Letters to the Editor - December 4, 2025

No-excuse absentee could solve election law flaw

Your article in the Nov. 25 edition “Litchfield County Registrars Call for Changes to Early Voting” highlights a flaw with Connecticut’s current voting laws—one that the state legislature could easily fix. As the article reports, registrars are justly complaining about the cost of staffing the polls for 14 days, a requirement mandated by laws passed in 2024. Those laws were enacted with the noble goal of giving voters better access to the ballot box but many of Connecticut’s municipalities are small, and the cost of keeping polls open for many days ahead of Election Day is onerous for them.

The problem could be easily remedied if the legislature would pass legislation enabling no-excuse absentee ballots—a practice allowed by the vast majority of states, red and blue alike. In effect, no-excuse absentee voting is “early voting from home,” allowing every voter to cast a ballot from the convenience of home without having to present an excuse such as being out of town or physically unable to get to the polls in person. No-excuse absentee voting is simply absentee voting for everyone—a benefit for all voters, especially working people, seniors, anyone with family care responsibilities, and those who are disabled. It has been shown to increase turnout, particularly among younger voters and other groups that often suffer from low participation. When implemented with best practices honed by other states over many election cycles, it is also safe and secure.

You might be thinking that Connecticut passed a no-excuse absentee ballot law last year. Not quite. Last year, voters approved a ballot initiative amending the state constitution to permit the legislature to pass laws enabling no-excuse absentee ballots. Unfortunately, the legislature failed in its session earlier this year to enact any such legislation. Legislators will return to Hartford for the new session in February. Let’s urge our state representatives to finish the job.

Lee Greenhouse

Salisbury

‘Thank you’ from The Corner Food Pantry

The Corner Food Pantry Board wishes to express a hearty thank you to the community for its outstanding support these past couple of weeks.

Alec Linden's timely article in the Nov. 6 issue of The Lakeville Journal entitled, Food Banks Brace for Surge Despite Partial SNAP Funding helped promote awareness of the need.

During our annual Thanksgiving distribution over the Nov. 21-22 weekend, the pantry served a record 235 families/1,107 individuals, representing an increase of 20% from last year.

The support of our wonderful donors, volunteers, local farms and LaBonne’s Markets help make it possible to provide nutritious food to our neighbors in need.

Amanda Halle

Co-President

The Corner Pantry Board of Directors

Lakeville