HARTFORD (AP) — The state Senate on Thursday passed a resolution that will allow the voters to decide whether to end Connecticut’s long-standing, tight restrictions on when they're allowed to vote by absentee ballot.

Under the legislation, which passed on a 26-9 vote, the question: "Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to provide for early voting?” will appear on the 2022 Election Day ballot.

The resolution previously cleared the House of Representatives.

“I want Connecticut to be a beacon of light in our country where, right now, too many other state legislatures in America are making it harder and harder for their constituents to vote," said Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, in a statement. "Our residents right here in Connecticut should be empowered to decide whether or not they want to have early voting. And that’s what this resolution does.”

Republicans have criticized the measure as being too broad.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said 44 states currently allow universal access to absentee ballots.

The vote comes a day after the Senate passed a wide-ranging election bill that, among other things, expands automatic voter registration programs, makes permanent the absentee ballot drop boxes erected in the pandemic, restores voting privileges to convicted felons who are on parole, special parole or confined to a halfway house, and provides permanent absentee ballot status to voters suffering from long-term illnesses.

That bill awaits action in the House of Representatives.