LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ®

of CONNECTICUT

1890 Dixwell Avenue, Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514

Tel. 203-288-7996    E-mail - LWVCT@lwvct.org

The League is a nonpartisan organization which does not support or oppose political parties or candidates.

Take Action in Support of Bills to Update Election Laws and Ease Process for Military Voting 4/30/10

***************** Via Fax and Post ******************

**********URGENT**********

SESSION ENDS MAY 5

PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATOR AND ASK HIM/HER TO

PRESS FOR A VOTE IN THE SENATE ON

HB 5441 AAC Certain Revisions to Elections Related Statutes and Concerning Participation by the Staff and Members of the Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board in Political Campaigns

HB 5442  AAC Absentee Voting by Members of the Military and Citizens Living Abroad

Last year, we were disappointed when concerns over the budget derailed important election law related bills.  We have a chance to pass reforms to our election statutes this year, but we must act quickly.

            The League supports HB 5441.  This bill makes changes affecting voter registry lists, the conduct of primaries and elections, election officials, voting equipment, and post-election procedures.  Some of these changes are technical; many are designed to make our elections run more smoothly and to protect the rights of voters. 

The League also strongly supports HB 5442.  Can you believe that according to a Pew study members of the military serving overseas do not have enough time to vote using Connecticut’s current absentee ballot process?  HB 5442, which changes state election law to comply with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act, fixes that problem by allowing (1) applications for absentee ballots to be issued and submitted by electronic means and (2) military and overseas absentee ballots to be issued by electronic means.  The applicant or voter determines whether the application or ballot is delivered electronically or by another permitted method.

The House passed HB 5441 and HB 5442 unanimously.  Now it is time for the Senate to act!  With only 6 days remaining in the session, your senator needs to hear from you.  Please contact your senator TODAY and tell him or her to press for a vote on HB 5441 and HB 5442 by the full Senate.  Please ask your senator to talk with the Senate leadership about the crucial importance of passing these bills before the session ends on May 5.

Main Switchboard:

Senate Democrats                    (800) 842-1420 or (860) 240-8600

Senate Republicans                   (800) 842-1421 or (860) 240-8800

You can find your senator’s e-mail by going to: http://www.cga.ct.gov

Please contact your senator TODAY.  Thank you.  Together we can make a difference!

Christine S. Horrigan, LWVCT Government Director