HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut officials are reminding voters of all the opportunities available to ensure they can cast their ballot this Election Day, including in-person voting, absentee ballot drop boxes and same day voter registration.
On the steps of the State Capitol Monday, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill reminded voters that voting locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
"If you're in line by 8 p.m., stay in line. You will be allowed to vote no matter how long the line is as long as you got in line by 8 o'clock. That's the same whether you're voting at a polling place or with Election day registration. Just make sure you stay there," Merrill said.
COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place at the polls, including social distancing markers for lines.
According to officials, the lines at the polls may look "extremely long" this year due to social distancing requirements, however they reassure voters that the lines will move as quickly as possible.
Officials urge voters to wear a mask when going to vote in-person, but there will be other options for voters that do not have a mask available.
One of those options include curb-side voting, though that brings up the question of whether curb-side voters will be able to see their ballots be submitted into the tabulator.
Merrill and other officials insisted that public safety is the top concern, so voters who choose to not wear a mask will not be allowed to enter the voting location and must trust in the Registrar of Voters who will ensure the ballot is protected and submitted.
Attorney General William Tong said state officials are making every effort and option available to ensure people practice their constitutional right to vote.
"But you do not have a constitutional right to endanger other people and you don't have a constitutional right to make other people sick, and it is the law of the state of Connecticut right now that you should wear a mask," he said.
Other safety precautions that polling locations may have include plexiglass dividers at check-in, disposable pens or pencils and privacy booths between 6 to 8 feet apart.
To find your voting location, visit the state's look-up tool here.
Merrill said the state is going to have a big voter turn-out this year if absentee ballots give any indication.
As of Monday afternoon, Merrill said about six hundred thousand absentee ballots were submitted.
"If you still have your ballot, it's not too late to return it," Merrill said, though she mentioned it is too late to mail it. "You can drop your absentee ballot in the ballot boxes right up through 8 o'clock on Election Day."
A big turn-out is also anticipated due to a "high-mark record" for the state in terms of voter registration, according to Merrill.
More than seven hundred thousand new voters have registered since 2016, bringing up Connecticut's voter count to over 2.3 million voters, Merrill said.
However, she reminds citizens they can still register to vote on Election Day with same day voter registration in their town.
For more information on voting, visit the Secretary of the State website.
