Advocacy: CT & National - LWV Greenwich

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ON THE BALLOT ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022:

"SHALL THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE BE AMENDED TO PERMIT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE FOR EARLY VOTING?"

Connecticut is one of only 4 states not offering in-person Early Voting. The others are Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire. In-person Early Voting is NOT the same as Absentee Voting, for which a voter must explain why he/she cannot vote in person. VOTE YES OR NO. A "NO" vote means that In-Person Early Voting will not be permitted in Connecticut. Be sure to check the back side of the ballot to vote on this amendment.

LWV Greenwich supports a "YES" vote. Here's why:

IT PROVIDES MORE VOTING FLEXIBILITY and will mean that more citizens will vote. Turnout in off-year elections is very low, which means the result is not an accurate reflection of the public will. When turnout is poor, a voting minority has greater influence on an election outcome than they would have otherwise.

IT'S SAFE AND SECURE, with the same protections as given on Election Day.

IT HAS BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT, passing the State Legislature in May 2021 115-26 to give the choice to the voters on the 2022 ballot.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Take Action - Never miss an election again.

CT’s constitution restricts use of absentee ballots to excuses of religion, illness, military service or absence. As a temporary measure due to Covid, in 2020, one third of CT voters used absentee ballots. Voting by mail or Dropbox showed no concrete evidence of voter fraud. Enabling legislation can make permanent, “no excuse” absentee ballots. It is likely to be voted by the General Assembly in 2023. No excuse absentee ballots could then be decided by voters on a ballot referendum to change the state constitution in 2024.

REDISTRICTING

Take Action - Protect the power of your vote.

After the census at the start of a new decade, a bipartisan committee of state legislators reviews up-to-date population data to adjust boundary lines of US Congressional and CT legislative districts. The League is well positioned to monitor the process and ensure accountability to citizens for transparency and fairness. The latest round of redistricting was completed in 2021.

Why does it matter?: fairness and transparency in redistricting

If voters aren’t involved in redistricting... Legislators will choose their voters - Instead of voters choosing their legislators

What does fairness in redistricting mean?

It gives voters a fair chance of being represented when boundary lines are drawn to divide the population of a state into voting districts

What does transparency in redistricting mean?

Reapportionment Committee of decision-makers from legislature produces a robust public information website during the process
Public posting of data behind draft maps
Open meetings of the Reapportionment Committee
Accessible public hearings: virtual and in-person

Dave's Redistricing App -

click the link below to see various maps

Interactive mapping tool for voter education

See how changing criteria changes the power of your vote

National & State League Positions

As a member of both the state and national League organizations, LWV Greenwich participates through its conventions in the selection of issues that merit focus.

LWV Greenwich retains its ability to focus on one, a few, or all of these issues. However, LWV Greenwich and other local Leagues do not speak against positions approved by the majority when meeting collectively.

State League
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Issues

National League
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Voting Rights
Elections
Other Issues

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For more information, please e-mail advocacy@lwvgreenwich.org