Absentee Ballots Now Available for the Permanently Disabled in Durham

The following notice came from Kim Garvis, town clerk in Durham.

Disabled Durham voters may acquire Permanent Absentee Ballot Status by applying to the Durham Town Clerk’s office, P. O. Box 428, Durham, CT 06422.

Public Act No. 12-57 An Act Concerning Permanent Absentee Ballot Status For The Permanently Disabled (effective January 1, 2013) enables electors with permanent disabilities to qualify for permanent absentee ballot status.   Once you’ve obtained this status, you will automatically receive absentee ballots for elections, referenda, and primaries (if applicable) until   you:

1.     are removed from the permanent absentee ballot list;

2.     are removed from the town's official registry list, or

3.     request to no longer receive such permanent absentee ballot status. 

ELIGIBILITY and PROCEDURE

To be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status:

1.     File an absentee ballot application, and

2.     A doctor's certificate/note stating that you have a permanent disability and you are unable to appear in person at the polling place.  (There is no official form for the doctor.  He/she may type a statement on his/her letterhead indicating that you are unable to appear in person at the polls to vote due to your disability).

3.     Once an absentee ballot application and a doctor’s note/certificate are received from you, your name will be forwarded to the Registrars of Voters.

Annual Notice to Determine Eligibility

The registrars of voters will send you an annual written notice in January of each year to determine if you continue to reside at the address on your permanent absentee ballot application.

Please contact me, or my assistant, Alicia, at (860) 349-3453 if you have any questions about the process to obtain Permanent Absentee Ballot Status.