Senator McLachlan Voices Objection to Early Voting Proposal, Idea Already Rejected by Voters

Report by Paula Antolini
March 6, 2017 10:25AM EDT

Senator McLachlan Voices Objection to Early Voting Proposal, Idea Already Rejected by Voters

State Senator Michael McLachlan (R-24) said he opposes a measure that proposes allowing early voting in Connecticut. Proposed Senate Joint Resolution 26, Resolution Proposing A State Constitutional Amendment Allowing For Early Voting During State Elections, is scheduled for a public hearing before the legislature’s Government Administration & Elections Committee on Monday, March 6.

“Voters in 2014 had the opportunity to approve a ballot measure that would have amended the Connecticut Constitution’s voting provisions. Voters rejected that amendment,” Sen. McLachlan said. “Now, three years later, Democrats are trying to push their agenda on an issue that already has been decided. It’s time we more on to more important matters.”

The proposed resolution calls for amending the state Constitution to allow voting to take place on the five calendar days prior to election day, except Sunday. If approved, the measure would still have to be approved by the new elected legislature before it could become a ballot measure in a general election.

“At a time when our state is in a fiscal crisis, I don’t think we should be considering measures that would add significant costs to our election process and potentially make that process more vulnerable to fraud,” Sen. McLachlan said.

Monday’s public hearing takes place at 11 a.m. in room 2AB of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Sen. McLachlan represents the communities of Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Sherman.