Voter Registration Services
52 U.S.C. § 20501(a)-(b) & 20506(a)(1)-(2)(A)-(B)
The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 designated as voter registration agencies all State agencies providing:
- public assistance,
- State-funded programs providing services to disabled individuals, and
- other state designated offices.
The goal of NVRA is to increase the number of eligible voters and increasing voter participation in elections.
DSS applicants and recipients can register to vote in Connecticut by completing a voter registration application:
- online at: http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Registration-Information, or
- mail-in card.
Voter Registration Requirements
52 U.S.C. § 10101(a)(1) & 10701
To register to vote, an individual must:
- be a U.S. citizen,
- be at least 17-years old, and will turn 18 on or before election day,
- completed confinement and parole if convicted of a felony, and
- be a resident of Connecticut.
Agency Requirements
52 U.S.C. § 20506(a)(4)(A)(ii)-(iii) and (5) and (6)(A)(i)-(ii) and (C)
Provide the ED-671A/S or W-614/S, Mail-In Voter Registration Application Card, and ED-682/S, Declination Form, at:
- application,
- renewal,
- name change, and
- when a change of address is reported.
Provide the same assistance to complete voter registration forms as you provide for other forms. When providing assistance, do not:
- Cause an individual to believe their decision to register or not will affect their eligibility for benefits.
- Discourage an individual from registering.
- Display any political preference or party allegiance.
- Try to influence the individual’s political preference or party registration.
Completed voter registration applications received by DSS are forwarded to the appropriate town hall, within 10 days of receipt, by the Voter Registration Coordinator (VRC).
Forms
Mail-In Voter Registration Application Card
52 U.S.C. § 20505(a)-(b) & 20506(a)(6)(A)(i)-(ii) & 20508(a)(2)
Two mail-in versions of the voter registration application are available:
- The ED-671/S is kept in stock at all field offices. The form is provided by the Office of the Secretary of State and ordered through the Economic Security Unit.
- The W-614/S is mailed by the DSS mail room with all applications and renewal applications.
DSS Receipt of Voter Registration Application
CT Process
A W-619/S, Receipt of Application, is sent to the individual when a completed voter registration application is received by DSS.
Declination Form
52 U.S.C. § 20506(a)(6)(B)(i) and (7)
The ED-682/S, Declination Form, identifies whether or not the individual is registered to vote, and if they wish to register to vote. The ED-682/S is included in applications and renewal applications.
ED-682/S forms are kept for 3 years by the DSS office that received the form.
Note: Information related to declining to register to vote is used only for voter registration purposes, and doesn’t affect benefit eligibility.
Mail-In Process
DSS Scanning Center
CT Process
The DSS Scanning Center forwards all completed voter registration applications to the Economic Security Unit. The Economic Security Unit sends:
- the voter registration application to the appropriate town hall, and
- a W-619/S to the individual who submitted the voter registration application.
DSS Regional Offices
CT Process
Send completed voter registration applications received at the regional office to the VRC. The VRC sends:
- the voter registration application to the appropriate town hall, and
- a W-619/S to the individual who submitted the voter registration application.
Service Center Process
CT Process
Service Center staff completing an application during an interview, or recording a change of address, or change of name, must complete the following actions:
- Ask the individual if they would like to register to vote.
- Encourage the individual to register online using the Secretary of State’s web site at: http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Registration-Information.
- Ensure the ED-682/S page is completed and make a copy of the page.
- Back scan the full application/renewal application, including the ED-682/S.
- Give the tear off portion of the ED-682/S to the individual.
- Send a copy of the ED-682/S to the VRC.
- Enter case notes for your actions.
If the individual requests to register to vote in the office, complete the following actions:
- Offer assistance to complete the voter registration application.
- Give the individual a W-619/S, and the tear off portion of the ED-682/S.
- Send the completed voter registration application and the ED-682/S to the VRC. The VRC sends:
- completed voter registration application to the appropriate town hall within 10 days of receipt, and
- retains the ED-682/S.
- Enter case notes for your actions.
The individual may complete the voter registration away from the office. Enter case notes that the individual chose to complete the application away from the office. Advise the individual they can complete the voter registration application:
- Online at http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Registration-Information, or
- complete the mail-in voter registration application and:
- return to the DSS office, or
- send to their local town hall.
Individual Refuses to Complete the ED-682/S
CT Process
Complete the following actions if the individual refuses to complete the form:
- Note in the “For DSS Worker’s Use Only” section.
- your name,
- worker number, and
- date.
- Tear off the bottom portion of the ED-682/S and give it to the individual.
- Send a copy of the ED-682/S to the VRC.
- Enter case notes for your actions.
Processing and Benefit Center Process
CT Process
Staff in the Processing and Benefit Centers will:
- Answer questions from individuals about voter registration.
- Mail a voter registration application:
- when requested by phone, or
- when the ED-682/S indicates a request to register to vote.
- Send a copy of the ED-682/S to the field office VRC.
- Enter case notes for their actions.
Online Applications and Renewals Process
CT Process
Individuals applying for DSS services online are provided a direct link to the Secretary of State’s website to register to vote: http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Registration-Information.
Online Reporting Change of Address or Name Change Process
CT Process
Locally print a W-1348, Proofs We Need, and enter one of the following statements:
- “You may apply to register to vote online at: http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Registration-Information, or by returning the enclosed form.”
- “Usted puede inscribirse para votar en linea a través del enlace http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Registration-Information, o devolviendo el formulario adjunto.”
Send the individual the W-1348 and an ED-682/S.
Homeless Individuals Process
CT Process
Individuals who are homeless should use the mailing address of a friend or relative where they can receive mail, or if approved, the DSS office address.
Advise the individual that the Secretary of State offers a Homeless Voter fact sheet under “Important Resources for Voters” at: http://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Voter-Fact-Sheet.
Last Update
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Effective Date: