Democratic leaders stand up to protect access to the ballot
The Trump administration’s new restrictions on mail voting are not an isolated action. They are the latest salvo in a brash campaign to skew election results toward his party by keeping Americans from exercising their voting rights — from demanding access to state voter data, to imposing new citizenship-verification requirements, to pressuring Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts.
Now the administration is targeting voting by mail.
Connecticut pushes back
“The Constitution plainly forbids the president from commandeering elections to manipulate and micromanage how we vote,” said Conn. Attorney General (AG) William Tong.
Gov. Ned Lamont was equally direct: “The Postal Service was built to deliver mail, not gatekeep the ballot box, and Connecticut won’t stand for it.”
The AG recently announced that Connecticut has joined a coalition of states challenging in federal court the Postal Service’s efforts to curtail mail-in voting.
This week a whistleblower warned that the Postal Service is rushing to build a new digital system for mail ballots in defiance of a court order.
Constitution guarantees local control
The Constitution couldn’t be clearer that the states exercise “local control” over election administration. Article I provides that the “Times, Places and Manner” of congressional elections are prescribed by the states, while Congress may alter those rules, such as when they passed the Voting Rights Act. But the Constitution gives the President no authority to run elections or unilaterally dictate state voting procedures.
Nevertheless, Trump’s March executive order directed the U.S. Postal Service to impose unprecedented requirements on mail voting. The rule would deny any services for election mail to states that do not turn over voter data to Trump’s administration.
For Connecticut, the fight is about more than a postal service rule. It is about protecting the state’s authority to administer its elections — and protecting the voting rights Connecticut residents have repeatedly chosen to expand.
Expanding voter access
Connecticut has expanded voting access in recent years. The state enacted the Connecticut Voting Rights Act, while voters approved early voting in 2022 and no-excuse absentee voting in 2024. This year, lawmakers implemented no-excuse absentee voting and strengthened protections for election workers and ballot drop boxes.
Democrats Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno, a co-sponsor, backed the 2026 voting bill, while former Rep. Rachel Khanna also supported expanded voting access. Republican Sen. Ryan Fazio and Rep. Tina Courpas voted against the final bill implementing no-excuse absentee voting, despite 58% of voters approving it in 2024.
Greenwich leaders speak out
“I fully support the initiatives of our governor and attorney general to ensure that our state maintains control over our elections and runs them safely and securely,” Arzeno said.
“Connecticut voters should decide who represents them — and our state should decide how we run our elections,” said 36th Senate District candidate Jill Oberlander. “Washington should not be changing the rules just weeks before an election or creating unnecessary confusion.”
Amiel Goldberg, Democratic candidate for the 149th House District, added: “When politicians try to change the rules to make voting harder, it’s often because they fear the judgment of voters.”
On hold – for now
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Postal Service rule, saying it may exceed the agency’s legal authority and could cause confusion by changing election rules less than 70 days before the election. The whistleblower said the new system could prevent millions of eligible voters from receiving or casting their ballots.The administration is appealing.
For voting information, visit the Connecticut Secretary of the State or Greenwich Town Clerk. The absentee-ballot portal opens Sept. 19; ballots begin being issued Oct. 2.
Greenwich Democrats’ HQ is officially open!
Election Day is coming up fast, and our candidates are working hard every day to reach voters. But, we need your help to bring home the wins in this critical election.
Stop by Greenwich Democrats campaign headquarters at 200 Pemberwick Rd., inside the VentureX workspace. Beginning Sept. 2, drop-in hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with weekend hours coming soon. Take the elevator to the second floor, Room 229. Just sign in at the floor reception before heading down the hall.
Come by for a coffee and jump right in. Make calls, pick up a turf to knock doors, request a lawn sign, or help in other ways. No experience necessary — we’ll train you, get you started, and be there to help.
Whether you have 30 minutes or a few hours, every conversation with a voter makes a difference. There’s plenty of parking in front of the building and behind it, with additional access from Comly Avenue.
Come say hello, meet fellow Democrats, and help us win on Nov. 3. We can’t do this without you.
Questions? Reach out to Gayle DePoli or call 475-897-8690.
What we’re reading
At a small business event held at a Connecticut brewery, Governor Ned Lamont and challenger Ryan Fazio discussed the rising costs of consumer goods. While Fazio had little to say about the latest round of tariffs, Lamont warned, “If you want to institute a trade war with Canada, next up will probably be tariffs on hydroelectric power and natural gas. What does that do to electricity prices? A 50% tariff on aluminum?” Read the article here.
Action Calendar
September 8. Together.
Volunteers wanted, no eperience needed. Join us in our new headquarters to help elect our Democratic team. Click here to RSVP. and here for more details. We meet the same time and the same place each Tuesday: 4–7 p.m. at Campaign Headquarters, Venture X, 200 Pemberwick Road, 2nd Floor.
September 11. Remember.
Gather for 25th Anniversary Remembrance ceremonies honoring the victims of that fateful day when Greenwich lost 32 of its own:
- 8:30-10:30 a.m., Cos Cob Park, 22 Sound Shore Drive
- 6:30 p.m., Glenville Firehouse, 266 Glenville Road
September 11. Coffee with Khanna.
September 13. Campaign kickoff picnic.
For an afternoon of food, conversation, and community, meet local, state and federal leaders, connect with neighbors, and help us build critical momentum for the upcoming election. Click here to sign up and purchase tickets. 12 noon–3 p.m., Clambake Area, Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich.
September 23. Learn.
Join a conversation with Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas to learn the latest on voting in Connecticut 4-5 p.m., Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room.
September 23. Join us.
Greenwich Democrats meetings are open to all Democrats in town. Join us at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room at Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room, 101 Field Point Road.
| Volume 5, Number 10 • September 4, 2026 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |