AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.

Substitute House Bill No. 5001

Public Act No. 26-42

AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND
VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION
OF ELECTIONS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 9 -135 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[(a)] Any elector eligible to vote at a primary or an election and any
person eligible to vote at a referendum may vote by absentee ballot , [if
such elector or person is unable to appear at such elector's or person's
polling place on the day of such primary, election or referendum for any
of the following reasons: (1) Such elector's or person's active service with
the armed forces of the United States; (2) such elector's or person's
absence from the town of such elector's or person's voting residence; (3)
sickness; (4) physical disability; (5) the tenets of such elector's or person's
religion forbid secular activity on the day of such primary, election or
referendum; or (6) the required performance of such elector's or person's
duties as a primary, election or referendum official, including as a town
clerk or registrar of voters or as staff of the clerk or registrar, at a polling
place other than such elector's or person's own during all of the hours
of voting at such primary, election or referendum] provided such elector
properly completes and submits an absentee ballot application in
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accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
[(b) No person shall misrepresent the eligibility requirements for
voting by absentee ballot prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, to
any elector or prospective absentee ballot applicant.]
Sec. 2. Section 9 -137 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Each absentee ballot shall be returned to the municipal clerk,
inserted in [an inner] a return envelope which shall be capable of being
sealed and which shall have printed on its face a form containing the
following [statements] statement:
"I hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee
balloting that I am eligible to vote at the primary, election or referendum
in the municipality in which this absentee ballot is to be cast. [and that I
expect to be unable to appear at my polling place on the day of such
primary, election or referendum for one or more of the following
reasons: (1) My active service in the armed forces; (2) my absence from
the town in which I am eligible to vote ; (3) sickness; (4) physical
disability; (5) the tenets of my religion which forbid secular activity on
the day of such primary, election or referendum; or (6) my duties as a
primary, election or referendum official.]
Date ....
.... (Signature)
.... (Printed name)"
(b) Each such return envelope shall also be endorsed on the outside
with the words "OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT" and bear a label
generated by the state -wide centralized voter registration system
described in section 9-50b. Such label shall include (1) (A) the name and
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return address of the sender, (B) the applicant's name and voting
residence by street and number, (C) the applicant's voting district, (D)
the ballot style, (E) the unique ballot identification number, appearing
both in a text format and as a scannable barcode, and (F) the date of the
primary, election or referendum at which the ballot is to be cast and, if
the absentee ballot is to be cast at a primary, the name of the party
holding the primary, and (2) a notice, sufficient to warn any person
handling the ballot, of the restrictions set forth in section 9 -140b, as
amended by this act, concerning who may possess or return the ballot
and the restrictions and penalties set forth in section 9 -359 concerning
the completion or execution of absentee ballots. The c lerk shall also
inscribe such clerk's official address for the return of the ballot on the
return envelope prior to issuance of the ballot and return envelope.
Sec. 3. Section 9 -139a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
passage):
(a) The Secretary of the State shall prescribe and furnish the following
materials to municipal clerks: The absentee ballot facsimile, the
application for absentee ballot authorized for use at each election or
primary, the privacy sleeve, the [inner envelope, the outer ] envelope
provided for [the return of] returning the ballot with the privacy sleeve
to the municipal clerk, the instructions for [the use of] using the absentee
ballot and privacy sleeve and the envelope for mailing of such forms by
the clerk to the absentee ballot applicant.
(b) The application for absentee ballot shall be in the form of a
statement signed under the penalties of false statement in absentee
balloting. Each application shall contain (1) spaces for the signature
under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting of any person
who assists the applicant in the completion of an application together
with the information required in section 9 -140, as amended by this act ,
(2) spaces for the signature and the printed or typed name of the
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applicant, and (3) a clear and conspicuous notation of the year for which
such application's use is authorized.
(c) The Secretary of the State shall prescribe and furnish to the
Department of Correction an application for absentee ballot form for use
within Department of Correction facilities. Such form shall contain
spaces for all information required under subsection (b) of this section.
Each such form shall be consecutively numbered and shall indicate that
such form is only for use by an absentee ballot applicant who is
incarcerated in a Department of Correction facility and that such
applicant is required to prov ide in the appropriate space on such form
a mailing address at the Department of Correction facility in order for
an absentee ballot to be mailed to such applicant.
(d) The instructions for [the use of ] using the absentee ballot and
privacy sleeve shall be in plain language and shall include the steps to
be taken if a vote is to be cancelled or changed, and shall also contain a
simple and concise restatement of the provisions of subsection [(l)] (k)
of section 9 -150a, as amended by this act, [and section 9 -159o]
concerning rejection of ballots marked in such manner as to identify the
voters casting them . [, and withdrawal of ballots by persons who find
they are able to vote at the polls.]
(e) A sufficient supply of such instructions , privacy sleeves and
envelopes shall be printed to supply the number which the municipal
clerk requests or the Secretary of the State deems sufficient.
Sec. 4. Section 9-140 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
passage):
(a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, application
for an absentee ballot shall be made to the clerk of the municipality in
which the applicant is eligible to vote or has applied for such eligibility.
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Any person who assists another person in the completion of an
application shall, in the space provided, sign the application and print
or type [his] such person's name, residence address and telephone
number, except that any employee of the Department of Correction who
so assists an incarcerated applicant shall provide the address and
telephone number of the department facility to which such employee is
assigned in lieu of such employee's residence address an d telephone
number. Such signature shall be made under the penalties of false
statement in absentee balloting. The municipal clerk shall not invalidate
the application solely because it does not contain the name of a person
who assisted the applicant in the completion of the application. The
municipal clerk shall not distribute with an absentee ballot application
any material which promotes the success or defeat of any candidate or
referendum question. The municipal clerk shall maintain a log of all
absentee ballot applications provided under this subsect ion, including
the name and address of each person to whom applications are
provided and the number of applications provided to each such person.
