Thirty-seven towns will start processing absentee ballots Friday, according to the Secretary of the State's office. A bill passed earlier this month allows election officials to open the outer envelope ahead of election day. Eighteen towns signed up for that by the original deadline.
Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order Thursday allowing towns that missed the deadline to also start processing absentee ballots early. Cities including Bloomfield, Danbury, Greenwich and Norwalk can start opening those envelopes Friday at 5pm and throughout the weekend. All towns had the option of starting early.
The head start will save officials some time on election day. Officials can also make an effort to contact those who left the inner envelope unsigned. Ballots without a signature on that envelope can be rejected. No votes will be counted until election day and ballots will remain secured in an inner envelope until Tuesday.
