This question will appear on the November ballot:
“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?”
Connecticut is among a handful of states that requires excuse-only absentee voting. Many argue this allows a substantial advantage to pols skilled in the abracadabra world of absentee-ballot manipulation. It levels the playing field for those playing by the rules, as well as allowing electors greater access to cast votes.
As it stands, Connecticut electors have one day to cast votes in lieu of recording an absentee ballot via an excuse. A yes vote would certainly mess with the chi of the city’s queen of absentee ballots, city councilor Lydia Martinez. Cynics counter she’ll just take advantage of a legal situation to stockpile votes. The difference is everyone will have that same opportunity to stockpile votes. The ones playing by the current rules are disadvantaged.
Speaking of Lydia, word is circulating among many pols that she’s eying a challenge of incumbent Town Clerk Alma Maya for the Democratic endorsement in July next year. That’s a classic OIB moment: the queen of absentee ballots seeking to oversee the city’s absentee ballot process. Another reason to vote yes to the ballot question.
What say you?
For Immediate Release
Mayor Finch was invited to address a major gathering of the American Indian Nation in Kent CT. He spoke about his plans for increasing every Native American’s standard of living. He referred to his time as a State Senator and how he had voted for every Native American issue that came to the floor. Although Finch was vague about his plans, he spoke eloquently about helping his “Red sisters and brothers.” At the conclusion of his speech, the Tribes presented him with a plaque inscribed with his new name, “Walking Eagle.” A proud Mayor Finch accepted the plaque and then departed for a fundraiser. A reporter later asked the group of Chiefs how they came to select the new name. They explained that “Walking Eagle” is the name given to a bird so full of shit it can no longer fly.
Jim, that was a great story and a great ending.
So Lennie,
Does “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,” allow for early voting in person?
If it does, I can buy into it and my very literal read says it does. If there is early voting in person then the voter would “vote without appearing in person at a polling place on the day of an election.”
If this change is to encourage greater participation in the process, then early voting should be embraced. If the change is to lessen the criminal culpability of absentee ballot abuse, then it should not.
Troll, the question if passed provides the legislature the authority to establish parameters for early voting. The change is to encourage greater participation in the process, but locally absentee ballot “pros” provide another dimension for the argument.
I gotta tell ya Len, your argument comes off as we can’t stop the queen from cheating so let’s let everybody cheat.
Everybody at OIB has to cheer Lydia’s aspirations. We need more slash and burn pols. She can get Americo as campaign manager.
Maybe you should try to get Chris Caruso to weigh in on this proposal. He was always into AB reform when he was co-chair of the committee that oversees ABs.
Like I’ve said many times, there have always been early voting opportunities in place. Get your butts up early (6 a.m.) and vote. The system that could be set up for this early voting idea will create even more problems and opportunity for fraud and voter deception.
I give up! No early voting! Do away with ABs altogether! Just saying.
And to read LM is contemplating a run for TC. Help us, oh Lord!
Both early and often … however here is a useful link detailing early voting nationwide
ballotpedia.org/Early_voting
Thanks for the useful link, Jennifer!
Please note, Oregon.
Using Lennie’s logic above, the more people voting by absentee ballot, the less the influence of the queen in controlling a vote.
Why don’t you, like Oregon, abolish voting in precincts altogether and have everybody vote by mail-in ballot?
Thanks Jim, I am greatly in favor of mail-in voting.
Jim,
One problem with your suggestion is here is a significant number of voters who either enjoy the social event of going to vote, especially among the seniors. Also there are many who want to place the ballot in the box themselves, not trusting others.
Would you want to disenfranchise a segment of today’s voting public in the name of progress?
And if you have lived in B’port your whole life, can you really blame them?
One of the challenges being brought to the WISCONSIN absentee law is the requirement the voter MUST include a copy of their photo ID. I believe asking a senior to go out and make a copy of their driver’s license is a bit overly burdensome.
Really Bob, drive by the senior housing complexes at night and see how full the parking lots are. Then around 10 AM drive by these same lots and see how empty they are.