Each absentee ballot application provided by the municipal clerk shall
[be consecutively numbered ] display a unique ballot identification
number and be stamped or marked with the name of the municipality
issuing the application. The application shall be signed by the applicant
under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting on (A) the
form prescribed by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-139a,
as amended by this act, (B) a form provided by any federal department
or agency if applicable pursuant to section 9 -153a, or (C) any of the
special forms of application prescribed pursuant to section 9 -150c, 9 -
153a, 9-153b, as amended by this act, 9-153d, 9-153e, as amended by this
act, 9-153f, as amended by this act, or 9-158d, if applicable. Any such
absentee ballot applicant who is unable to write may cause the
application to be completed by an authorized agent who shall, in the
spaces provided for the date and signature, write the date and name of
the absentee ballot applicant followed by the word "by" and [his] such
authorized agent's own signature. If the ballot is to be mailed to the
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applicant, the applicant shall list the bona fide personal mailing address
of the applicant in the appropriate space on the application.
(2) A municipal clerk may transmit an application to a person under
this subsection by facsimile machine or other electronic means, if so
requested by the applicant. If a municipal clerk has a facsimile machine
or other electronic means, an applicant may retur n a completed
application to the clerk by such a machine or device, provided the
applicant shall also mail the original of the completed application to the
clerk, either separately or with the absentee ballot that is issued to the
applicant. If the cle rk does not receive such original application by the
close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum, the
absentee ballot shall not be counted.
(3) No municipal clerk shall provide, for an election, primary or
referendum, five or more absentee ballot applications to any person
earlier than ninety days prior to the first day of issuance of absentee
voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of this section, for such election,
primary or referendum.
(4) No municipal clerk shall provide or accept for return, and no
person shall [distribute or otherwise ] use, any absentee ballot
application in a given year unless such application contains the notation
described in subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 9 -139a, as
amended by this act, authorizing such application's use in such year.
(b) On and after July 1, 2021:
(1) Application for an absentee ballot may also be made to the
Secretary of the State through an online system established and
maintained by the Secretary for such purpose if an applicant's signature
is in a database described in subsection (b) of section 9-19k, or the system
described in section 9-4c, and such signature may be imported into such
online application system.
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(2) In order for an application for an absentee ballot to be submitted
through the online system described in subdivision (1) of this
subsection, the applicant's signature shall be obtained from a database
described in subsection (b) of section 9 -19k, or the s ystem described in
section 9-4c, and the applicant shall, on an online form prescribed by the
Secretary, (A) type [his or her ] such applicant's name, (B) indicate the
municipality in which such applicant is eligible to vote or has applied
for such elig ibility, and (C) mark a box associated with the following
statement:
"By clicking on the box below, I swear or affirm all of the following
under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting:
1. I am the person whose name is provided on this form, and I desire
to apply for an absentee ballot.
2. I am eligible to vote in the municipality provided on this form or
have applied for such eligibility.
3. I authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles or other Connecticut
state agency to transmit to the Connecticut Secretary of the State my
signature that is on file with such agency and understand that such
signature will be used by the Secretary on this online application for an
absentee ballot as if I had signed this form personally."
(3) Not later than twenty -four hours after receipt of any submitted
application for an absentee ballot through the online system described
in subdivision (1) of this subsection, the Secretary shall transmit such
application to the clerk of the municipality indicated in such application.
(c) The municipal clerk shall check the name of each absentee ballot
applicant against the last -completed registry list and any updated
registry lists on file in the municipal clerk's office. If the name of such
applicant does not appear on any of such lists, the clerk shall send such
applicant a notice, in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, to
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the effect that (1) the applicant's name did not appear on the list of
electors of the municipality at the time the application was processed,
and (2) unless the applicant is admitted or restored as an elector of the
municipality by the applicable cutoff d ates, an absentee ballot will not
be mailed to [him] such applicant. Such notice shall not be so mailed if,
prior to the mailing of the notice, the registrars provide the clerk with
reliable information showing the absentee ballot applicant to be an
elector of the municipality.
(d) (1) An absentee voting set shall consist of (A) the mailing envelope
containing all other items of such set and used to issue such set to the
applicant, (B) an absentee ballot, [inner and outer envelopes ] (C) a
privacy sleeve for the ballot, (D) an envelope for [its return] returning
the ballot with the privacy sleeve, (E) instructions for [its use] using the
ballot and privacy sleeve , and (F) if applicable, explanatory texts
concerning ballot questions, as provided for in sections 2 -30a and 9 -
369b, as amended by this act.
(2) No other material shall be included with an absentee voting set
issued to an applicant , except (A) as provided in sections 9 -153e, as
amended by this act, and 9-153f, as amended by this act, [or] (B) where
necessary to correct an error or omission as provided in section 9 -153c,
as amended by this act, or (C) any voting information as may be
prescribed by the Secretary of the State, provided no such voting
information shall promote the success or defeat of any candidate or
question.
(e) Upon receipt of an application, the municipal clerk shall, unless a
notice is mailed to the applicant pursuant to subsection (c) of this
section, [write the serial number of the outer ] ensure the unique ballot
identification number appearing on the return envelope included in the
absentee voting set to be issued to the applicant matches the unique
identification number displayed on the application form in the space
provided for [that purpose on the application form. Sets shall be issued
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to applicants in consecutive ascending numerical order of the envelope
serial numbers, and] such purpose. As absentee voting sets are issued to
applicants, the clerk shall keep a list of the unique ballot identification
numbers [indicating beside each number] and shall indicate beside each
unique ballot identification number on the list the name of the applicant
to whom [that set ] the absentee voting set corresponding with such
unique ballot identification number was issued. The list shall be
preserved as a public record as required by section 9-150b, as amended
by this act.
