To the editor:
The word “choice” has become a political hot button word which garners association primarily with reproductive freedom. In Connecticut, our state legislators have guaranteed that humans have the right to choose what personal decisions they would make about women’s health and reproduction.
However, there is another issue where “choice” is on the ballot this year and pertains to the fundamental right that people over age 18 have in our country — this is the right to vote. Some states, including Connecticut, have limited the choices voters have in their ability to vote. Although Connecticut has expanded voter access with early voting, some people, for a variety of reasons, would still not be able to cast their vote either before or on Election Day. And the current rules that apply to absentee voting would not allow them to be eligible.
I am fortunate to be able to vote either early or on Nov. 5 this year. But there are a multitude of reasons others many not be able to do so. For example, the hard-working person who may hold down two or more jobs to make ends meet and cannot afford to take time off from work to vote during voting hours. Our current absentee rules, in essence, disenfranchise those in a scenario such as this.
There are too many states that disenfranchise voters within certain demographics. Let’s make certain that Connecticut becomes a state that truly grants everyone their right to vote, and their “choice” in how they will do so, by voting YES to the question on the ballot, “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”
Lory Nurenberg
Westport
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