by John McNamara – NBpoliticus.com
State Representative Matt Blumenthal on “No Excuse” Absentee Voting: “We Have Finally Caught Up with the Rest of Nation”
State Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), Co-Chair of the Government Administration and Elections (GAE), says Connecticut’s newly adopted election law allowing “no excuse” absentee voting and other provisions will promote more participation in local, state and federal elections and will protect elections threatened by the Trump Administration.
Blumenthal, a Stamford legislator, discussed the legislation signed into law by Governor Lamont at the May 21 New Britain Democratic Town Committee meeting as city Democrats unanimously endorsed candidates for state representative including Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-24), Rep. Iris Sanchez (D-25) and Rep. David DeFronzo (D-26).
Blumenthal is a US Marine Corps veteran (Afghanistan) and an attorney at Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, P.C. He specializes in representing those who have been injured by negligence, misconduct, and deprivations of their civil rights
The major components of the “Absentee Voting for All” and other election reforms law pave the way for any registered voter to obtain an absentee ballot as soon as ballots become available. Previously absentee voting was limited to individuals who would be out of town on election day, served in the military, had an illness or worked at the polls.
“We have finally caught up with the rest of the nation,” said Blumenthal, alluding to CT’s constitutional obstacles that prevented early voting and limited absentee voting. A 2022 constitutional amendment was approved by referendum to allow a two-week early voting period starting in 2023. Connecticut had been one of only four states without early voting.
Absentee voting “has had a long history in the United States tracing back to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636. But Trump and his Republicans now think we shouldn’t be able to do it. We obviously disagree. The Governor has signed into law a bill providing for absentee voting for every eligible voter and creating new processes to make the process smoother, Blumenthal told the DTC. “We are also leading the nation in taking strong measures to protect our elections against anyone including the Trump Administration. This bill we passed also includes measures to bar ICE, federal agents and troops from within 250 feet of polling locations and elections sites enforced by stiff criminal penalties.”
The legislation asserts state rights by allowing the Attorney General to intervene in matters relating to subpoenas, warrants, other requests and alleged interference at elections
Other provisions improve accessibility for disabled individuals, provide for “electronic ballot delivery for certain absentee voters”, strengthen state enforcement of election law related regulations “not just violations of elections-related statutes.”
Common Council Increases Fines for Blight, Code Violations in Accord with State Law
The Common Council has approved an increase in fines from $99 to $150 per day for various health, safety and housing code violations under the city ordinances. Approval came on a vote of nine to five at the May 13th meeting following a review of the changes by the Administration, Finance, Law and Public Services Committee.
The increased penalties will apply to “animal, health, blight and housing violations” in the codes that are primarily enforced by the health, building and public works departments. They also cover infractions such as removal of dog feces and failure to take trash containers off the street within 24 hours after collection. Alderpersons Robert Smedley (R-4) and Nathan Simpson (D-1) questioned a provision on trash collections that cited violations “in excess of three incidents in a 12-month period” can lead to confiscation of the city-issued containers. At the discretion of the Public Works Director containers may be removed from owners until fines have been paid. Health Director Caleb Cowles indicated enforcement would be rare and discretionary. The penalty is intended to curb flagrant violators.
Any penalties imposed may be appealed to the appropriate commission or through the courts under the ordinance that is being updated based on state law (7-142) that addresses municipal powers. No penalties are imposed during the appeals process. The Common Council “may prescribe fines and penalties for the violation of any ordinance and otherwise provide for the enforcement and collection of the same” as long as penalties are allowable under state law and the charter.
Health Director Cowles reported that from 2014 to 2025 the city issued fines of $1,067,752 and by last year had collected $600,023 through ticketing and the lien process for violators who do not pay fines in a timely manner. Ticketed violations are considered a “debt” owed to the city and the collections increase over time from the date of the violations as cases are resolved.
Educational Excellence: Public Schools’ Faculty, Staff Recognized at Annual Awards Ceremony
New Britain Schools recognized 35 teachers and paraeducators at a May 13th “Excellence in Education” Awards Ceremony held at New Britain High School as the 2025-2026 school year nears an end. Twenty-nine school personnel also received recognition for “Torch” and “Above and Beyond” awards and 39 retirees were honored
Teacher of the Year honors went to Amanda Andrews of Smalley Elementary School, a bilingual educator pursuing her master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Selected as Paraeducator of the Year was Jeanette Kennerly of Vance Elementary School who was praised for building “strong relationships with students, especially those with more complex needs, creating an environment of trust, safety and growth.”
The ceremony featured a presentation on an “Educators Rising” program at the high school introduced by NBHS Junior Olivia Escobales. “The EdRising program helps prepare future educators who aspire to follow in the footsteps of many of the remarkable individuals being honored this evening,” stated Dr. Nicole Sanders, Director of Talent and Equity and a member of the Excellence in Education Committee.
A complete list of nominees and honorees is available at the New Britain Schools’ Excellence in Education page.
John McNamara is an Alderman from Ward 4 and the Common Council Majority Leader. NB Politicus’ posts are regularly published in the New Britain Progressive, a free to read, volunteer supported online newspaper.
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