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Nov 3
Connecticut General Election

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

Connecticut offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Connecticut by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your Registrar of Voters. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

Connecticut allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Connecticut offers early voting.

19 days to Election Day!


Register to Vote

Check that you're registered to vote on Connecticut's website.
If you’re not registered:

  • Tomorrow is the last day to register online!
  • Tomorrow is the last day for your by mail registration form to be postmarked! If you haven’t already mailed your form, you can register in person until Nov 3.

What key changes should voters know about?

  • Beginning May 15, you can vote an absentee ballot without an excuse as long as you are an active, registered voter and submit an absentee ballot application.
  • Beginning July 1, if you are 17 years old and will be 18 by Election Day, you can vote early or by absentee ballot.
This is due to a new law in Connecticut. Visit the Connecticut Secretary of State website or contact your Town Clerk to learn more.

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You can check the status of your ballot on Connecticut’s website.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Contact the Connecticut Secretary of State to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your Town Clerk to learn about opportunities in your area.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Connecticut's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about voting early in Connecticut.
  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Connecticut’s site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

You may be asked to show ID to vote in Connecticut.

Acceptable forms include:
  • Social Security card
  • any pre-printed form of ID that shows your name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph

If you registered by mail, are a first-time voter in a federal election, and have a “mark” next to your name on the official registry list, you’ll also need to show proof of residence

Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid photo ID that shows your name and address
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to sign an affidavit instead and then vote normally. If you're a first-time voter without ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

Can I register to vote online?

  • Connecticut offers online voter registration.
  • To use the online voter registration system you must have a current and valid driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver photo identification card issued by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and a signature on file with the DMV.

Can I vote early?

Yes, Connecticut offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

When can I vote early?

Where can I vote early?

  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Connecticut's site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

You may be asked to show ID to vote in Connecticut.

Acceptable forms include:
  • Social Security card
  • any pre-printed form of ID that shows your name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph

If you registered by mail, are a first-time voter in a federal election, and have a “mark” next to your name on the official registry list, you’ll also need to show proof of residence

Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid photo ID that shows your name and address
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to sign an affidavit instead and then vote normally. If you're a first-time voter without ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Connecticut voter registration form.

Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.

To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:


Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Connecticut, you must provide your Connecticut driver's license number, if you have one. If you do not have a Connecticut driver's license, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are required to register with a party to participate in Connecticut partisan primaries. You should register with the party whose primary you would like to vote in.

Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: You may leave this blank if you prefer. This information is not required.


If you are registering to vote for the first time in your municipality and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the Connecticut Secretary of State website.
  • You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
  • Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your Registrar of Voters.

If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

How do I vote by mail?

In Connecticut, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Request your absentee ballot online by Nov 2.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your Town Clerk.

How do I return my ballot?

  • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
  • You can return your ballot by mail or in person. If you return your ballot in person, it must be received by the day before the election.
  • You can also return your ballot to a ballot dropbox. If you return your ballot to a dropbox, it must be received by close of polls on Election Day. Find a ballot drop off location near you.
  • If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your registration record with your new address.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

This election does offer registration on Election Day at designated locations. Contact your local election office to find out more.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

  • You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your Registrar of Voters for information on when and where to register to vote.
  • Election-day registration is not available at your polling place, but is available at a designated location in each town, beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. (You can register and vote at the designated location for your town.) Please plan to arrive early in the day as there may be long lines. You must be in line by 8 p.m. in order to register and vote. You will need to provide proof of identity and residency.
  • Learn more by visiting the Connecticut Secretary of State website or contacting your Registrar of Voters.

What are key deadlines for this election?

Registration deadlines

Absentee ballot deadlines

Voting deadlines

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

You may be asked to show ID to vote in Connecticut.

Acceptable forms include:
  • Social Security card
  • any pre-printed form of ID that shows your name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph

If you registered by mail, are a first-time voter in a federal election, and have a “mark” next to your name on the official registry list, you’ll also need to show proof of residence

Acceptable forms include:
  • current and valid photo ID that shows your name and address
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to sign an affidavit instead and then vote normally. If you're a first-time voter without ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

How do I see what's on my ballot?

View official ballot information on the Connecticut Secretary of State website, if available.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.

Who can register to vote?

To register in Connecticut you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • be a resident of Connecticut and of the town in which you wish to vote
  • be at least 17 years old and be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day (17 year-olds who will turn 18 on or before Election Day may participate in the general primary)
  • have completed confinement if previously convicted of a felony, and have had your voting rights restored by Registrars of Voters

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your Town Clerk for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your Town Clerk may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your Town Clerk.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your Town Clerk.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your Town Clerk first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your Town Clerk.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Connecticut. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Connecticut's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my state election office?

Which election office should I contact?

  • In Connecticut, the Registrar of Voters and Town Clerk run voter registration and elections in your area. The Registrar of Voters can help you with questions about registering to vote, and the Town Clerk can help you with questions about voting, including voting by mail.
  • The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Connecticut. They can help you with questions about voting or election security in your state.
  • If you have issues at the polls or concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately to the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find the contact information for the Registrar of Voters or the Town Clerk.