Sylvia Peterson (D) and Donald F. Tapper (R),  Registrars of Voters in Old Lyme, have announced that, effective Jan. 1, 2013, electors with permanent disabilities became eligible for permanent absentee ballot status.

This status enables the elector to receive an absentee ballot for each election, primary, and referendum in the municipality in which they are eligible to vote.  Prior permanent status enabled the voter to receive an absentee ballot by application only.

To be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status, an elector must file with the Town Clerk an absentee ballot application along with a doctor’s certificate stating they have a permanent disability and are unable to appear in person at their polling place.

The law does not prescribe an official form to be used.  As such, a note from the elector’s doctor (presumably on letterhead) indicating a disability and the statement that they are unable to appear in person at the polls will satisfy this requirements.

Absentee ballot applications are available through the Town Clerk and can be downloaded from the Town of Old Lyme (www.oldlyme-ct.gov) or the Secretary of State’s website.

Once an absentee ballot application and doctor’s certificate are received by the Town Clerk, the Town Clerk will send out absentee ballots to the eligible elector throughout the year for each event for which they would be eligible to vote.

The Registrars of Voters will conduct an annual review each January to determine the continuing eligibility of Permanent Absentee Ballot Status.

If you have questions about Permanent Absentee Balloting, contact either the Town Clerk or Registrars of Voters at 860.434.1605.