Best Practices for Vote By Mail in Connecticut

CONNECTICUT: VOTE BY MAIL FOR SECURE ELECTIONS IN 2020

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR CONNECTICUT ELECTIONS OFFICIALS

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE 

Sightline’s state-by-state guides are designed to give local election officials and legislators the information they need to identify and take the most important steps to get ready for November. Each set of state-specific resources includes best practices and established models from around the country, including practical nuts and bolts advice for clerks, materials from election administrators with experience conducting all mail elections, and information about vendors and costs.

How Connecticut is prepared for Vote By Mail

• Is a member of the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).
• Uses voters’ signatures to verify ballots.
• Automatically registers voters and updates their address.

For Local Election Officials

• Coordinate with USPS.
• Design ballots and envelopes that are easy to use.
• Implement robust signature verification.
• Provide secure drop boxes.
• Provide Election Day vote centers for in-person voting.
• Consider using a professional printer and ballot sorter.
• Count ballots at a secure centralized facility.
• Include a postage-prepaid return envelope.

For Connecticut’s Secretary of State

• Use a comprehensive system to track ballots.
• Mail absentee application forms to all registered voters.
• Give voters sufficient opportunity to cure signature problems.

For Lawmakers

• Allow any voter to request an absentee ballot.
• Account for voters with nontraditional addresses.
• Give voters a “single sign-up” option.
• Allow counties to start processing envelopes early.
• Allow counties to accept ballots postmarked on Election Day.
• Allow voters to request an absentee ballot online.
• Allow voters to request replacement ballots online.
• Allow early in-person voting options.
• Allow community organizations to collect and deliver sealed ballots.

Connecticut’s Grade for Vote By Mail preparedness = D-