Our 2026 Legislative Session Policy Agenda

The 2026 Connecticut legislative session begins February 4, and the stakes could not be higher.

Across the country, we are witnessing an aggressive effort to roll back civil rights, undermine democratic institutions, and expand unchecked government power. Federal overreach is no longer hypothetical. It is here, and it is testing whether states like Connecticut will use their authority to protect our residents.

At the ACLU of Connecticut, we’ve long known that defending democracy requires clarity, courage, and sustained organizing. This legislative session, we’re continuing our work to protect communities most impacted by government overreach and to strengthen the guardrails that keep this power in check.

What we are witnessing at this moment is a brazen attempt to roll back one of our most fundamental freedoms guaranteed to us by the Constitution. We will not allow the federal government to target our right to vote here in Connecticut and across the nation. Voting rights remain a cornerstone of our democracy, and we will defend them.

In 2026, the ACLU of Connecticut will:

• Lead the coalition effort to advance no-excuse absentee voting while defending Connecticut’s early voting system
• Ensure full enforcement and funding of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut (CTVRA), especially after last year’s attempt to defund implementation resources
• Counter election misinformation and monitor interference or barriers to participation, working closely with legal partners when necessary

Democracy only works when everyone can participate, and when the rules are enforced fairly and equitably.

The people of Connecticut have demonstrated what it means to mobilize people power as communities defend our immigrant neighbors. As federal immigration enforcement grows more aggressive, Connecticut must draw clear lines, and we need our elected leaders to stand with us.

This session, we are focused on:

• Advancing an executive order to limit the deployment of the Connecticut National Guard that includes strong immigrant-rights safeguards
• Exploring legislative protections that outlast executive action alone
• Supporting partner organizations advancing broader immigrant justice priorities

Connecticut should never be complicit in federal immigration actions that violate people’s rights. When the state has authority over its own resources, it has a responsibility to ensure they are not used to harm immigrant communities.

Unchecked surveillance has a chilling effect on all of us, threatening our privacy, bodily autonomy, and free expression, particularly for marginalized communities. From Black and Brown communities to those seeking reproductive health and gender-affirming care, mass surveillance without regulatory guardrails disproportionately harms people already facing systemic discrimination while putting everyone’s data and privacy at risk.

In 2026, the ACLU of Connecticut will:

• Advance legislation placing strong guardrails on Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems
• Release a municipal toolkit to support local compliance and accountability
• Support partner-led efforts to protect reproductive and LGBTQIA+ data, including shield law updates, PDMP protections, and FACE Act advocacy

People should be able to live their lives without the threat of being tracked, scanned, or profiled.

At this moment, we are witnessing the federal government egregiously abuse their power, irreparably harming our communities while trying to convince us that this is normal. Across the country, we have watched federal agents harm, and even kill, our neighbors exercising their constitutional rights, and continue on without any means of accountability. We know that this is not normal and it is unacceptable. Democracy depends on accountability, and the people of Connecticut must have a remedy to seek justice when our constitutional rights are violated, especially when federal officials abuse their authority.

This session, we are working to:

• Refine a state-level civil rights cause of action for violations committed by federal officials
• Build coalition support and conduct public education around these protections
• Work with legislative champions to strengthen Connecticut’s accountability framework

No one should be above the law, including federal agents operating within our state.

In addition to the critical firewall work named above, the ACLU of Connecticut will continue to support key coalition-led efforts. We will stand with our coalition partners at the legislature to:

• Advance the Survivors Justice Act
• Maintain readiness and narrative leadership on bail reform and pretrial justice
• Refine housing protections for people with criminal records

We will also remain prepared to respond to urgent threats as they arise.

None of this work happens without people.

This session, we are deepening organizing infrastructure across the state, particularly in Fairfield and Hartford counties, and relaunching volunteer engagement to meet the demands of this moment. Our recent Power & Purpose organizing training, focused on building shared strategy, leadership, and capacity, is just the beginning. Protecting civil rights and democracy itself, requires sustained, collective action.

The 2026 legislative session will test whether Connecticut is willing to stand firm in defense of civil liberties. We are equipped with the policy strategy and legal expertise needed to push back against federal overreach and protect our communities. The more people join this effort, the more likely we will be able to secure meaningful reform and lasting protections. Working alongside our partners, allies, and you, we are stronger.

Stay tuned for action alerts, advocacy opportunities, and ways to get involved.