Month: June 2023

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today signed legislation into law creating a system of early voting for general elections, special elections, and primaries in Connecticut.

The legislation, Public Act 23-5, requires 14 days of early voting for general elections, 7 days of early voting for most primaries, and 4 days of early voting for special elections and presidential preference primaries. It will apply to elections and primaries that occur on or after January 1, 2024. Every municipality in the state will be required to establish at least one early voting location and has the option of establishing more.

Connecticut is one of the last states in the nation to adopt a system of early voting. Now that Governor Lamont has signed this bill, the only states that do not permit early voting are Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire. All other states allow it.

“Encouraging voters to cast a ballot in elections must be a priority for any functioning democracy, and expanding the hours that voters can cast a ballot will give more people an opportunity to get to their polling place and vote,” Governor Lamont said. “In today’s economy, it is not realistic to expect every eligible voter to travel in person to one specific location during a limited set of hours on a Tuesday to cast their ballot. Nearly every other state in our country has early voting, and I am glad that Connecticut is finally joining them. Based on the results of last year’s election during which Connecticut voters were asked whether they want early voting, it is clear that this is something people here are demanding. I applaud the bipartisan members of the General Assembly who voted to send this bill to my desk, and I thank the advocates – including former Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas – for their efforts to work with our municipalities to create this system. I am glad to put my signature on this bill.”

“Many people do not have the privilege of taking time off work, coming in a little late, or leaving a little early to cast their vote on Election Day,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “By giving residents more time to vote, this bill will make it easier for everyone – especially our seniors, students, and working families – to exercise this important constitutional right. I’m proud that Connecticut is catching up to the vast majority of our fellow states that allow for early voting. Thank you to Governor Lamont, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, former Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, and so many others who worked to pass this important bill.”

This press release was made possible by:

Sen. Tony Hwang, ranking Senator on the CT General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, today applauded the State Senate’s passage of HB 6746, which he co-introduced. The bill now heads to the governor for his signature.

The state of Connecticut has already begun installing wrong-way driving technology on several on-ramps of I-84, Route 2, I-95, I-395, Route 291, and I-391. There are also plans to install the technology on I-91 in Windsor at the northbound HOV exit and Exit 42 northbound and southbound. 

The legislation will eventually install wrong-way detection systems at over 120 highway exit ramps that are deemed “high risk” by state transportation officials who have studied nearly 700 ramps statewide.

“These improvements of warning signage and electronic sensors on our roadways will hopefully prevent future senseless and preventable tragedies,” Sen. Hwang said.  “Wrong-way collisions killed 23 people in 2022 in Connecticut in 13 different accidents. The state recorded only two wrong-way crashes in 2020 and four in 2021. This law will help to hopefully stop wrong-way drivers and save lives.”

The improvements call for a combination of warning lights, signs, electronic messages, and rumble strips to deter drivers from mistakenly getting on an exit.

“Wrong way driving deaths in Connecticut are up 500%”,  according to Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “More than 80% of wrong-way drivers are found to be impaired. It is so important people think twice before they get behind the wheel. Driving drunk is a dangerous decision that can hurt and kill people. We need people to drive sober because one wrong move can be deadly.”

“We extend our condolences to so many Connecticut families that have suffered an irreplaceable loss due to wrong-way driving,” Sen. Hwang said.  “And that loss is deepened at every gathering and holiday events because these are preventable tragedies.  As policymakers, we can help make our roads safer for everyone, and this bill is one way to do that.”

Sen. Hwang said he would continue to focus on all types of road safety improvement measures, such as driving impairment, distracted driving and cannabis.

“We want all drivers to rethink getting behind the wheel with any level of impairment,” Sen. Hwang said. “That requires making a conscious cultural and societal shift. It requires education and public awareness through open, honest and sensible discussions.  We need to reinforce that impaired driving is never acceptable.  We do not want to mourn another tragic loss of life.”

Anyone that witnesses a wrong-way driver should call 911 immediately with the location.