Public comments press legislature to bar partisan absentee ballot circulators, expand drop‑boxes and mailings

A string of public commenters told the Government Administration and Elections Committee that Connecticut’s expansion of absentee voting should be accompanied by restrictions on how absentee‑ballot applications are circulated and stronger state control of distribution to reduce fraud and voter confusion.

“Campaigns and candidates are exploiting the circulator loophole,” said Jamim Davis of Bridgeport Generation Now, citing affidavits in prosecutions and asking lawmakers to change the law so only the state and town clerks may “mail, distribute, and circulate absentee ballot applications.”

Why it matters: Connecticut voters approved an amendment in 2024 to allow no‑excuse absentee voting. Several witnesses argued that broad, rapid access without new limits on third‑party circulation of applications risks abuse, while others — including town clerks and the Secretary of the State — recommended a state‑led public‑education campaign and careful implementation rather than an immediate ban.

What witnesses urged - Remove circulators: Multiple witnesses from Bridgeport and statewide advocacy groups asked the legislature to prohibit any private party or campaign from distributing absentee ballot applications and to require circulation only by the state or town clerks. Testimony cited instances in which operatives allegedly filled out or collected applications and ballots in senior housing, and said the practice “looks like ballot harvesting.” - State mailings and permanent absentee lists: Several witnesses and the Secretary of the State noted that a statewide ballot‑application mailing in 2020 allowed substantial voter‑list cleanup; proponents urged the state to use an official mailing program or a permanent absentee list so distribution is not left to…