(f) Absentee voting sets shall be issued beginning on the thirty -first
day before an election and the twenty -first day before a primary or, if
such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, beginning on the next
preceding business day.
(g) (1) On the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets , the
municipal clerk shall mail an absentee voting set to each applicant
whose application was received by the clerk prior to that day. When the
clerk receives an application during the time period in which absentee
voting sets are to be issued, [he] the clerk shall mail an absentee voting
set to the applicant [,] within twenty-four hours, unless the applicant
submits [his] such applicant's application in person at the office of the
clerk and [asks] requests to be given [his] such applicant's absentee
voting set immediately, in which case the clerk shall comply with the
request. Any absentee voting set to be mailed to an applicant shall be
mailed to the bona fide personal mailing address shown on the
application. If an applicant has provided a mailing address at a
Department of Correction facility and such applicant is subsequently
transferred to another Department of Correction facility, the
Commissioner of Correction shall ensure delivery of the absentee voting
set to such applicant. Issuance of absentee voting sets shall also be
subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, section 9 -150c
[and section 9-159q] concerning persons designated to deliver or return
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ballots in cases involving unforeseen illness or disability and section 9-
159q, as amended by this act, concerning supervised voting at certain
health care institutions.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this
subsection, upon receipt of an application under section 9 -140e, 9-153e,
as amended by this act, 9 -153f, as amended by this act, or 9 -158c, the
municipal clerk may issue to the applicant an abse ntee ballot by
electronic means if such applicant requests such manner of issuance.
(h) No absentee ballot shall be issued on the day of an election or
primary, or after the opening of the polls on the day of a referendum,
except in cases involving unforeseen illness or disability [or presidential
or overseas ballots ] as provided in section 9 -150c and presidential or
overseas ballots as provided in sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive.
(i) The municipal clerk shall file executed applications in alphabetical
order according to the applicants' surnames. Such applications shall be
preserved as a public record as required by section 9-150b, as amended
by this act.
(j) No person shall pay or give any compensation to another , and no
person shall accept any compensation , solely for (1) distributing
absentee ballot applications obtained from a municipal clerk or the
Secretary of the State, or (2) assisting any other person in the execution
of an absentee ballot.
(k) (1) A person shall register with the municipal clerk before
distributing five or more absentee ballot applications for an election,
primary or referendum, not including applications distributed to such
person's immediate family. Such requirement shall not apply to a person
who is the designee of an applicant or to any employee of the
Department of Correction who provides the application for absentee
ballot form prescribed under subsection (c) of section 9 -139a, as
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amended by this act, to one or more incarcerated absentee ballot
applicants.
(2) The municipal clerk shall reject the application of any absentee
ballot applicant made upon the form prescribed under subsection (c) of
section 9 -139a, as amended by this act, if such form indicates any
address other than an address at a Department of Correction facility.
The municipal clerk shall maintain a log of all applications of
incarcerated absentee ballot applicants received by such municipal
clerk, which log shall indi cate the name and address of each applicant,
the date of receipt of each application and the date such municipal clerk
mailed the absentee ballot to such applicant or the reason why such
application was rejected.
(3) Any person who distributes absentee ballot applications shall
maintain a list of the names and addresses of prospective absentee ballot
applicants who receive such applications, and shall file such list with
the municipal clerk prior to the date of the pri mary, election or
referendum for which the applications were so distributed, except that
such requirements shall not apply to any employee of the Department
of Correction who provides the application for absentee ballot form
prescribed under subsection (c) of section 9 -139a, as amended by this
act, to incarcerated absentee ballot applicants. Any person who
distributes absentee ballot applications and receives an executed
application shall forthwith file the application with the municipal clerk.
(l) No candidate, party or political committee, or agent of such
candidate or committee shall mail unsolicited applications for absentee
ballots to any person, unless such [mailing includes] committee or agent
includes with such mailing: (1) A written [explanation of the eligibility
requirements for voting by absentee ballot as prescribed in subsection
(a) of section 9 -135] disclaimer that such mailing was (A) paid for by
such committee or agent, and (B) in the case of a candidate committee,
approved by the applicable candidate , and (2) a written [warning that
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voting or attempting to vote by absentee ballot without meeting one or
more of such eligibility requirements subjects the elector or applicant to
potential civil and criminal penalties ] explanation of the various ways
an absentee ballot may be returned, as provided in subsection (a) of
section 9 -140b, as amended by this act . As used in this subsection,
"agent" means any person authorized to act on behalf of another person.
(m) The Secretary of the State shall conspicuously post on the
Secretary of the State's web site, adjacent to the absentee ballot
application form available for downloading, a notice that the
application may be downloaded by a person only for (1) the person's
own use, (2) the use of a member of the person's immediate family, or
(3) the use of a designee of the applicant. The notice shall also contain
an advisory statement concerning the requirements of subsection (k) of
this section.
(n) The State Elections Enforcement Commission, in consultation
with the Secretary of the State, shall prepare a summary of the
requirements and prohibitions of the absentee voting laws, which shall
be posted on said agencies' web sites. Candidates and politic al party
chairpersons shall provide such summary to campaign and party
employees and volunteers.
(o) As used in this section, (1) "immediate family" has the same
meaning as provided in subsection (a) of section 9-140b, as amended by
this act , and (2) "designee" has the same meaning as provided in
subsection (b) of section 9-140b, as amended by this act.
