Advocacy Update: A Recap of Connecticut's 2021 Legislative Session

Advocacy Update: A Recap of Connecticut's 2021 Legislative Session

2021 Legislative Recap
Type: 
Blog Post

June 18, 2021

What a session!  The 2021 Session of the CT General Assembly adjourned June 9 and then quickly reconvened for a short Special Session.  Many of the priorities established by the League of Women Voters of CT were achieved or they made significant progress.  Thank you to everyone who took action whether through testimony, keeping friends and neighbors informed, attending virtual/in person press conferences and meetings, writing to your legislators, writing letters to the editor or opinion pieces, posting on social media – the list of advocacy actions is long! 

Together we accomplished much.  Here’s the rundown:

  • Early Voting:  the General Assembly passed HJ 59 for necessary 2nd time.  Next Step:  In 2022, he voters of CT will vote on whether to amend the state Constitution to allow for Early Voting. 
  • No Excuse Absentee Voting:  the General Assembly passed HJ 58 by a simple majority.  This means that the Assembly elected in 2022 and seated in 2023 must pass the provision again.  The earliest this will come before the voters is 2024.
  • CT Voting Rights:  SB 5, dubbed the CT Voting Rights bill contained a multitude of measures to expand voting rights and accessibility.  The provisions of this bill were included in the budget implementer bill passed during the short Special Session.  Provisions include:
    • Restoring voting rights to people on parole
    • Making permanent the use of drop boxes for the return of absentee ballots
    • Two hours of unpaid time off for state elections and specified special elections if requested in advance
    • Expanded automatic voter registration
    • Bottle Bill:  For the first time in 40 years, CT’s recycling bill has been updated!  Now Public Act 21-58, this policy expands the types of beverages subject to recycling, increases the handling fee, and increases the bottle deposit.  For background see:  LWVCT Action Alert
    • Ended prison gerrymandering:  The General Assembly passed Substitute for SB 753 and the Governor signed the bill into law as Public Act No. 21-13.  This means that for redistricting purposes, incarcerated persons will be enumerated as residing in their home communities rather than in the town where the prison is located. 

Up Next:  Redistricting is the 10 year process following the decennial census in which congressional and state House and Senate districts are reviewed and potentially redrawn.  The LWVCT will continue to speak out as part of the LWVUS People Powered Fair Maps campaign.  As action opportunities are defined we will keep you apprised. 

League to which this content belongs: 
Greater Hartford