Submitted by Office of State Sen. Norm Needleman
(May 23, 2026) — Governor Lamont has signed legislation ( Public Act 26-42) removes into law that will allow all Connecticut voters the option to cast their ballots in elections and primaries by absentee ballot. This is the result of Connecticut voters’ will, as they voted to expand absentee ballot access in the 2024 election. Previously, residents could vote absentee only if they were out of town due to military service, or were out of town on Election Day, or because of illness, physical disability, religious conflict, or service as an elections worker. Under the new law, voters must fill out an absentee ballot request application and provide it to their Town Clerk or online through the Secretary of the State’s website.
Additionally, the new law increases penalties for harassing election workers and makes tampering with an absentee ballot drop box a Class D felony; it further restricts law enforcement officials from being within 250 feet of a polling place or election site without permission from state election officials or court order.
