With voter registration deadlines for the 2024 election rapidly approaching, forces both inside and outside the University of Connecticut are stressing the importance of education and participation for young voters, many of whom are casting their ballots for the very first time.
“Voter participation is the foundation of a healthy democracy that both represents and responds to all citizens,” said Tanya Rhodes Smith, director of UConn’s Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work.
Working alongside activists and scholars from throughout the nation, Smith serves as the co-chair for Voting is Social Work, a nonpartisan initiative founded in 2015 with the mission of educating and empowering citizens everywhere to exercise their right to vote.
“Healthy democracies foster healthy communities. Studies confirm a strong correlation between higher voter participation and important measures of public health and community outcomes” noted Smith. “It’s in all our best interest to ensure that every voter has the information and encouragement to vote in every election.”
Who can vote?
To cast a ballot in the upcoming presidential election, the state of Connecticut requires all voters to be at or above the age of 18 by Nov. 5 and to be a legal citizen of the United States residing, either temporarily or permanently, in the state. Citizens convicted of a felony may vote if they have completed the process of confinement, per the Office of the Secretary of the State.
For students unable to physically vote at a polling station in the town of their permanent residence, an absentee ballot may be requested until Nov. 4 via their respective town clerk’s office. Nonprofit organization Vote.org recommends individuals make their request at least one week before election day to ensure it is processed.
Students away from home may also choose to register in their town of current residence, which can be completed online at voterregistration.ct.gov until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 18. Ballots will reflect the races occurring within the specific district and township they are administered in.
Where and when to vote?
For students at UConn’s Storrs campus, Mansfield polling places are located at the UConn Bookstore and the Mansfield Town Hall. These locations will be open for early voting beginning on Oct. 21, with dates and times listed on the municipal government’s website. On Nov. 5, polls will open at 6 a.m. and close for the final time at 8 p.m.
Voter registration must be completed prior to filling out a ballot, with the option of same-day registration available only at the Mansfield Town Hall location. Any questions may be directed to the Mansfield Registrar of Voters at voterregistrars@mansfieldct.org.
Early Voting
This election marks the first year of early voting in the state of Connecticut, with legislation passed in May of 2023 requiring an open 14-day period before polls close on Nov. 5.
The deadline for online and mail-in voter registration is this Friday, Oct. 18. The option for same-day registration is still available at the discretion of voters, but only at specified locations.
What will be on the ballot?
Beyond the choices for state, local and national representatives, the first question Connecticut voters will be asked to answer regards a potential amendment to the state constitution.
Proposed by state senators Mae Flexer (D) of Mansfield’s home District 29 and Tony Hwang (R) of District 28, the Connecticut Ballot Question 2024 asks voters, “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”
The question of no-excuse absentee ballots, which was struck down by voters in its initial proposal in 2014, would allow any eligible voter to use an absentee ballot without external justification.
In an Oct. 15 press conference hosted by The Connecticut Project Action Fund, over ten mayors from around the state voiced their support for the proposed amendment and encouraged their constituents to check “yes” on their ballots.
“We want to make it possible for everybody to participate in our democracy because we believe in the basic principle that our democracy is stronger when everybody who is able to participate, participates,” said former Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D).
“This is Connecticut catching up,” continued Bronin. “Almost two thirds of states in the country already have this provision.”