Connecticut

Connecticut Election Day 2024: Here's what to know

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

Press Room

Connecticut Election Day 2024: Here's what to know

The 2024 presidential election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Connecticut voters will cast ballots in federal and state races.

Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris faces Republican Donald Trump for the state’s seven electoral votes.

In Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat, again faces GOP challenger George Logan. There are also various down-ticket races for state legislative seats, as well as a ballot question on whether or not to change the state constitution to allow no-excuse absentee voting by mail.

Election Day 2024 is notable in Connecticut for one more reason: It marks the state’s first time offering early voting during a presidential election. Early voting kicks off on Oct. 21 and runs through Nov. 3.

Here are the key dates, voting information and races you need to know about.

Key dates
How do I register to vote?
Can I register and vote on Election Day?
What is early voting and how can I do it?
Where do I vote?
Do I need to show photo identification to vote?
I am or have been incarcerated. Am I eligible to vote?
What are some of the key races?
Learn more

Key dates

Oct. 18 – Deadline to register in person, via mail or online, for early voting, as well as voting on Election Day.

Oct. 21 – Early voting begins. Unregistered voters may also register to vote in person every day

of early voting at the early voting location.

Nov. 3 – Early voting ends.

Nov 4 – Deadline to request an absentee ballot. Deadline for a voter to return, in-person, an absentee ballot to the Town Clerk’s office.

Nov. 5 – Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Deadline to return an absentee ballot by mail or to a drop box by close of polls.

How do I register to vote?

The cut off for voters to register to vote in person, via mail, or online is Oct. 18. There is same day registration available each day of the early voting period, and on Election Day.

Can I register and vote on Election Day?

Yes. You may register and vote in person on Election Day at a designated location in your town. That’s usually Town Hall, but check with your local registrars’ office.

You must meet eligibility requirements for voting in Connecticut and not already be registered. If you are registered in one town, but recently moved, you can register on Election Day to vote in your new town.

What is early voting and how can I do it?

Early voting is exactly what it sounds like: It’s a chance for registered voters to cast a ballot before Election Day. After voters seal their choices in an envelope, ballots will be secured, unopened, until Election Day.

Early voting is different from voting by absentee ballot, which requires a reason. Early voting is available to all eligible voters, provided they cast their ballots during the early voting period.

Early voting is open from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at the designated early voting location in each town. There are extended early voting hours on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Connecticut is one of the last states in the nation to offer early in-person voting. Early voting first rolled out in March to minimal turnout during the presidential preference primary. That low turnout raised concerns among some local officials, who said the law was underfunded and overly taxing for many part-time town officials. Early voting had a second go-around in August, to varying degrees of success. In Hamden, turnout was relatively high, but officials have said November will be the true test of the new state law.

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas signaled this summer she is open to working with the legislature to adjust the law, but said she wants to see how many early voters turn out during the November election before any changes are made. Early voting was approved by the state legislature in 2023.

Where do I vote?

Early voting: Early voting locations will be listed by town as they become available. (Each town in Connecticut will have at least one early voting location, state officials say. Towns with more than 20,000 residents may have additional locations.)

Election Day: Registered voters can also look up their Election Day polling place.

Do I need to show photo identification to vote?

No. Instead of presenting ID, voters can, in most cases, sign an affidavit when poll workers ask for ID. The identification does not need to be a driver’s license. It also does not need to have a photo. Here is a detailed list of Connecticut’s in-person voter ID requirements.

I am or have been incarcerated. Am I eligible to vote?

Possibly. Eligibility depends on the nature of the crime and your current confinement status.

You are eligible to vote if:

You have been convicted of a misdemeanor and are currently confined (via absentee ballot).
You are in pretrial detention and have not been convicted of any crime (via absentee ballot).
You are convicted of a felony and have completed your confinement.
You are convicted of a felony and are currently on only parole or probation.
You are convicted of election statute felonies and have completed confinement and parole/probation.

You are not eligible to register to vote or vote if:

You have been convicted of a felony and are currently confined.

