Absentee voting in Connecticut is limited to those with certain eligibility requirements. To receive your absentee ballot, complete and sign an application and return it to your Town Clerk one day before Election Day. To receive an absentee ballot application by mail, contact the Secretary of State or your Town Clerk, and they will send you one.
Your voted ballot must be received by your Town Clerk’s office by 8pm on Election Day to be counted.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE?
You can vote absentee if you meet any of these criteria:
- You determine that you are unable to appear at your polling place on Election Day because you will be absent from the city or town in which you live.
- You are an active member of the armed forces of the United States.
- You or someone you care for is sick. The term "sickness" is determined by the individual voter and includes identified and widespread diseases such as COVID-19 which poses a risk to a voter's health.
- You are unable to appear at the polling location or may only be able to appear with the assistance of another or through great personal exertion.
- Religion tenets that forbid secular activity on Election Day
- Your required performance of duties as a primary, referendum, or election official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours on Election Day
HOW DO I VOTE ABSENTEE?
There are a few absentee ballot options in Connecticut:
- Absentee Ballot: Complete the absentee ballot request form and submit it to your Town Clerk.
- Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot: This type of application is only for those who apply for an absentee ballot because of unforeseen illness or physical disability occurring within 6 days before the close of the polls at an election, primary or referendum, or because they are patients in a hospital within that timeframe. Download the application on the secretary of state’s website.
- Absentee Ballot for Referendum with Less than 3 Weeks’ Notice: This application is only for a referendum authorized to be held with less than 3 weeks’ notice. In such a case, absentee ballots are to be made available within 4 business days after the questions to be voted on are finalized. These ballots cannot be mailed to you. Download the application on the secretary of state’s website.
- Permanent Absentee Voter Status for Voters with Disabilities: If you are a voter with a permanent disability you can apply to your Town Clerk for permanent absentee ballot status. Please reach out to your Town Clerk for more information on how to apply.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is the Monday before Election Day.
HOW DO I RETURN MY ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION?
Return your completed form to your Town Clerk in person or by mail.
If your municipal clerk has a fax machine, you may fax your application to the clerk, but you also must also mail your completed application with your original signature to the clerk, either separately or with your absentee ballot. If your application with your original signature is not received by the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary, or referendum, your absentee ballot will not be counted.
DO I HAVE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR EACH ELECTION?
Yes, you must complete a separate application for each election, primary, and referendum. For voters with disabilities, you can apply for permanent absentee voter status. Please reach out to your Town Clerk for more information.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Your sealed marked ballot and signed outer envelope must reach the town clerk's office by 8pm on Election Day.
WHEN ARE ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAILED OUT TO VOTERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THEM?
Absentee ballots are provided by the Town Clerk beginning 31 days before an election, 21 days before a primary, or 19 days before a referendum, depending on when a completed request form is received.
Blank ballots may be sent out to certain military persons beginning 90 days before a regular election and to Connecticut electors temporarily residing outside the U.S. and all military persons beginning 45 days before a regular election, approximately 30 days before a primary and as soon as a complete list of candidates and questions is available before a special election.
HOW DO I RETURN MY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
You can return your ballot by mail, in person, or a secure ballot drop box. Please contact your Town Clerk for additional information
CAN I TRACK MY MAILED ABSENTEE BALLOT?
You can track your absentee ballot here.
WHAT IF I REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BUT WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON?
If you have submitted your executed ballot to the Town Clerk, and you change your mind and want to vote in person at the polls, you have until 10 AM on Election Day to appear at the Town Clerk’s office to withdraw your ballot.
HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AS AN OVERSEAS OR US MILITARY VOTER?
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Request your Ballot