Sec. 5. Section 9 -140a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Each absentee ballot applicant shall sign the form on the [inner]
return envelope provided for in section 9 -137, as amended by this act ,
which shall constitute a statement under the penalties of false statement
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in absentee balloting. Any absentee ballot applicant who is unable to
write may cause [his] such applicant's name to be signed on the form by
an authorized agent who shall, in the space provided for the signature,
write the name of the applicant followed by the word "by" and [his] such
authorized agent's own signature. The failure of the applicant or
authorized agent to date the form shall not invalidate the ballot. The
ballot shall be inserted in the [inner envelope, and the inner envelope
shall be inserted in the outer ] return envelope [,] prior to the return of
the ballot to the municipal clerk. If an applicant is required to return
identification with the ballot pursuant to the Help America Vote Act,
P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, the municipal clerk shall
provide to the applicant an additional envelope preaddressed to the
municipal clerk for the return of such applicant's identification, which
envelope may be postage prepaid, and the applicant shall return such
identification [shall be inser ted in the outer envelope so such
identification can be viewed without opening the inner envelope] to the
municipal clerk in such additional envelope.
Sec. 6. Section 9 -140b of the general statutes, as amended by section
88 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) An absentee ballot shall be cast at a primary, election or
referendum only if: (1) [It] Such ballot is mailed by (A) the ballot
applicant, (B) a designee of a person who applies for an absentee ballot
because of illness or physical disability, or (C) a member of the
immediate family of an applicant who is a student, so that [it] the ballot
is received by the clerk of the municipality in which the applicant is
qualified to vote not later than the close of the polls; (2) [it] such ballot
is returned by th e applicant in person to [the] such clerk by the day
before the election or primary or prior to the opening of the polls on the
day of the referendum; (3) [it] such ballot is returned by a designee of
an ill or physically disabled ballot applicant, in person, to [said] such
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clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election,
primary or referendum; (4) [it] such ballot is returned by a member of
the immediate family of the [absentee voter ] applicant, in person, to
[said] such clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the
election, primary or referendum; (5) in the case of a presidential or
overseas ballot, [it] such ballot is mailed or otherwise returned pursuant
to the provisions of section 9-158g, as amended by this act; or (6) [it] such
ballot is returned with the proper identification as required by the Help
America Vote Act, P.L. 107 -252, as amended from time to time, if
applicable, [inserted in the outer envelope so such identification can be
viewed without opening the inner envelope ] in accordance with the
provisions of section 9-140a, as amended by this act. A person returning
an absentee ballot to the municipal clerk pursuant to subdivision (3) or
(4) of this subsection shall present identification and, on the [outer]
return envelope of the absentee ballot, sign [his] such person's name in
the presence of the municipal clerk [,] and indicate [his] such person's
address [, his] and relationship to the voter or [his] position [,] and the
date and time of such return. An absentee ballot shall be deemed cast
when it is received and accepted by the municipal clerk in accordance
with the provisions of this subsection, provided the statement on the
return envelope for such absentee ballot is signed by the applicant. As
used in this section, "immedi ate family" means a dependent relative
who resides in the individual's household or any spouse, child, parent
or sibling of the individual.
(b) As used in this section and section 9-150c, "designee" means (1) a
person who is caring for the applicant because of the applicant's illness
or physical disability, including, but not limited to, a licensed physician
or a registered or practical nurse, (2) a member of the applicant's family,
who is designated by an absentee ballot applicant and who consents to
such designation, or (3) a police officer, registrar of voters, deputy
registrar of voters or assistant registrar of voters in the municipality i n
which the applicant resides.
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(c) (1) For purposes of this section, "mailed" means (A) sent by the
United States Postal Service or any commercial carrier, courier or
messenger service recognized and approved by the Secretary of the
State, or (B) deposited in a secure drop box designated by the municipal
clerk for such purpose, in accordance with instructions prescribed by
the Secretary.
(2) (A) In the case of absentee ballots mailed under subparagraph (B)
of subdivision (1) of this subsection, beginning on the first day of
issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of section
9-140, as amended by this act , and on each [weekday] business day
thereafter until the close of the polls at the election, primary or
referendum, including at the close of the polls at such election, primary
or referendum, the municipal clerk shall retrieve from the secure drop
box described in said subparagraph each such ballot deposited in such
drop box.
(B) On and after July 1, 2025, each municipality shall provide a video
recording device for each secure drop box described in subparagraph
(B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection within such municipality, which
device's recordings shall capture the location of such drop box and
evidence the date and time of each such recording beginning on the first
day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of
section 9 -140, as amended by this act , and until the last retrieval of
absentee ball ots from such drop box at the close of the polls at the
election or primary. Each such recording shall, as soon as practicable, be
made publicly available from the date of recording, but in no case later
than five days after such last retrieval. Each such recording shall be
retained by the municipality for a period of twelve months and may be
destroyed at the end of such period, except that the State Elections
Enforcement Commission or a court of competent jurisdiction may
order that such period be extended until the conclusion of any
investigation related to such recording.
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(3) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the use of secure drop
boxes for the deposit of absentee ballots, including, but not limited to,
the placement and positioning of any such drop bo x and the video
recording of any such drop box and retention of any such recording.
(d) No person shall have in [his] such person's possession any official
absentee ballot or ballot envelope for use at any primary, election or
referendum except the applicant to whom it was issued, the Secretary of
the State or [his or her ] the Secretary's authorized agents, any official
printer of absentee ballot forms and [his] such printer's designated
carriers, the United States Postal Service, any other carrier, courier or
messenger service recognized and approved by the Secretary of the
State, any person authorized by a municipal clerk to receive and process
official absentee ballot forms on behalf of the municipal clerk, any
authorized primary, election or referendum official or any other person
authorized by any provision of the general statutes to possess a ballot or
ballot envelope.
