Connecticut

Gen Z voters keep close tabs on upcoming presidential election

Published

9 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Gen Z voters keep close tabs on upcoming presidential election

As both candidates continue to make their case to become president, watching the debate were the youngest voting group, Gen Z.

“The housing crisis. The levels of inflation, it’s extremely high and extremely unaffordable,” Lucina Kim, a senior at Southern Connecticut State University, said.

Those are just some of things Kim is thinking about with the presidential election just a couple months away. She’s one of a number of students at Southern Connecticut State University that watched the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

One topic she wanted to hear discussed is reproductive rights.

“I know that especially during the midterm elections and the passing of the Dobbs decision, it swayed a lot of voters,” she said.

At Connecticut College in New London, that’s a topic Sophia Williams and Tate Buchwald have seen drive voter registration among fellow students, along with climate change and the war in Gaza.

Both are part of a nonpartisan student voting initiative Camels Vote on campus.

“Our students that are coming from more red states or more kind of in the middle of states have had that issue voiced to us multiple times because it is important,” Buchwald said.

A NBC News poll of Gen Z voters aged 18 to 29 this month shows about half supporting Harris and about one-third supporting Trump.

Quinnipiac University Political Science Professor Scott McClean said these voters can sway the election in swing states and isn’t surprised to see this current trend.

“What really seems to be driving the democratic advantages with Gen Z voters, and particularly with women, is that reproductive freedom question,” he said.

Williams said at Connecticut College, many out-of-state students are asking for information on absentee ballots.

“Students who are looking to register to vote in this election, they want to vote where their vote matters most,” she said.

Kim said she’s hoping her peers will exercise their right at the ballot box to ensure their voice has an impact.

“We are no longer going to stay silent about the contemporary issues that we are experiencing,” she said.

That same NBC News poll also shows about one in 10 Gen Z voters saying they don’t plan on voting. 6% say they’ll vote for someone else.

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Connecticut

Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony to be held at Connecticut Fire Academy

Published

2 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Press Room

Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony to be held at Connecticut Fire Academy

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT (WFSB) – Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the deadliest terror attack in the United States.

On that day, many people lost their friends, family, and loved ones.

More than 3,000 people were killed, and more than 6,000 others were injured in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville, PA.

Thousands of first responders bravely rushed to help the innocent victims.

Over 161 people killed on 9/11 had ties to Connecticut. Memorials were scheduled across the state on Wednesday to honor them.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection planned to host a memorial service at the Connecticut Fire Academy at 9 a.m. in Windsor Locks.

Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement earlier this week.

“That day 23 years ago was one of the darkest in our nation’s history, and we must use this anniversary to reflect,” Lamont said.

Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins and representatives from the Connecticut Fire Academy and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control are expected to be in attendance.

Other memorials and ceremonies happening in Connecticut:

Avon – Volunteer Fire Department Headquarters – 25 Darling Dr., Avon – 7:45 a.m.
Bethel – Blood drive – Bethel Volunteer Fire Department from noon to 5 p.m.
Cromwell – Frisbee Landing – 8:46 a.m.
Derby – Derby Green at 6 p.m.
East Hartford – Goodwin University – 10 .m.
Groton – Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum at 8:30 a.m.
Meriden – outside of City Hall – 8:30 a.m.
Waterbury – Holy Cross High School – Reception at 6:30 p.m., tribute at 7 p.m.
West Haven – Bradley Point Park flag raising at 6:30 p.m. Then, Candlelight vigil at the 9/11 Memorial at 6 Rock St. at 7 p.m.

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Connecticut

Connecticut Election Day 2024: Here's what to know

Published

17 hours 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.