February 2026 Updates: Important Voting and Election Bills in Hartford; Ward Co-Chair Primaries This Week; City Budget Workshops and Public Hearings
Below is some useful (hopefully) information related to election- and voting-related bills that will be considered in a public hearing this week by the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) committee in Hartford, information on primary elections for ward co-chair coming up this Tuesday, March 3 in some parts of New Haven, and the schedule of city budget workshops and public hearings between now and May 14. We hope you will share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, and community networks as appropriate.
* Public Hearing on Important Election & Voting Bills This Week in Hartford
This Wednesday, March 4 at 10:30am the Government Administration & Elections Committee of the CT General Assembly will hold a public hearing on some significant election bills, including such important subjects as youth voter registration and ranked choice voting. We urge you to make your voice heard on these critical pieces of legislation, and more information is provided below. Please note that we are still waiting to see legislation for the implementation of no-excuse or universal eligibility absentee voting (you may recall this was authorized by voters in November 2024, but no action was taken by the legislature in 2025 to actually implement it), and we will notify you when there is a hearing on that legislation, which is a top priority for us and other voting advocates.
HJ 32 - Resolution Concerning Pre-Registration of 16- and 17-Year-Olds to VoteThis joint resolution would initiate the process of adopting a constitutional amendment to permit “pre-registration” of 16- and 17-year olds so that when they apply for their driver’s license at age 16-17 they would automatically be entered into a centralized voter registration database (while remaining ineligible to vote until turning 18), similar to what is offered to other voters when they receive services at the DMV. In the past we have urged the GAE to approve this pro-voting and pro-youth reform, which is currently offered in more than 15 states, and we are doing so again this year.
SB 386 - An Act Concerning the Use of Ranked Choice Voting in Party Caucuses, Conventions, and Primaries, Including Presidential Preference Primaries and in Certain Municipal Elections
We think this is a pro-voter reform that does not mandate ranked choice voting (except for the presidentiial preference primary) but permits its use in a variety of contexts, including a ‘local option’ that would allow municipalities like New Haven to experiment with ranked choice voting for certain elections if (and only if) this change was authorized by the Board of Alders.
Register to speak or submit written testimony on these bills here. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or if you would like help with some talking points.
* City Budget Workshops and Public Hearings
The municipal budgeting process has begun! See below for the schedule of public hearings and workshops on the FY 2026-27 municipal budget, beginning with a budget overview workshop on March 9. The three public hearings are scheduled for March 19, March 31, and April 29. For the workshops, the public is encouraged to attend but there is no public testimony.
Learn more here about the mayor’s proposed budget. Make sure your voice is heard on the city’s fiscal priorities!
Read more at our website here.
* Ward Co-Chair Primary Elections in Wards 3 & 29
Registered Democrats in Ward 3 and Ward 29 should be aware that there is a contested primary election for ward co-chair positions taking place on Tuesday, March 3. Read more about those races here and here.
Tool for finding your ward number.
Read more about the ward co-chair primary at our website here.
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Thanks for your ongoing support, and please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions and concerns.
Aaron Goode
New Haven Votes Coalition
Newhavenvotes.org
Facebook.com/NewHavenVotesCoalition