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09/23/2020 08:00 AM

Change Was Effected


I’m writing this letter to support the re-election of Christine Palm as State Representative for the 36th District in the Connecticut General Assembly, representing Haddam, Chester, Deep River, and Essex.

In the two years she has represented the residents of her district, she has worked tirelessly for the benefit of her constituents. Christine has helped scores of residents by making and fielding calls to assist them in navigating state government. This has been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people have many questions about unemployment compensation and state health insurance programs, to name a few.

In the General Assembly, she has focused on the issues on which she campaigned, namely advocating for a clean environment, strengthening our public schools, improving access to quality heath care, and voting rights. On the voting rights issue, she has played a remarkable leadership role for a first term representative. With the arrival of COVID-19, there were immediate concerns about whether it would be possible for residents to vote safely in person. The existing Connecticut Statute did not anticipate that an epidemic could effect voting, so an epidemic health emergency was not one of the permissible reasons to request an absentee ballot.

Christine, along with State Representative Matthew Blumenthal, wrote a letter to all members of the Connecticut General Assembly calling for a special session of the legislature to expand access to absentee ballots by changing the Connecticut Statute. This effort was difficult, but a special session was called and with the help of Safe Vote CT, the change was effected. This shows her ability to form alliances and effect significant positive change for all Connecticut residents.

Christine is an able, dedicated public servant and deserves re-election.

Mark Pierce

Essex