Note: To restore voting rights after confinement, you must register to vote, even if previously registered, according to the Secretary of the State’s office.

What are some of the key races?

After tight 2022 race, Logan again seeks to unseat Hayes

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, first elected to Congress in 2018, faces off against GOP challenger George Logan in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District.

Hayes, 51, is a former National Teacher of the Year who has closely aligned herself with the progressive policies of the House Democrats during her time in Congress. She has touted her work on lowering the price of prescription drugs and improving care for military veterans as part of her 2024 campaign.

Logan, an engineer and former state senator, waged an unsuccessful, but competitive 2022 race against Hayes, losing by less than one percentage point. If elected, Logan would be the first Republican sent to Congress from deep-blue Connecticut since 2008 when Chris Shays lost to challenger Jim Himes.

Connecticut’s 5th District has been in Democratic control since 2006 when Republican Nancy Johnson lost to Chris Murphy, who later successfully ran for U.S. Senate.

Murphy faces GOP challenger for U.S Senate seat

Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy faces a challenge from GOP challenger Matthew Corey.

(Murphy was first elected to the Senate in 2012. His 2012 rise followed a Democratic primary featuring a cast of Connecticut politicians including future Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Attorney General William Tong, then a state representative. Murphy ultimately went on to defeat GOP candidate Linda McMahon, the former WWE CEO and performer. McMahon would later land a spot as administrator of the Small Business Administration under former President Donald Trump.)

In many ways, Murphy’s time in Congress has been defined by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Since then, he has emerged as a national voice advocating for stricter gun control laws. He also speaks regularly on loneliness and is a member of the Senate’s Appropriations and Foreign Relations committees.

Corey, a Manchester resident and Navy veteran, is a small business owner. He ran unsuccessfully against Murphy in 2018. Corey faces an uphill battle again this year, as Murphy has already amassed a massive fundraising advantage.

CT voters face question to expand ballot access in future elections

A ballot question will also appear this November. The question will ask voters to amend the state constitution to allow for no-excuse voting by mail. Currently, state law requires voters to give a reason when requesting an absentee ballot, such as sickness or absence from town on Election Day.

If approved, this change would allow the legislature to vote on legislation to expand mail-in voting to all voters, according to the Connecticut Mirror. Many states allow no-excuse absentee voting.

If the measure fails, as a similar effort did in 2014, the legislature would not be permitted to vote to change the rules around no-excuse absentee voting. Instead, a question allowing the constitutional change would again need to be put before voters during a future election.

Other U.S. House seats also up for reelection in 2024

District 1

U.S. Rep. John Larson, a Democrat first elected to Congress in 1998, faces challenger Jim Griffin. Griffin was endorsed by Republicans without opposition in May.

District 2

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who has represented the district since 2007, faces Mike France, a Republican and former Connecticut state representative who waged an unsuccessful campaign against Courtney in 2022.

District 3

Democratic U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, 81, who has represented the district since 1991 and has been re-elected ever since. DeLauro faces Republican Michael Massey, a New Haven resident.

District 4

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat who has held the district since 2009, faces Republican challenger Michael Goldstein, an ophthalmologist and lawyer.

Learn more

Connecticut Secretary of the State | Register Online to Vote | Important Voter Information

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Connecticut

CT lawmakers plan special session as families worry about SNAP, other federal aid

Published

15 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

CT lawmakers plan special session as families worry about SNAP, other federal aid

As the federal government shutdown rolls into its second month, questions mount for people relying on a range of federally-funded benefits.

Connecticut lawmakers are negotiating the parameters of a bill to set aside as much as $500 million to help households relying on various assistance programs and subsidies.

“Right now, my number one priority on a timely basis is taking care of people who were hit and hit hard by this shutdown,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Connecticut) said during a press conference at Hands on Hartford.

