The League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut would like to emphasize six important points as we approach Election Day on Nov. 5.

First: Please know that if you will be 18 years old on or before Election Day, you are eligible to register to vote in your town. Second: If you are registered, please confirm your information; if you’ve moved or changed your name since last voting, you must update your registration at Connecticut’s Voter Registration at this link. Third: Connecticut’s first year offering early voting began Monday, Oct. 21. The league advocated for changing state election laws from voting only one day to more than two weeks. Fourth: Voting earlier presents a new issue of finding people to staff polling stations during this extended voting time. Students aged 16 or 17, along with registered voters can work at the polls and get paid. Pay for a 15-hour day ranges from $180 to $270 depending on the town. Poll worker forms can be found here. Fifth: The league also advocated to get on this year’s ballot a question asking whether Connecticut should open Absentee Voting to all eligible voters, rather than limiting it to those with excuses such as work or travel. Called no-excuse Absentee Voting, the measure would enable more voters to cast their ballots in elections beyond 2024. Sixth: Put your voting power to work by participating in democracy and casting your vote at the polls.

Editor’s note: This version corrects a link.

Rosanne Smyle

Stonington

Editor’s note: The writer is a member of the League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut.