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| Governor Lamont has established a working group of members representing various political affiliations. He has tasked them with exploring options and developing a comprehensive legislative proposal to create a system that enables municipalities and political parties in Connecticut with the ability to use ranked-choice voting in caucuses, conventions, primaries, and certain municipal elections. |
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| (Photo credit: Rock The Vote)
Twenty-nine states use ranked-choice voting in certain primaries and elections, and in recent years its use was implemented broadly and successfully in Maine and Alaska.
In 2023, legislation drafted by bipartisan co-sponsors was introduced in Connecticut that, among other things, would have given municipalities the option of using ranked-choice voting in municipal elections for single-winner offices and would have given political parties the option of using ranked-choice voting in presidential preference primaries.
That bill – Senate Bill 389 – received a public hearing in the Government Administration and Elections Committee, however, the committee did not take a vote to advance the bill before its deadline.
The members of the working group include:
- Co-Chair: State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague)
- Co-Chair: State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)
- Vice Chair: Monte Frank (Attorney at Pullman & Comley, past present of the Connecticut Bar Association, and 2018 candidate for lieutenant governor under the Griebel-Frank for CT Party)
- Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz or designee
- Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas or designee
- State Representative Hilda Santiago (D-Meriden)
- Annalisa Stravato (Republican registrar of voters for the Town of Wilton, executive vice president of the Registrar of Voters Association of Connecticut, and former vice chair of the Connecticut Republican Party)
- Alexander Russell (Director of the UConn Center for Voting Technology Research)
- Dan Rosenthal (Former Democratic first selectman for the Town of Newtown)
- Lindsay Farrell (Senior political strategist for the National Working Families Party)
- Ann Reed (Vice president of advocacy for the League of Women Voters of Connecticut)
- Patricia Spruance (Town clerk for the Town of Windham and president of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association)
- Cheri Quickmire (Executive director of Common Cause in Connecticut)
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| The Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO), along with the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, and ACCESS Health CT, will be hosting its annual "Juneteenth Panel Discussion & Flag Raising Ceremony " at the State Capitol on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 310 and the north lobby of the State Capitol. This event is free and open to the public. State Officials, Legislators, Community Leaders, and Families will be among the guests.
State Representatives Corey Paris and Bobby Gibson are guest speakers. Three students, Tristan Velez, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Meriden; Aria Campbell, Henry James Middle School, Simsbury; and Harry Johnson, Jr., Connecticut River Academy, East Hartford will present their essays on "Why We Celebrate Juneteenth," followed by a panel discussion moderated by CWCSEO Executive Director, Melvette Hill. Panelists include, Nkwa Asonye, Howard K. Hill, Nicole Maddox, Esq, Dr. Tayarisha Batchelor, and Cynthia Griffin.
After the panel, the Caribbean American Dance Company (CADC) will perform. We will then gather outside for the ceremonial raising of the Juneteenth flag above the State Capitol, accompanied by saxophonist Charles Taylor performing the Negro National Anthem.
The day will conclude with a gathering in the Capitol's north lobby, where everyone is invited to enjoy food courtesy of Sunsplash Bar and Grill and Destiny Awaits Restaurant & Catering |
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| I was happy to spend time recently with some of the wonderful seniors of the 140th district. |
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| Our state has always been a leader in the fight for equality and we continue to pave the way today. While there is more progress to be made, PRIDE month is a great time to reflect on our progress. |
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The tragedy at PULSE, a gay nightclub in Orlando, was the second-worst mass shooting by a single shooter in US history, and it was also the second deadliest terrorist attack on US soil since September 11th.
My thoughts are with the 49 lives lost eight years ago today, and the many lives that have never been the same since. |
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As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.
Sincerely,
Travis Simms
State Representative
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