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Connecticut Finishes 2020 Vote Count Ahead Of Schedule

Conn. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill
Jessica Hill
/
AP
Conn. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill

Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill says the state has nearly finished counting all the votes in the 2020 election ahead of schedule, even after the state General Assembly gave them 96 extra hours to finish counting.

Merrill credits the federal CARES Act that gave $5 million to help cover COVID-19 related expenses at the polls.

"The story of the election here in Connecticut is that every vote was counted. We did it accurately, we did it as slowly as we needed to, we had a record number of people coming to vote and registering to vote," Merrill said.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut joined Merrill on Friday to push state lawmakers to make changes to the state Constitution that allow for universal absentee ballots. They say this election where Connecticut voters were allowed to vote absentee due to the pandemic is proof that universal ballots work.

Blumenthal also rejected false statements made by President Trump that allege voter fraud from absentee ballots.