vote.
Vote YES to Expand Voting Options
by Thomas Dec, chair of the Wilton Democratic Town Committee
On Nov. 4, you will have the option to support an expansion of voting rights for the people of Connecticut by voting “YES” on the constitutional amendment question on the ballot. The proposed amendment will eliminate language in our state constitution that requires Election Day to be the exclusive day on which voters can cast ballots. If approved, Connecticut will be permitted to enact “no-excuse” absentee or early voting programs similar to those currently available in 33 other states and the District of Columbia.
We strongly urge a “YES” vote.
The experience of other states shows that “no-excuse” absentee voting and early voting will make the voting process more convenient for everyone. Busy parents, voters with long or unpredictable work hours, and commuters are among the groups who can benefit through greater flexibility in voting. I like to think of the amendment as bringing “voting on demand” to Connecticut. You will have greater flexibility to vote when it is most suitable for you, as opposed being subject to an outdated model where we must vote during an arbitrary day and time frame.
A “YES” vote will expand access to what may be considered one of the most cherished rights of being an American citizen. It is not only about convenience, but about supporting our nation’s founding principles and truly making the United States a more perfect union. The United States has grown from a nation where only white male property owners could cast a ballot to one where all citizens over the age of 18, regardless of race or gender, can cast a ballot. Americans have fought and died, in the United States and abroad, in order to expand and protect this fundamental right.
Despite the enormous progress we have made over the course of our nation’s history, we still have room for improvement. Analysis of voter turnout data shows that for one reason or another, young, minority, and lower income voters turn out at lower rates in comparison to older, white and higher income voters. Connecticut, which is cited as among the most disparate in the nation, is not immune to this trend, and unnecessarily restrictive voting regulations are one component making it harder for everyone to exercise their right to vote.
It is disappointing that this ballot question has become a partisan issue here in Connecticut, with Democrats supporting the measure and Republicans opposing it. Wilton’s Republican state legislators joined their Republican colleagues in voting to block the amendment — twice. Many Republicans, fearing that greater numbers of potentially Democratic-leaning voters will exercise their right to vote, hide behind a tired argument that an expansion of voting rights will lead to increased instances of voter fraud. This same unfounded argument was waged in Texas, California, Massachusetts and Florida, and many of the other 33 states that have expanded voting options successfully.
This is an issue that should and does transcend party lines. It is being supported by a broad coalition, including the League of Women Voters of Connecticut and the League of Women Voters of Wilton. It is a measure that will bring convenience and flexibility to the voting process that is consistent with modern expectations. Most importantly, it will strengthen our democracy and move us one step closer to the state and nation we all strive to achieve. Please vote “YES” on Nov. 4.
It is surprising that the Republican reply is focused on bashing healthcare and so little is said about expanding the opportunity to vote. Millions signed up for affordable healthcare coverage when the Republican Party predicted that few would enroll. The Republicans claim universal health care is too expensive. Who will pay for Ebola casualty Thomas Duncan’s $500,000 medical cost? He was uninsured.
The Republicans say they are protecting our voting rights by passing restrictive voting laws. As the New York Times points out in its October 13th editorial, “There is virtually no in-person voter fraud; the purpose of these laws is to suppress voting.” The Republican comments in Good Morning Wilton provide little useful information about the constitutional amendment or the need to provide appropriate voting opportunities to a dynamic electorate.
If you want to understand the issue, all you need to do is read Tom Dec’s (a graduate of Wilton High School) comments.