CT House passes constitutional amendment expanding vote-by-mail but not by enough to get on 2022 ballot

The Connecticut House of Representatives voted Tuesday to amend the state constitution to permanently allow anyone to vote by absentee ballot. The House vote failed to reach a super majority, however, meaning the question will need to be voted on again in 2023.
If the state Senate agrees, voters will still have to approve the change at the polls.
Typically, voters need a special excuse to cast an absentee ballot, such as being out of town on Election Day. During last year's election, absentee voting opened up to everyone because of the pandemic. A record 650,000 people voted by mail last year in Connecticut.
Democrats want to let anyone vote absentee, even after COVID-19.
"I'm trying to figure out how it's a power grab when we're essentially enabling people, regardless of party status, to avail themselves of an option to vote differently," said state Rep. Jason Rojas.
Republicans have been dead-set against this idea, even though state election officials say they had almost no issues last year. Republicans call it a "power grab."
"It has less to do about our voting laws and more to do about the Democrat party putting forth legislation that attempts to tip the scale in their favor," said state Rep. Vin Candelora.
The House defeated two Republican changes to the bill. One would require photo identification at the polls. The other would've required signature verification for absentee ballots.
Democrats say they're not willing to trade away voting access just to win GOP votes.
Democrats did not meet the 75% threshold to get this question on the November 2022 ballot. Lawmakers will have to approve the amendment again in 2023 — delaying a public vote until the November 2024 ballot.
Last week, the state House approved early voting in person by a large enough margin to make the 2022 ballot.