(e) No (1) candidate , or (2) agent of a candidate, political party or
committee, as defined in section 9-601, shall knowingly be present when
an absentee ballot applicant executes an absentee ballot, except when
(A) [when] the candidate or agent is (i) a member of the immediate
family of the applicant , or (ii) authorized by law to be present , or (B)
[when] the absentee ballot is executed in the office of the municipal clerk
and the municipal clerk or an employee of the municipal clerk is a
candidate or agent.
Sec. 7. Section 9 -140c of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) (1) The municipal clerk shall retain the return envelopes
containing absentee ballots received by [him] such clerk under section
9-140b, as amended by this act, and shall not open such return
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envelopes. [The] As the municipal clerk receives each absentee ballot,
such clerk shall first make a record, for the purposes of subdivision (3)
of this subsection, of each return envelope on which the applicant did
not sign the statement and shall then endorse over [his] such clerk's
signature [,] upon each [outer] return envelope [as he receives it,] (A)
the date and precise time of its receipt, and (B) the method of its receipt,
in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection.
The clerk shall make an affidavit attesting to the accuracy of all such
endorsements [, and at the close of the polls ] and shall deliver such
affidavit at the close of the polls to the head moderator, who shall
endorse the time of its receipt and return it to the clerk after all counting
is complete. The clerk shall preserve the affidavit for one hundred eighty
days in accordance with the requirements of section 9-150b, as amended
by this act. The clerk shall keep a list of the names of the applicants who
return absentee ballots to the clerk under section 9-140b, as amended by
this act . The list shall be preserved as a public record as required by
section 9-150b, as amended by this act.
(2) The municipal clerk shall record on the [outer] return envelope of
each absentee ballot [returned] received by such clerk under section 9-
140b, as amended by this act, whether such absentee ballot was (A) sent
by the United States Postal Service or any commercial carrier, courier or
messenger service, (B) deposited in a secure drop box, in which case the
location of such drop box shall also be so recorded, (C) returned in
person by an electo r, or (D) returned in person by the designee or
immediate famil y member of an elector. As soon as reasonably
practicable after the close of the polls at an election or primary, the
municipal clerk shall submit to the Secretary of the State a report
detailing the total count of all absentee ballots returned for such election
or primary, broken down by each method described in subparagraphs
(A) to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision.
(3) (A) If the municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot without the
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statement on the return envelope signed by the applicant, such absentee
ballot may be cured in person at the municipal clerk's office beginning
on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in
subsection (f) of section 9-140, as amended by this act, and until the close
of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum. After such
close of the polls, no such absentee ballot may be cured.
(B) In the case of any absentee ballot described in subparagraph (A)
of this subdivision, the municipal clerk shall use best efforts to contact
the affected voter as soon as possible, but in no case later than twenty -
four hours after receiving the absentee ballot, for the purpose of curing
such ballot pursuant to said subparagraph. During the period beginning
twenty-four hours prior to the closing of the polls and until such closing
of the polls, the municipal clerk shall use best efforts to contact the
affected voter for such purpose immediately upon receiving the
absentee ballot. The municipal clerk's best efforts shall include, but need
not be limited to, contacting the affected voter by (i) calling the
telephone number or numbers listed on the voter's ab sentee ballot
application and voter registration, if the voter has provided any, and (ii)
sending an electronic mail to the electronic mail address listed on the
voter's absentee ballot application and voter registration, if the voter has
provided any. If the voter has provided neither a telephone number nor
an electronic mail address, the municipal clerk shall exercise discretion
in attempting to contact the voter by other means.
(b) (1) Beginning [not earlier than the seventh day before the election,
primary or referendum ] the day after the first day of issuance of
absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of section 9 -140, as
amended by this act, and on any weekday thereafter, all absentee ballots
received by the municipal clerk at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. of [such
day] the day of the election, primary or referendum may be sorted into
voting districts by the municipal clerk and checked as provided in this
subsection. On any such day, beginning as soon as the ballots have been
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sorted, the registrars of voters, without opening the [outer] return
envelopes, may check the names of the applicants returning ballots on
the official checklist to be used at the election, primary or referendum
by indicating "absentee" or "A" preceding each such name and, if
unaffiliated electors are authorized under sect ion 9-431 to vote in the
primary of either of two parties, the designation of the party in which
the applicants are voting preceding each such name. Unless absentee
ballots are to be count ed in the respective polling places, pursuant to
subsection (b) of section 9 -147a, the registrars shall also place such
indication on a duplicate checklist to be retained by the municipal clerk
until the municipal clerk delivers such duplicate checklist to the
registrars, in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, for the use
of the absentee ballot counters pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.
(2) All absentee ballots received at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. of
the last day before the election, primary or referendum which is not a
Sunday or legal holiday, shall be sorted into voting districts by the
municipal clerk and checked as provided in subdivision (1) of this
subsection not later than such last day.
(c) If the name of the applicant returning the ballot is not on the
official checklist for any polling place in such municipality, the
registrars shall endorse on the face of [such outer] the return envelope
the word "rejected", followed by a statement of the reasons for rejection,
and [the outer] such return envelope shall not be opened [or the ballot]
nor shall such ballot be counted.
(d) After such checking has been completed on any such day, the
municipal clerk shall seal the unopened ballots in a package and retain
them in a safe place.
