Connecticut becomes one of the last states to allow early voting after years of debate

STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) — For the first time, Connecticut has allowed people to cast ballots early, in person, ahead of an election, years after almost every other state in the country offered voters that option.

Saturday marks the final day of early voting before Tuesday’s presidential primary and turnout so far has been light. After the first three days of voting — there was no early voting on Friday because of the Good Friday holiday — 13,476 voters out of more than 1.2 million registered Democrats and Republicans had cast their ballots in person.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump already have secured the required delegates to be considered their parties’ presumptive nominees, so the stakes are not high. Despite the relatively small turnout as a result, state officials said they were pleased, noting there had been no major issues with the new system.

“We asked voters to help us test the system and make their voices heard, and voters of Connecticut answered the call,” Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas said in a statement.

Now only four states — Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi and New Hampshire — do not allow early, in-person voting, although they may offer options for eligible absentee voters. Delaware previously allowed early voting, but a state court struck it down as unconstitutional in a Feb. 23 ruling.

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