Vote for Jay Case by Absentee Ballot
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how we conduct business, educate our children, and go about our daily lives. It has also changed our election process. In July, the legislature passed a bill, now law, making all residents eligible to vote by absentee ballot (AB) in the November general election citing COVID-19 as their reason. All you need to do is check the appropriate box on the application. We passed this legislation because it is important that all residents have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in a way that is safe and secure during this public health crisis.
Here's how the process works:
STEP ONE:
In September, the Secretary of the State's (SOTS) office mailed absentee ballot applications to all registered voters. You may also access the application online through the SOTS's website.
STEP TWO:
Complete your application and return it by mail via the United States Postal Service (USPS) or place it in a designated ballot drop box in your community.
STEP THREE:
Once applications have been received, official absentee ballots will be mailed to you beginning October 2, 2020. Complete and return your absentee ballot in the same manner as your absentee ballot application (USPS or Official Ballot Drop Box). Only immediate family members and health care providers may assist an individual with their ballot.
PLEASE NOTE:
All ballots must be received by the close of polls, 8:00pm on Election Day.
When the Town Clerk receives the ballot, they check that the serial number and barcode match the voter who returned the ballot, and then they secure the absentee ballot, still sealed in its envelope, until Election Day.
For absentee ballots that are received prior to Election Day, the Town Clerks pre-mark the Election Day checklist to indicate that the voter returned an absentee ballot. Voters who return their absentee ballot prior to Election Day will not be allowed to vote in a polling place on Election Day.
If an absentee ballot arrives on Election Day, it is held until after 8:00pm when the absentee ballot is compared to the official Election Day checklist. If the voter who returned the absentee ballot on Election Day has voted in person in a polling place, the absentee ballot is not opened and is rejected. This procedure ensures that no voter can vote twice, even by mistake.
When the polls close on Election Day, the Town Clerks feed the ballots into the tabulators to be counted. Each town is able to report their results in separate totals for absentee ballots and for polling places.
ELECTION RESROUCES
Colebrook Town Clerk: Click here
Torrington City Clerk: Click here
Winchester Town Clerk: Click here
Absentee Ballot Application: Click Here
Absentee Ballot Fact Sheet: Click Here
Explanation of Absentee Ballot Process: Click Here
Voter Registration Lookup: Click Here
Additional Election Information from the SOTS: Click Here