(e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, ballots
received at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. on the last day before the
election, primary or referendum shall be delivered by the municipal
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clerk to the registrars [between ten o'clock a.m. and twelve o'clock noon]
not later than eight o'clock a.m. on the day of the election , [or] primary
[and at twelve o'clock noon on the day of a ] or referendum. Unless
absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places,
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9 -147a, the municipal clerk shall
also deliver to the registrars at this time the duplicate checklist provided
for in subsection (b) of this section, for the use of the absentee ballot
counters pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.
(2) [The] In the case of a special election or referendum, the municipal
clerk may deliver [the] such ballots at a time that is later than [the time
provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection ] eight o'clock a.m. on the
day of such special election or referendum , provided such time is
mutually agreed upon by the municipal clerk and registrars and is not
later than [eight] four o'clock p.m. on the day of [the election, primary]
such special election or referendum.
(f) Absentee ballots timely received by the municipal clerk after
eleven o'clock a.m. of such last day before an election, primary or
referendum shall be sorted into voting districts by the clerk and retained
by the clerk separately until delivered to the registrars of voters for
checking.
(g) Any or all of such ballots received after eleven o'clock a.m. of such
last day before an election, primary or referendum and before six o'clock
p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum shall, upon
request of the registrars, be delivered to the registrars by the municipal
clerk at six o'clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or
referendum for checking, or at a later time mutually agreed upon by the
clerk and registrars, provided such time is not later than eight o'clock
p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum.
(h) Absentee ballots received after six o'clock p.m. on the day of the
election, primary or referendum and any ballots received prior to six
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o'clock p.m. of such day which were not delivered earlier shall be
delivered to the registrars at the close of the polls for checking. Although
absentee ballots shall be checked by the registrars [of voters] at various
times throughout the election, primary or referendum day, absentee
ballots may be counted at one single time during such day.
(i) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the absentee
ballot counters, upon receipt of the ballots delivered by the municipal
clerk to the registrars at six o'clock p.m. on the day of the election,
primary or referendum and at the close of the polls pursuant to
subsections (g) and (h) of this sectio n, shall check the names of the
applicants returning ballots on the duplicate checklist in the same
manner as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision,
the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at six o'clock p.m.
on the day of the election, primary or referendum shall be called in to
the appropriate polling places where they shall be checked by the
checkers on the official checklists, and they shall also be checked by the
absentee ballot counters on the duplicate checklist required under
subsection (b) of this section.
(B) Whenever absentee ballots are counted in any polling place
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9 -147a, the names of applicants
whose ballots were delivered at six o'clock p.m. on the day of the
election, primary or referendum shall be checked by the absentee ballot
counters and checkers at such polling place on the official checklist used
at such polling place.
(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision ,
the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at the close of the
polls shall be checked by the absentee ballot counters on the official
checklists used at the polling places and such official checklists, bearing
the certifications required by section 9 -307, shall be delivered by the
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registrars or assistant registrars to the central counting moderator for
that purpose.
(B) Whenever absentee ballots are counted in any polling place
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the official checklist used at
such polling place shall remain in such polling place for checking by the
absentee ballot counters at such polling place.
(4) If the name of an applicant returning a ballot has been checked on
the official checklist as having voted in person , the absentee ballot
counters shall, in checking the ballots, endorse on the face of the [outer]
return envelope the word "rejected" followed by a statement of the
reason for rejection, and [the outer] such return envelope shall not be
opened [or the ballot] nor shall such ballot be counted.
(5) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision,
when central counting is completed and the result is announced, the
central counting moderator shall deliver the duplicate checklist, the
official checklists and the returns required by section 9 -150b, as
amended by this act, to the head moderator.
(B) Whenever absentee ballots are counted in any polling place
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9 -147a, and such counting is
completed and the result for such polling place is announced, the
moderator for such polling place shall deliver the official checklist used
at such polling place and the return required by section 9 -150b, as
amended by this act, to the head moderator.
(j) Each time absentee ballots are delivered by the clerk to the
registrars pursuant to this section, the clerk and registrars shall execute
an affidavit of delivery and receipt stating the number of ballots
delivered. The clerk shall preserve the affidavit for the period prescribed
in section 9-150b, as amended by this act.
(k) The absentee ballot counters shall count, in the manner provided
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in section 9-150a, as amended by this act, each group of absentee ballots
upon receipt from the registrars.
(l) The municipal clerk shall retain all [outer] return envelopes
containing absentee ballots received by [him] such clerk after the close
of the polls, unopened, for the period prescribed in section 9 -150b, as
amended by this act.
Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The office of the Secretary of the
State shall develop and install integrated ballot -tracking software with
the state-wide centralized voter registration system described in section
9-50b of the general statutes, for use by electors who vote by absentee
ballot. Such software shall, at a minimum, permit the elector to track (1)
when the municipal clerk has received and accepted the elector's
absentee ballot application, (2) when the municipal clerk's office has
mailed the absentee ballot set to the elector, (3) when the absentee ballot
set has been delivered to the elector, (4) when the absentee ballot being
returned by the elector has been delivered to the municipal clerk, and
(5) whether the elector's returned absentee ballot has been accepted,
requires curing pursuant to su bdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section
9-140c of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or has been
rejected.
Sec. 9. (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) (a) Any elector may submit a
request, in a form and manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State,
to the registrars of voters of the municipality of such elector's voting
residence to automatically receive an application for an absentee ballot
for each election and referendum, and primary if applicable, conducted
in such municipality. Each elector whose request is approved shall be
issued an absentee ballot application, as soon as practicable, in advance
of each such election, primary or referendum for which such elector is
eligible to vote. Such elector's automatic absentee ballot application
status shall remain in effect until such elector: (1) Is removed from the
official registry list of the municipality, (2) is removed from automatic
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absentee ballot application status in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (b) of this section, or (3) requests in writing to the registrar of
voters that such elector no longer receive such automatic absentee ballot
application status.
