Connecticut wrapped up its first-ever cycle of in-person early voting on Saturday, after becoming one of the last states to allow the practice.
Only Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi, and New Hampshire do not allow early, in-person voting. However, they may have other options for eligible absentee voters.
Delaware had allowed early voting but a state court struck it down as unconstitutional in February.
Saturday marked the final day of early voting in Connecticut before the upcoming presidential primary and, according to The Associated Press, early signs pointed to light turnout.
There was no early voting on Friday due to Good Friday, but 13,476 votes out of 1.2 million registered voters were cast in person.
Both the respective Republican and Democratic nominees for president, former President Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden, have already secured the necessary delegates to be considered the presumptive nominees.
However, despite the relatively low turnout, Connecticut officials were pleased and noted there were no major issues with the system.
"We asked voters to help us test the system and make their voices heard, and voters of Connecticut answered the call," Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas said in a statement.
For years, advocates for early, in-person voting tried to amend the state constitution, which dictated the time, place, and manner of elections and essentially required voters to cast ballots at their local polling state on Election Day in general or primaries, unless they met the state's strict qualifications for absentee ballots.
In 2014, Connecticut came close to amending its constitution to grant the General Assembly the authority to eliminate restrictions on early voting and expanding absentee ballot eligibility.
But that ballot question, which advocates acknowledged was poorly worded and likely confused voters, was rejected. Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2022.
