Voting in Connecticut
General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
At a glance
Many people are registered automatically when they deal with the DMV or certain state agencies. You can register and vote on the same day, including Election Day.
Show ID (photo or non-photo, e.g. Social Security card, utility bill); without it, sign a statement under penalty of false statement giving your address and birth date and vote a regular ballot. No ID? Ask your election office whether it offers a free one for voting. First-time voters who registered by mail may need to show ID under federal law.
No-excuse absentee newly enacted by HB 5001 (2026) after 2024 constitutional amendment; SOTS confirms it applies to Nov 3, 2026 Return deadline: received by 8 p.m. Nov 3 (close of polls).
Oct 19 - Nov 1 (14-day early voting period per 2023 law; NCSL: 15 days before through 2 days before)
Only people in prison for a felony lose the vote; since 2021 rights return on release, including people on parole.
Deadlines
| Step | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register online | Tuesday, October 27 | |
| Register by mail | Tuesday, October 27 | |
| Register in person | Tuesday, November 3 | Same-day registration |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3 | Polls close times vary; check your state. |
Mail ballot request: Nov 2, 2026 (per SOTS; mail requests should be made much earlier; online applications from Sept 19, ballots issued from Oct 2). Mail ballot return: received by 8 p.m. Nov 3 (close of polls).
Where the road gets harder
Every rule is a cost, and it doesn't fall on everyone the same. A deadline, a document or a trip to an office is easy for some people and a real obstacle for others: people who work hourly jobs, move often, live far from an office, don't drive, or have a disability. Here is what that looks like in Connecticut.
- Mail ballots have to arrive by Election Day; a postmark isn't enough. A ballot mailed in the last days can arrive too late and won't count, so return it in person if it's close.
News from Connecticut
Recent election, voting and policy headlines that mention Connecticut, newest first. They are found automatically and not checked: a headline shows what someone published, not that it is true.
News appears here once the news feed is connected.
Official links
Connecticut Secretary of the State. These go straight to the government, not to us.
Sources
Checked October 12, 2026. Laws and court rulings change, sometimes close to an election. If anything here disagrees with your state or county election office, they are right and we are wrong; please tell us.
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-registration-deadlines
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/online-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/automatic-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-voter-registration
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-11-receipt-and-postmark-deadlines-for-absentee-mail-ballots
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-1-states-with-no-excuse-absentee-voting
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-3-states-with-permanent-absentee-voting-lists
- https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/voter-information/absentee-voting
- https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/06/23/connecticut-enacts-no-excuse-absentee-voting-four-other-election-bills-in-2026/
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id
- https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights