Secretary Thomas Takes Action to Protect Ballot Security with Fire Suppressors in Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes; Early Voting Numbers Exceed 520,000

Press Releases

10/31/2024

Secretary Thomas Takes Action to Protect Ballot Security with Fire Suppressors in Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes; Early Voting Numbers Exceed 520,000

(Hartford, CT) - In a proactive measure to secure Connecticut's elections, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), has announced the distribution of fire suppressor(s) to each town. These suppressors, designed for easy installation, can be easily mounted and installed inside absentee ballot drop boxes to offer an additional layer of protection.

While current assessments indicate this is a localized threat to the incidents in Washington and Oregon, this step was taken as an immediate response to reinforce Connecticut's commitment to ensuring that every vote is safe and secure.

"Safeguarding our elections is a top priority. By staying ahead of potential threats, we can take a strong stand, ensuring a safe and secure process for all. Every voter should have confidence in casting their ballot no matter if it's in person or at a drop box," said Secretary Thomas. "I would like to thank DESPP for being such a supportive partner in keeping Connecticut voters and elections secure. Our strong partnership enabled a quick turnaround in getting these deployed."

In addition to these security measures, Connecticut is experiencing record engagement with over 520,000 voters already participating in early voting. Connecticut residents can continue to vote through this weekend, with early voting hours Saturday, November 2, 2024, and Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Secretary reminds the community that we must remain vigilant against potential threats and remember to use trusted sources for information as this is key to using our civic power responsibly. If voters see something suspicious around polling locations or on social media, they should say something by reporting it to the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) hotline 1-866-733-2463.

For more information about voting in Connecticut, please visit MyVote.CT.gov.

###

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Email
• Print