Absentee Ballots Process: What You Need to Know

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we conduct business, educate our children, and go about our daily lives. It has also changed our election process.

In July, the legislature passed a bill, now law, making all residents eligible to vote by absentee ballot (AB) in the November general election citing COVID-19 as their reason. All you need to do is check the appropriate box on the application and be sure to sign the application.

We passed this legislation because it is important that all residents have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in a way that is safe and secure during this public health crisis.

Here’s how the process works:

STEP ONE:
During the month of September, the Secretary of the State’s (SOTS) office will be mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters. You may also access the application online through the SOTS’s website, and the town clerk’s office or webpage.

STEP TWO:
Complete your application and return it by mail via the United States Postal Service (USPS) or place it in a designated ballot drop box. The Official Ballot Drop Box location for North Haven is outside the front doors at Memorial Town Hall, 18 Church Street, North Haven, CT.

STEP THREE:
Once applications have been received, official absentee ballots will be mailed to you beginning October 2, 2020. Complete and return your absentee ballot in the same manner as your absentee ballot application (USPS or Official Ballot Drop Box), or the town clerk’s office.

Only immediate family members and health care providers may assist an individual with their ballot.

All absentee ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

PLEASE NOTE:
Residents who prefer to vote in person may do so at the usual polling locations between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2020. However, if you submit an absentee ballot, but later decide to vote in person, only your in-person ballot will count, and your absentee ballot will be discarded.

Election Resources

• North Haven Town Clerk
• Absentee Ballot Application
• Absentee Ballot Fact Sheet
• Explanation of Absentee Ballot Process
• Voter Registration Lookup
• Additional Election Information from the SOTS