I am writing to oppose the November referendum proposing a “No Excuse Absentee Ballot” system. I strongly urge you to join me in voting against HRJ 1, as it poses severe risks to fairness and election integrity. Absentee voting has long been susceptible to fraud, particularly in Connecticut. Over 20 cases of voter fraud, primarily involving absentee ballots, have been tied to political operatives and candidates —most notably Democrats. Cases like those of Bridgeport’s Councilman Michael DeFillipo and Stamford’s Democratic Party Chair John Mallozzi highlight a dangerous trend of absentee ballot manipulation. Dominic Rapini Credit: Mark Mirko / CT Public Recently, Wanda Jeter, Vice Chair of the Bridgeport Democratic Party, was indicted for felony charges related to voter fraud. Absentee voting should not be a tool for exploitation; these examples show how vulnerable this system is. Even more troubling is how such cases often come to light only through whistleblowers or video evidence. Election integrity is the foundation of fairness. Expanding mail-in voting undermines the fundamental democratic principle of “one person, one vote.” Opening up the system without proper safeguards jeopardizes trust in the electoral process. Historically, absentee voting has been riddled with fraud since its inception, including attempts by New York State Democrats to manipulate over 400 Union soldiers’ votes during the Civil War. Expanding absentee voting will only increase the opportunities for similar abuses. In-person voting is the most secure method as it eliminates the risks of coercion, errors, or ballots getting lost in the mail. Every vote is handled correctly and counted with in-person voting. Despite claims that expanding absentee voting would increase voter turnout, the data does not support this. Connecticut already offers 14 days of early voting and absentee options for those needing it. Further expansion only adds marginal benefits while dramatically increasing risks to election security. Instead of expanding absentee voting, we should concentrate on reforms that protect its integrity. Candidates and political operatives should be prohibited entirely from handling absentee ballots. After providing proper identification, voters should be able to request absentee ballots directly from city clerks, either online or in person. No politician should ever have access to your ballot. These reforms are necessary to ensure that absentee ballots remain secure and that election fairness is maintained. Ultimately, protecting the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable. Expanding absentee voting weakens that integrity with little to no gain. Let’s demand fairness for all voters and uphold the value of secure, honest elections. Vote “No” on HRJ 1, and “Yes” for secure elections that protect citizens’ right to vote safely and fairly. Dominic Rapini was a 2022 Candidate for Secretary of the State.