(b) An elector approved for automatic absentee ballot application
status shall be removed from such status whenever (1) such elector's
absentee ballot application is returned as undeliverable, (2) such elector
submits a change of address form for a move outsid e the state with the
National Change of Address System of the United States Postal Service,
(3) a registrar of voters of the municipality in which such elector
previously resided receives information or data, used to maintain the
state-wide centralized voter registration system under section 9 -50c of
the general statutes, that such elector has moved outside the state, (4)
the Secretary of the State or a registrar of voters of the municipality in
which such elector previously resided receives information under
section 9-21 of the general statutes that such elector has registered to
vote outside the state, or (5) such elector's name is placed on the inactive
registry list compiled under section 9-35 of the general statutes.
Sec. 10. Section 9-150a of the general statutes, as amended by section
90 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) [The] Not later than fifteen minutes prior to the time specified or
agreed to, as applicable, under subsection (e) of section 9 -140c, as
amended by this act, the absentee ballot counters shall proceed to the
central counting location or to the respective polling places when
counting is to take place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a. [at
the times designated by the registrars of voters.]
(b) At the time each group of ballots is delivered to them pursuant to
section 9-140c, as amended by this act , the counters shall perform any
checking of such ballots required by subsection (i) of said section and
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shall then proceed as hereinafter provided.
(c) Except with respect to ballots marked "Rejected" pursuant to
section 9 -140c, as amended by this act, or other applicable law, the
counters shall remove the [inner envelopes] absentee ballots from the
[outer] return envelopes, shall note the total number of absentee ballots
received and shall report such total to the moderator. They shall
similarly note and separately so report the total numbers of presidential
ballots and overseas ballots received pursuant to sectio ns 9-158a to 9 -
158m, inclusive.
(d) (1) (A) If the statement on the [inner] return envelope has not been
signed as required by section 9 -140a, as amended by this act , such
[inner] return envelope shall not be opened [or] nor shall the ballot be
removed therefrom. [, and such inner envelope shall be replaced in the
opened outer envelope which shall be marked "Rejected" and the reason
therefor endorsed thereon by the counters. ] The return envelope shall
be marked "Rejected" and the reason for such rejection shall be endorsed
on such return envelope by the counters.
(B) The moderator shall maintain a log of each absentee ballot
applicant whose ballot was marked "Rejected" under subparagraph (A)
of this subdivision and include thereon for each such applicant the
reason for the rejection. The moderator shall transmit such log to the
Secretary of the State at the same time and in the same manner as the
duplicate list to be transmitted to the Secretary by electronic means in
accordance with section 9-314.
(2) (A) If such statement is signed but the individual completing the
ballot is an individual described in subsection (a) of section 9 -23r and
has not met the requirements of subsection (e) of section 9 -23r, as
amended by this act, the counters shall replace the ballot in the opened
[inner envelope, replace the inner envelope in the opened outer ] return
envelope and shall mark "Rejected as an Absentee Ballot" and endorse
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the reason for such rejection on [the outer] such return envelope, and
the ballot shall be treated as a provisional ballot for federal offices only,
pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.
(B) The moderator shall maintain a log of each absentee ballot
applicant whose ballot was marked "Rejected as an Absentee Ballot"
under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision and include thereon for
each such applicant the reason for the rejection. The moderator shall
transmit such log to the Secretary of the State at the same time and in
the same manner as the duplicate list to be transmitted to the Secretary
by electronic means in accordance with section 9-314.
[(e) The counters shall then remove the absentee ballots from the
remaining inner envelopes.]
[(f)] (e) Before the ballots are counted, all opened [outer and inner ]
envelopes from which such ballots have been removed, and all [outer]
envelopes marked "Rejected" as required by law, shall be placed and
sealed by the counters, separately by voting district, in depository
envelopes prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the
municipal clerk. The counters shall seal such de pository envelopes by
wrapping them lengthwise and sideways with nonreusable tape,
endorse on each such envelope the ir names, the voting district and the
time of the count, and deliver such envelopes to the moderator.
[(g)] (f) The counters shall then count such ballots as provided in this
section. The moderator shall supervise the counting.
[(h)] (g) The Secretary of the State shall provide a procedure manual
for counting absentee ballots. The manual shall include a description of
the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving
absentee ballots. Facsimile ballots shall be print ed in the manual,
illustrating potential variations in ballot markings along with the correct
interpretation to be given in each situation illustrated.
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[(i)] (h) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section the provisions
of section 9 -265 shall apply to write -in votes on absentee ballots at
elections.
(2) Votes cast by absentee ballot at a primary may be counted only for
candidates whose names appear on the ballot on primary day, and no
write-in vote shall be counted except as provided in subdivision (3) of
this subsection.
(3) If a write-in vote on an absentee ballot is cast for a candidate for
any office whose name appears on the ballot for that office on election
or primary day, such candidate's name shall be deemed to have been
checked on such ballot and, except as otherwise provided in subsection
[(j)] (i) of this section, one vote shall be counted and recorded for such
candidate for such office.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in section 9 -265, if the name of a
registered write-in candidate for an office is written in for such office on
an absentee ballot it shall be deemed validly written in for purposes of
subsection [(j)] (i) of this section.
[(j)] (i) In the counting of absentee ballots the intent of the voter shall
govern, provided the following conclusive presumptions, where
applicable, shall prevail in determining such intent:
(1) If the names of more candidates for an office than the voter is
entitled to vote for are checked or validly written in, then the vote cast
for that office shall be deemed an invalid overvote.
(2) If the name of a candidate who has vacated [his] such candidate's
candidacy is checked, such vote shall not be counted.
