Voting in Connecticut

Voter Registration In Connecticut

Who Can Register In Connecticut

To register to vote in Connecticut, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a resident of Connecticut
- Be at least 17 years old and turning 18 by the election
- Not have been convicted of a felony, or have been convicted but have completed confinement and, if applicable, parole and having paid all fines in conjunction with the conviction (see more under "Voting Rights Restoration")

You must register to vote with your Registrar of Voters or a voter registration agency at least 7 days before the election you wish to vote in. You can also register on Election Day (see more under “Election Day Registration”).

Connecticut Election Day Registration

If you’re eligible to vote in Connecticut but have not yet registered, you can register and vote at a designated Election Day registration location in your town on Election Day.

Election Day Registration is not available at your polling place, but is available at a designated EDR location in each town, beginning at 6 am and ending at 8 pm. You will register and vote at the designated EDR location in your town.

Pre-registration

You can pre-register to vote in Connecticut if you are at least 17 and will turn 18 by the next election.

Voting Rights Restoration

Connecticut does remove voting rights for people with felony convictions. The right to vote is automatically restored if the voter has paid all fines and completed confinement and parole, unless they are convicted for a violation of Title 9 of Connecticut Election statutes, in which case their electoral privileges cannot be restored until they have been discharged from probation.

If you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote here.

Voting In Connecticut

Where To Vote In Connecticut

Search for your polling location.

Vote-by-mail & Absentee

COVID-19 UPDATE: All voters may use the excuse “COVID-19” to request an absentee ballot for Primary, Election, or Referendum held prior to November 3, 2021.

Voters can only vote absentee/by mail in Connecticut with an approved excuse. Approved excuses include:
- you are an active member of the armed forces of the United States
- you will be out of town during all the hours of voting on Election Day
- illness will prevent you from voting in person on Election Day
- your religious beliefs will prevent you from performing secular activities like voting on Election Day
- you will be performing duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours of voting on Election Day
- you have have a physical disability that prevents you from voting in person on Election Day

Early Voting In Connecticut

Connecticut does not offer early in-person voting. However, voters can return their absentee ballots in person at the Town Clerk’s office, or via the secure drop box that the Office of the Secretary of the State has provided to each town.

Primary Elections In Connecticut

Connecticut has closed primaries. Voters registered with a particular party may only vote in that party's primary. 17-year-olds can vote in the primary election if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

Voter ID In Connecticut

Voter ID Requirements

ID is required to vote in Connecticut. Valid forms of ID include:
- Social security card
- Any pre-printed form of identification that shows your name and address, or name and signature, or name and photograph

If you go to your polling place without one of the forms of ID as described above, you can vote a regular ballot by signing an affidavit in lieu of ID.

If you are a first time voter who registered by mail after January 1, 2003, and are voting for the first time in an primary/election with federal candidates on the ballot, and have a "mark" next to your name on the official registry list, you must present one of the following:
- A copy of a current and valid photo identification that shows your name and address
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address

If you are required to present the above ID at the polls and do not do so, you can vote a provisional ballot.

Additional Connecticut Resources

Your State Election Official

Connecticut Secretary of State
Denise W. Merrill
https://portal.ct.gov/en/SOTS
Phone number: 860.509.6200

Overseas & Military Voting

Voting As A Student

Voting For People With Disabilities

Learn more about voting in Connecticut if you have a disability.

Voting For People With Convictions

If you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote from Restore Your Vote.