Connecticut Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-In Deadlines

• Voter registration: postmarked by October 21, 2008 (by mail); October 28, 2008 (in person).
• Absentee ballot application: no specific deadline. We recommend requesting your ballot by October 21, 2008.
• Absentee ballot due: received by 8pm Election Day.

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Connecticut you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of Connecticut and of the town in which you wish to vote
• be 18 years old on or before Election Day
• have completed confinement and parole if previously convicted of a felony, and have had your voting rights restored by the Registrar of Voters. (NOTE: if you were incarcerated in a federal prison or the system of another state, all your fines must have been paid as well as the release from any confinement and parole.)
• not currently be declared mentally incompetent to vote by a court of law

How to register to vote:

• Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  
• You can also download Connecticut's voter registration form.  Complete and sign the form, and mail it to your Town Registrar of Voters. 

ID requirements for first-time voters:

If you are registering for the first time in a Connecticut town, and you register by mail, then you must submit proof of your identity at the time of registration.  The easiest way to meet the ID requirement is to write your Connecticut driver's license number or your Connecticut ID card number on your voter registration form.  If you don't have either of these numbers, you can include a copy of one of the following forms of ID: A current and valid photo ID that shows your name OR A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and Connecticut Address.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can verify your voter registration here.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

• You will be absent from town during all the hours of voting
• You are ill
• You have a physical disability which makes it difficult for you to get to the polls
• Your religion forbids you from participating in non-religious activities on Election Day
• Your required performance of duties as a primary, referendum, or election official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours on Election Day

How to apply for an absentee ballot:

Download and complete the Connecticut application for absentee ballot.   Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to your Town Clerk.  You can also fax your application to your clerk.  Your clerk will process a faxed application and mail you an absentee ballot, but your ballot will not be counted unless you mail your original application (with your signature) to your clerk before the close of polls on election day.  You can mail your application with your absentee ballot if you'd like. 

Town Clerks start mailing absentee ballots 31 days before an election, 21 days before a primary, or 19 days before a referendum/special election. 

Emergency absentee ballots:

If you planned on voting in person, but find yourself ill or hospitalized within six days of an election or referendum, you can apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot.  Mail the completed application to your Town Clerk.  You can ask for your ballot to be mailed to you, or you can designate a representative to pick it up.

Absentee ballot instructions:

Your town clerk will process your application and mail you an absentee ballot and a return envelope.  Fill out your ballot, sign where indicated, and mail your completed ballot to your Town Clerk.

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to provide ID with your absentee ballot if you've already voted in Connecticut at least once.  If you are a first-time Connecticut voter you must submit a copy of your ID with your absentee ballot.  Put the copy of your ID in the outer envelope.  If you put the copy of your ID in the same envelope as your ballot or your ballot will be rejected. The following forms of ID are acceptable: a copy of a current and valid photo identification that shows your name OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and Connecticut address.

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