There’s bipartisan support for a response to several concerns over federal funding, including:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is paying for half the monthly benefits in November, leaving questions about when those payments will come and what might happen if the shutdown continues into December.
The shutdown continues as Democrats and Republicans disagree over the future of subsidies for people who buy health insurance through Affordable Care Act exchanges.
And stats have not received money from the Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, because Congress has not approved a spending plan.

Democratic and Republican leaders have said the goal is to put money aside in case federal funding for specific benefits are cut or frozen.

The intent is to make sure benefits continue through early February, when lawmakers return to the capitol. There is debate about whether the money should come from the Rainy Day Fund or a surplus within the existing budget.

Either way, lawmakers said they want to help families relying on programs like SNAP.

“I think we should have started figuring it out two weeks ago because there were some people who were optimistic,” Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-Minority Leader) said. “I just don’t see the shutdown ending anytime soon.”

That could include making sure households receive their full benefit and setting aside money in case the shutdown drags on and the USDA fails to fund the program again in December.

Lamont said Monday that Connecticut could copy what states like Vermont, Virginia and Utah have done, putting money onto the EBT cards SNAP beneficiaries already have.

“It was a bouncing ball there for a while, we have a pretty good idea now,” he said. “We will be able to use the EBT card. We can potentially do cash on that if this thing goes a lot longer.”

The state did give $3 million to Foodshare last week, helping the organization purchase six million additional meals.

Those meals will be distributed over the next two weeks through Foodshare’s existing network, starting Monday.

Janet Bermudez, executive director of Hands on Hartford, said families coming to her pantry are looking everywhere they can for help after not receiving benefits on Saturday.

“Folks that are not receiving their SNAP benefits are becoming anxious, desperate,” she said, estimating the pantry saw a 20% increase in demand even before Saturday.

She said families, and not just those on SNAP, have been asking for more help as they also pay more for electricity, housing and other costs.

Bermudez said that’s one of the reasons pantries alone can’t make up for the assistance families are losing through SNAP.

“What we’re able to give out is about 40 pounds of groceries, and that, I know, does not feed a family for a month,” she said.

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Connecticut

This Artistic Connecticut Airbnb With A Pool And Zen Vibes Was Once Home To Mount Rushmore’s Creator – Islands

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

This Artistic Connecticut Airbnb With A Pool And Zen Vibes Was Once Home To Mount Rushmore’s Creator – Islands

The charm of an Airbnb lies in its promise of a one-of-a-kind stay. From treehouses in Texas to isolated cottages in Iceland, Airbnb has built its reputation on offering distinctive, self-catering accommodations. Among these unique stays is a striking property in the heart of Stamford, Connecticut, known as the ZenHouse.

Beyond its mid-century aesthetic, this artistic Airbnb was once home to the creator of Mount Rushmore. American sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who lived here while creating some of his most celebrated works, famously carved the giant faces of four U.S. presidents along the stunning South Dakota road trip route. Today, the ZenHouse is a retreat for guests, with a sparkling pool, zen vibes, and an impressive 4.95-star rating from over 250 reviews.

The host is an Airbnb Superhost; in other words, a trusted, top-tier host with a solid track record. As of October 2025, the host holds a perfect five-point rating for both communication and check-in, and guest reviews echo this sentiment. One reviewer, Mourad, wrote: “Olga is an amazing host — thoughtful, kind, and generous. From offering an early check-out to avoid traffic to bringing us pastries and tea, she truly went above and beyond.” Another guest from fall 2025 added that she ‘has so much love and knowledge of this property and its history’.

The host has clearly gone above and beyond to make every detail count. Upon arrival, guests are invited to join a guided meditation walk, a Japanese tradition to help acquaint you with the space. Inside, thoughtful touches like board games, books, exercise equipment, a zen garden, and complimentary tea all contribute to the home’s lived-in charm.

A mid-century guest cottage with a monumental garden

The house itself is modest and unassuming, especially considering the colossal national artistic achievement of its former owner. It’s technically a guest cottage on a 3.5-acre estate shared with the current owners. The home was built around 1955 in classic mid-century modern style. The single-story, open-concept layout has one bedroom and two bathrooms, ideal for two guests.

