To the editor:

This year in Connecticut, all eligible voters may VOTE EARLY in person beginning Oct. 21. Westport voters may vote at Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave. Early voting is available every day from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3. The hours are generally 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with expanded hours of 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.

Whenever you choose to vote, you will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum question on your ballot — VOTE YES! This will expand our voting rights by allowing all eligible voters to use mail-in ballots, also referred to as absentee ballots.

The question on your ballot will read: “Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?”

By expanding the availability of absentee ballots, we will make it easier for all citizens to exercise their fundamental right to participate in our democracy. Currently, Connecticut voters can only use a mail-in ballot if they meet one of certain limited criteria:

• Absence from your town on Election Day prevents you from appearing at your polling place.

• You are prevented from appearing at your assigned polling place on Election Day because of sickness or physical disability (not necessarily your sickness or disability).

• Active service in the military.

• Religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election.

• Duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own during all of the hours of voting.

Voting YES on the referendum will help our neighbors who may find in-person voting inaccessible due to:

• Working multiple jobs.

• Juggling family obligations.

• Having unreliable transportation.

• Non physical disabilities and more. 

I encourage all eligible voters in Westport to VOTE YES on expanding absentee ballot access to all eligible voters! It’s time to do away with the arbitrary restrictions on absentee ballots.

Vicki Volper, Westport