The final week of Early Voting: Know before you go

The final week of Early Voting: Know before you go

CT Election 2026 Know before you go
Type: 
Blog Post

October 27, 2027

On the ballot this year, voters will see candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, and other statewide offices–such as the Attorney General and Secretary of the State–as well as their Connecticut Senate and House districts. Depending on the town, some voters will also see candidates for municipal offices or municipal charter questions on the ballot.

Early Voting ends Sunday evening, November 1  

Extended hours for Early Voting are Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 a.m.  to 8:00 p.m. Regular hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Early Voting locations are different from your Election Day polling place. Find yours HERE. 

What’s new for Early Voting: envelope goes, signature stays
Last year, early voters sealed their ballots in an envelope, signed the envelope, and dropped them in a box to be opened and fed into the tabulators by election officials on Election Day. This year, your signature is still required but you will feed your ballot directly into the tabulator (no envelope is required). Although the tabulators are programmed to disclose results only at the close of the polls on November 3, the signature and daily tally ensures that each voter casts only one vote, whether by absentee ballot, early in person, or on Election Day.

 

Voting on Election Day, November 3

Polls are open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling location at MyVote.CT.gov/lookup. You have the right to vote as long as you're in line by 8 p.m!

Know before you go

Here's a checklist to help your experience voting in person go smoothly.

  1. Confirm your voter registration using the Voter Lookup Tool at MyVote.CT.gov/lookup. If you're a new voter or can't find yourself in the system, don't panic! Same-Day Registration is available at your Early Voting location and at one specific Election Day site in your town (typically Town Hall). You will need to bring proof of 1) identity and  2) address. Learn more about Voter Registration ID Requirements HERE.

  2. Confirm your voting location. Early Voting locations can be found HERE or you can find your Election Day polling location at MyVote.CT.gov/lookup. You can also call your Town Clerk. 

  3. Review who's on your ballot at VOTE411.org/ballot. 

  4. Know the ID requirements for active registered voters. If you confirmed your voter registration using the Voter Lookup Tool, all you'll need at your voting location is your Social Security card or any pre-printed form of ID that includes your: a) name and address, or b) name and signature, or c) name and photograph. Or, you can sign Form ED-681 under penalty of false statement.  Learn more HERE.

  5. Plan your transportation to the polls. Lyft is again partnering with the League to provide free and discounted rides to help voters access polling places on November 3. How it works: Load VOTE26 into the Lyft app before Tuesday, Nov. 3, for 50% off (up to $10 off) on a ride to your polling place. Learn more HERE.

  6. Know your rights and save two numbers: 1) The Election Protection Hotline is 866-OUR-VOTE (or 866-687-8683), open daily for Connecticut voters during the entire Early Voting period and on Election Day. It is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Asian languages. 2) Connecticut's official Election Day Hotline is 866-733-2463, it will be open all day November 3 and is a joint effort by the Secretary of the State’s office, the State Elections Enforcement Commission, US State’s Attorney and Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s office, and the FBI. 

Learn more about your rights at the polls by visiting Connecticut's Voter Rights Page  and viewing the bilingual Election Protection Handout. 

 

CT Absentee Ballot Confirmation of Receipt

Absentee Voting

Absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m on Election Day by your Town Clerk.

Since Absentee Voting is a two-step process, if you haven’t already requested and received your absentee ballot, make a backup plan to vote early or on Election Day.

Have your ballot but haven’t returned it? Ensure that it arrives on time by skipping the mail and returning it via an official ballot drop box any time before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, or via hand-delivery to your Town Clerk during regular business hours. Find your town's drop boxes online HERE or call your Town Clerk.  

Need help returning your absentee ballot? You have options!  Find out who (besides you) can legally return your ballot HERE.

Already mailed in your absentee ballot? Track it using the Voter Lookup Tool at MyVote.CT.gov/lookup. If it should have already arrived and you don't see  "Absentee Ballot was received on [date]", then it has not been received and you should contact your Town Clerk immediately.

Want to vote in person but already requested an absentee ballot?  There are specific rules about returning your absentee ballot once it's been issued. Contact your Town Clerk as soon as possible about casting your vote in person instead.

Vote 411 Man in Tshirt 250X250

Where can I find more Connecticut election information?

Visit VOTE411.org for nonpartisan election information from the League of Women Voters Education Fund, or go to the source by visiting the Secretary of the State's voter information page at MyVote.CT.gov.

League to which this content belongs: 
Connecticut

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