Civic Journey
Your Civic
Journey
Starts Here.
From registering to vote to casting your ballot, we’ll walk you through what you need to know to make your voice heard.
Civic Engagement Doesn’t Start on Election Day
Being an active member of the Hartford community is a multi-step process.Learn how to register to vote, make a voting plan, and discover what's on your ballot.
Register to Vote
Registering to vote is the first step to making your voice heard. It’s free, and only takes a few minutes to ensure you’re signed up and ready for Election Day.
Online
In Person
Online
The fastest, easiest, and most popular way to register. Visit the Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the States’ website and complete the process online in just a few minutes.
Register Online
New U.S. Citizen
No Permanent Address
After a Conviction
College Student
Just Moved
Turning 18?
Need a Different Path?
Every voter is different. Here's what to know if one of these situations affects your registration process.
How Party Registration Works
Your voter registration form asks if you want to join a political party. The Democratic and Republican parties are the two major parties, but smaller third parties, like the Working Families and Libertarian parties, also take part in elections.
In Connecticut, you must belong to a party to vote in that party’s primary. Not ready to choose? That’s okay. You can register as unaffiliated, and still vote in the general election.
Just remember: Independent is a political party, while unaffiliated means you have not joined one.
Understand Your Options
FAQs
Can I register the same day?
How do I check if I am already registered?
Do I have to register for every election?
Make Your Voting Plan
You've registered! Now let's make a plan for Election Day. A few choices now can help you feel ready when it’s time to cast your ballot.
Mark Your Calendar
Sept. 16, 2026
Absentee ballot online portal opens
Students who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot can begin the process.
Oct. 2nd, 2026
Absentee ballots begin being issued.
Sept. 16, 2026
Regular voter registration deadline
Deadline for registering to vote through online or mail-in registration. Voters are still able to register in person during early voting or on election day through same day registration.
Oct. 19th - Nov 1st, 2026
Early Voting
Regular hours are 10 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours of 8 AM to 8 PM on Oct. 27th and Oct. 29th. Early voting locations also provide Same-Day Registration.
Nov. 2nd, 2026
Last weekday before Election Day
There is a limited registration session from 9 AM to 5 PM for people who became eligible after Oct. 16th. This is also the deadline to request an absentee ballot.
Nov. 3rd, 2026
Election Day
Polls are open from 6 AM to 8 PM. Anyone in line by 8 PM can vote. Same-Day Registration is available for eligible voters who are not already registered.
Learn What Matters to You
Before you vote, learn what’s on your ballot.
You’ve learned how to vote. Now it’s time to learn who and what you’ll be voting for. Preview your ballot, research each choice, and think about the issues that matter to you and your community.
Research with Care
Not everything you see is accurate. Political bias and misinformation frequently shapes what we share online and how we interpret it. When researching, use more than one trusted source, check who created the information, and look for evidence that supports its claims.Notice the difference between facts and opinions. It is natural to trust information that matches what you already believe, so stay curious and be open to new ideas.
What's on Your Ballot?
Your ballot may include candidates for local, state, or federal office, along with additional questions for voters to decide. Previewing it ahead of time gives you a chance to research each choice and know what to expect before you vote.
Meet the Candidates
Ballot Questions
Ballot Preview
Discover what matters to you
Elections directly impact you and your community. Every voter has different experiences, priorities, and concerns. Learn the facts, listen to different views, and make time to talk with people you trust to discover what matters most to you.
Note: Your views and what matters to you can change over time—and that’s okay!
You’re Ready.
Feel confident when you cast your ballot on Election Day.
You’ve checked your registration, made a voting plan, and learned what’s on your ballot. All that’s left is to make your voice heard!
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