Interiors embrace neutral tones, wooden touches, and expansive glasswork characteristic of mid 20th-century architecture. There is even a subtle Japanese aesthetic, complemented by artwork created by the owners themselves. Guests are encouraged to channel their own creativity, too, with an easel, fresh canvas, and paint provided for each new arrival.

The garden, on the other hand, is anything but small. Set in a wooded landscape that borders the Rippowam River and a small pond home to a resident swan named Gatsby, the grounds are easy to get lost in. The guesthouse sits next to the heated swimming pool, available for an additional fee of $100 per day during summer months.

The private, fenced-in gardens offer guests access to a fire pit, outdoor dining area with a BBQ, and pool loungers. On-site parking is free, and a private entrance allows you to come and go as you please. It’s also worth mentioning that gardeners tend to the property on Tuesday mornings, while pool cleaning happens every Wednesday.

What makes this property stand out is its versatility. While the cottage comfortably sleeps two, the kitchen is equipped for a larger group. Although guests need to get permission to invite visitors onto the property, the images suggest that you can host intimate dinners, provided the atmosphere stays relaxed and respectful. The hosts are also happy to elevate the experience with private chef dining and flower arrangements.

Everything you need to know about location of ZenHouse

ZenHouse is set in a quiet corner of Stamford, a picturesque, yet lively New England city that was once considered a residential suburb of New York City, just 40 miles from The Big Apple.Stamford is now a major business hub, home to financial headquarters and publishing firms.

Despite its proximity to Manhattan, this Airbnb feels worlds away. It’s tucked away in a leafy suburb of North Stamford, practically surrounded by towering trees and gardens. Adding to the seclusion, the pool sits between two massive stone walls, remnants of Borglum’s former outdoor studio. He designed the space to be almost completely surrounded by the river, creating a private and inspiring setting for his work. At the time, you had to cross a drawbridge to get to his studio.

The neighborhood in general is a hotspot for golf and tennis, which means plenty of open green spaces and fresh air. Location-wise, it’s conveniently within 3 miles of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens, and Sterling Farms Golf Course. For travelers, the closest international airport is LaGuardia, which is just 36 miles from the property.

John F. Kennedy is also pretty close — about an hour away. Both JFK and LaGuardia airports connect with just about every major U.S. city as well as plenty of international destinations. The house comes fully equipped with all the usual necessities, but doesn’t include a washer. That said, there is a laundromat nearby, as well as a center with a Trader Joe’s and CVS just across the Merritt Parkway.

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Connecticut

The oldest restaurant in CT is more than 200 years old. How to eat there

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

The oldest restaurant in CT is more than 200 years old. How to eat there

You know a restaurant is quality when it’s lasted for more than 250 years.

Twelve years older than the United States itself, the oldest restaurant in Connecticut first opened for business in 1754 in Woodbury Connecticut. . First built by Rev. Anthony Stoddard as a family house in 1734, in 1754 it was converted to a business and inn, the oldest in the state.

This colonial site has remained operational as an inn and tavern for the 250+ years its original opening, despite one brief pause before WWII. Originally called the Curtis House, the site has undergone many name changes, landing on The 1754 House in 2020.

Want to have a dining experience with over 200 years of history? Here’s all the details about eating at The 1754 House today.

About dining at 1754 House

Today, the colonial inn has two dining areas – the 1754 Dining Room, the main dining spot, and The Flat Five, a Blues tavern with pub fare and live music.

While the formal dining room and relaxed tavern differ in atmosphere, the menus are largely the same. 1754 House serves up American comfort food classics with New England roots.

An extensive wine list joins a creative lineup of craft cocktails, including New England-inspired mouthfuls like the Maple-Bacon Old Fashioned.

How to eat at 1754 House

Flat Five Blues Tavern is open Wednesday-Saturday from 5-10 p.m., and the 1754 Dining Room is open Tuesday-Thursday from 4-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 1754 House is located at 506 Main St. South in Woodbury.

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