A quick guide to Election Day: Where to go, what to know

A quick guide to Election Day: Where to go, what to know

Election Day Where to Go What to Know
Type: 
Blog Post

November 3, 2026 - Updated 12:00 p.m.

Connecticut is prepared to protect voters. Here's how you can do your part.

Voting is a fundamental right, and every eligible voter deserves the opportunity to cast their ballot freely, safely, and without intimidation or unnecessary barriers. Our message to voters is simple: Be informed, know your rights, and don't let confusion or barriers keep you from voting.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m and absentee ballots must reach your Town Clerk by 8 p.m in order for them to be processed and counted. 

Voting at the polls

Confirm your polling location before you head out the door.
You can find your polling location and confirm your voter registration at MyVote.CT.gov/lookup and review who's on your ballot at VOTE411.org/ballot. Made a mistake on your ballot? You have the right to ask for a new ballot. You have the right to vote as long as you're in line by 8 p.m!  
 
Use Same-Day Registration if you need it.
Don’t panic if you registered to vote but your name is not on the list. Get help from a poll worker to make sure your vote is counted. Connecticut has Same-Day Registration; you may be directed to Town Hall to complete your registration.
 
Know the voter ID requirements that apply to you.

  • If you're an active registered voter who has voted before, you will be asked but not required to show an ID. You can use 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 and cast your ballot.

  • If you are a first-time voter registering for the first time, you will be required to show proof of identity and residency, or cast a provisional ballot.

To learn more, see the Voter ID FAQ at MyVote.CT.gov.

 

Know Your Rights CT Elections

Know your rights, learn about federal election monitors, and how Connecticut's 250-Foot Election Security Rule applies.

Within 250 feet of a polling place, Connecticut law prohibits police officers and ICE employees from loitering or being there to question voters about their eligibility or to interfere with their right to vote. There are limited exceptions, and this does not mean that all government employees are prohibited from being nearby.

  1. See this Election Protection handout in English and Spanish.   
  2. Visit ACLU Connecticut's Guide to Election Monitors and Voter Protection to learn about  what election monitors can and cannot do so you can best protect yourself against any attempts at voter intimidation, deception, obstruction, or suppression at the polls. For more background, see the Brennan Center resource on Roles and Rules for the Federal Election Monitor Programs.
  3. Read the the Secretary of the State's guidance on Connecticut's 250-Foot Election Security Rule: What You Need to Know.  
Be ready to report any election disruption and voter intimidation at the polls. 
If you personally experience or witness an incident that disrupts the election in any way, you can follow the steps below to report it. Election disruption may include, but is not limited to, voter registration issues, voter intimidation, voter registration purges, violence, federal agents at the polls, etc. 
 
On Election Day: 
  1. If you are at the polls, tell the Election Moderator before you leave.
  2. Call Connecticut's official Election Day Hotline: 1-866-SEEC-INFO (or 866-733-2463). This hotline is a joint effort by the Secretary of the State’s office, the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC), US State’s Attorney and Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s office, and the FBI.
  3. Call the Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (or 866-687-8683). It is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Asian languages and open to Connecticut voters on Election Day and the following days.

For in-person assistance: You can also call your local immigration coalition's rapid response hotline for real-time help from members of your community who have experience in de-escalation best practices, mobilizing to provide a protective community presence, and supporting affected community members who have been targeted by federal agents.

  • Please DO report only what you witness personally, and pass on the hotline numbers below to anyone else who tells you they witnessed something concerning. Document the incident from a safe distance with your phone, noting the time, location, and other relevent details.

  • Please DO NOT believe or share everything you hear or see on social media, or spread second- or third-hand unverified reports. Rumors can do a great deal of unnecessary harm.

  • Danbury: (475) 237-7351
  • Hartford, New Britain & Bloomfield: (959) 204-0771
  • Greater New Haven Area: (854) 666- 4472 or (475) 323- 9413
  • New London: (854) 666-4472
  • Middletown: (203) 640-8730
  • Stamford & Norwalk: (203) 391-3451
After Election Day: If you believe your situation needs legal attention from the ACLU Foundation of Connecticut (for example, you believe your rights were violated and you want it reviewed for possible legal action), you can fill out the Voter Rights Intake Form at https://action.aclu.org/aclu-form/ct-election-protection.
 
 
 

CT Absentee Ballot Confirmation of ReceiptVoting by absentee ballot

Don't forget to sign the outer envelope! If you haven’t returned your absentee ballot yet, drop it in an Official Ballot Drop Box before 8 p.m. Find your town's drop boxes online HERE or call your Town Clerk.  Do you need help returning your absentee ballot? You have options!  Find out who (besides you) can legally return your ballot HERE.

Did you return your ballot before Election Day? Use MyVote.CT.gov/lookup to check on its status. If you don't see  "Absentee Ballot was received on [date]", then it has not been received and you should contact your Town Clerk immediately. Any ballots returned late will not be counted. 

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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