Connecticut Residents Embrace Early Voting Option Ahead of Presidential Primary
STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut residents are taking advantage of the opportunity to cast their ballots early, in person, for the first time in the state’s history. As the final day of early voting approaches before Tuesday’s presidential primary, turnout has been light but steady.
After the first three days of early voting, 13,476 voters out of over 1.2 million registered Democrats and Republicans have already cast their ballots in person. While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured their parties’ nominations, state officials are pleased with the response to the new system.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas expressed her satisfaction with the voter turnout, stating, “We asked voters to help us test the system and make their voices heard, and voters of Connecticut answered the call.”
Connecticut now joins the majority of states in offering early, in-person voting, with only four states still not allowing this option. Advocates for early voting have been pushing for this change for years, and finally, in 2022, voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow it.
While some residents have welcomed the convenience of early voting, others remain skeptical. JoLynn Brochu, a Republican voter, expressed concerns about the potential for cheating with early voting but acknowledged the importance of Republicans utilizing this option.
As Connecticut residents continue to adapt to the new voting system, the state looks forward to implementing early voting for the general election with 14 days of early voting available. The introduction of early voting in Connecticut marks a significant step towards modernizing the state’s election process.