HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Over 100 Connecticut voters and advocates are testifying Monday in support of no-excuse absentee and early voting.

We saw a surge in voting by mail in last summer’s primary and last fall’s general presidential election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These communities will be pushing State lawmakers to pass two state constitutional amendments that would allow for both in our state.

Secretary of State Denise Merrill was among those testifying in support of amending our state constitution to make voting easier for Connecticut residents. Forty-three other states have early voting in place.

She said, “Early voting and expanded access to absentee ballots without an excuse are common sense voter-centric reform that have wide support across the country across all demographic groups and political parties.”

State Sen. Rob Sampson (R) added, “There are definitely people out there who are concerned about the integrity of our election process when it comes to making sure the elections themselves are monitored and that the machines are monitored properly and that no funny business going on.”

Connecticut switched to early voting only for 2020 due to the pandemic, but not everyone is on board.

To put the amendments on the ballot to all voters in the 2022 election, it first needs to pass with a 75 percent Super Majority in the general assembly.

79 percent of voters are in favor of early voting. 73 percent in favor of absentee voting.