Connecticut has made history by introducing early, in-person voting for the first time, joining the majority of states across the nation that have long provided this option to voters ahead of elections.
Saturday signifies the last opportunity for early voting ahead of Tuesday’s presidential primary, and turnout has been relatively low thus far.
Following the initial three days of voting (with Friday excluded due to the Good Friday holiday), a total of 13,476 voters have participated in-person out of the over 1.2 million registered Democrats and Republicans.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have both secured the necessary delegates to be deemed the presumptive nominees of their respective parties, hence the stakes are low.
Despite the modest turnout, state officials expressed satisfaction, highlighting the absence of significant issues with the new voting 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.
Currently, only four states—Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi, and New Hampshire—do not permit early, in-person voting, although they may provide alternatives for eligible absentee voters.
Delaware had previously allowed early voting, but a state court