The ultimate freedom: restoring the right to vote 

by | Oct 14, 2022

Article written by: Julia Casey

Elections for Connecticut’s Governor, Lieutenant Governor and many elected officials will take place in towns across the state this November 8th. For individuals who have spent time in prison, regaining the right to vote after confinement is a key step in their transition to the community. And in late September, more than thirty of Community Partners in Action participants registered to vote with the assistance from the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut.  

Individuals are eligible to have their voting privileges restored when they are released from incarceration. Registering to vote can be done online for those who have a Connecticut DMV identification. Otherwise, individuals can complete a paper registration card and deliver it to a local Registrar of Voters office before the registration deadlines. Registration cut-off in all towns is November 1, 2022.  

In Person Voter Identification 

For most voters, identification must fulfill one of the following requirements: 

  • Forms of ID: social security card, signed statement, pre-printed form of ID showing name and address, or name and signature, or name and photograph.  
  • Polls open on November 8, 2022 at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. 
  • Important voter information can be found on CT.gov, including a list of election candidates by town. 

How a person who is homeless can vote

Individuals who have spent time or slept in a town and intend to go back to a place, even if not there presently, can be considered a resident of a town and eligible to vote. Visit here or myvote.ct.gov for more information. 

Community Partners in Action is a long-standing nonprofit focused on helping currently and formerly incarcerated people reestablish themselves in the community and advocate on their behalf. Learn more at https://cpa-ct.org