(3) On an absentee ballot on which candidates' names are printed, a
vote shall be deemed cast only for each candidate whose name is
individually checked or validly written in, except as otherwise provided
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in this subsection. If a party designation is circled, checked, underscored
or similarly marked in any manner, or written in, no vote shall be
deemed cast or cancelled for any candidate by virtue of such marking
or writing.
[(k)] (j) If the intent of an absentee voter is difficult to ascertain due to
uncertain, conflicting or incorrect ballot markings which are not clearly
addressed in this section or in the procedure manual for counting
absentee ballots provided by the Secretary of th e State, the absentee
ballot counters shall submit the ballot and their question to the
moderator. They shall then count the ballot in accordance with the
moderator's decision as to the voter's intent, if such intent is
ascertainable. A ballot or part of a ballot on which the intent is
determined by the moderator to be not ascertainable, shall not be
counted. The moderator shall endorse on the ballot the question and
[his] such moderator's decision.
[(l)] (k) No absentee ballot shall be rejected as a marked ballot unless,
in the opinion of the moderator, it was marked for the purpose of
providing a means of identifying the voter who cast it.
[(m)] (l) After the absentee ballots have been so counted they shall be
placed by the counters, separately by voting district, in depository
envelopes prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the
municipal clerk. Any notes, worksheets, or other written materials used
by the counters in counting such ballots shall be endorsed by them with
their names, the date and the time of the count and shall also be placed
in such depository envelopes together with the ballots, and with the
separate recor d of the number of votes cast on such ballots for each
candidate as required by section 9 -150b, as amended by this act . Such
depository envelopes shall then be sealed, endorsed and delivered to
the moderator by the counters in the same manner as provided in
subsection [(f)] (e) of this section.
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Sec. 11. Subsections (e) to (i), inclusive, of section 9-150b of the general
statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
(Effective from passage):
(e) The sealed depository envelopes required by subsections [(f) and
(m)] (e) and (l) of section 9 -150a, as amended by this act, shall be
returned by the moderator to the municipal clerk as soon as practicable
on or before the day following the election, primary or referendum.
(f) The municipal clerk shall preserve for sixty days after the election,
primary or referendum the depository envelopes containing opened
envelopes and rejected ballots required by subsection [(f)] (e) of section
9-150a, as amended by this act , and shall so preserve for one hundred
eighty days the depository envelopes containing counted ballots and
related materials required by subsection [(m)] (l) of section 9 -150a, as
amended by this act.
(g) No such depository envelope shall be opened except by order of
a court of competent jurisdiction, by the State Elections Enforcement
Commission pursuant to a subpoena issued under subdivision (1) of
subsection (a) of section 9 -7b, as amended by this act, or within five
business days after an election, primary or referendum for the purpose
of a recanvass conducted pursuant to law. After such a recanvass the
depository envelopes and their contents shall be returned to the
municipal clerk and preserved for the stated period.
(h) For sixty days after the election, primary or referendum the
following shall be preserved by the municipal clerk as a public record
open to public inspection: (1) All executed absentee ballot application
forms and direction by registrar forms, as required by subsection (i) of
section 9-140, as amended by this act; (2) the list and index of applicants
for presidential or overseas ballots as required by section 9 -158h, as
amended by this act ; (3) the [numerical] list of unique ballot
identification numbers corresponding to absentee voting sets issued as
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required by subsection (e) of section 9 -140, as amended by this act ; (4)
the list of the names of persons whose absentee ballots are received by
the municipal clerk, as required by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of
section 9-140c, as amended by this act ; (5) all unused absentee ballots;
and (6) all envelopes containing ballots received by the municipal clerk
after the close of the polls, which shall remain unopened.
(i) For one hundred eighty days after the election, primary or
referendum the following shall be preserved by the municipal clerk as a
public record open to public inspection: (1) The affidavit regarding the
municipal clerk's endorsement of [inner] return envelopes, as required
by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-140c, as amended by this
act; and (2) the affidavit regarding delivery and receipt of ballots, as
required by subsection (j) of [said] section 9-140c, as amended by this
act.
Sec. 12. Section 9 -153b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) If any absentee ballot applicant applies for an additional absentee
ballot, such applicant shall note on the application the reason for
applying for an additional absentee ballot and shall return the absentee
voting set formerly issued to such applicant before another set is issued,
provided, if such applicant is unable to return such formerly issued set,
such application for an additional ballot shall be accompanied by a
statement signed under the penalties of false statement in absentee
balloting in which such applicant shall note the reason for such
applicant's inability to return such formerly issued set. If such applicant
fails to file such a statement, no additional set shall be issued to such
applicant. An application for an additional absentee ballot shall only be
made by an absentee ballot applic ant. Any additional absentee voting
set issued under this subsection shall only be either provided in person
to the applicant or mailed directly to the applicant at the bona fide
mailing address designated by such applicant.
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(b) For all absentee voting sets or portions thereof returned under
subsection (a) of this section, the municipal clerk shall mark the [serially-
numbered outer ] return envelope "rejected" and note the reasons for
rejection on all absentee ballots and envelopes so returned and shall seal
all such absentee voting sets or portions thereof in a package and retain
them in a safe place until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c, as
amended by this act. The municipal clerk shall keep a list of the names
of each absentee ballot applicant who has applied for more than one
absentee ballot, as provided in section 9 -140, as amended by this act ,
together with the [serial] unique ballot identification number appearing
on the [outer] return envelope of each absentee voting set issued to each
such applicant.
(c) If more than one absentee ballot is received from any elector, the
ballot of such elector last received by the municipal clerk shall be
counted if no absentee ballot of such elector has already been counted.
For all absentee ballots of such elector that ar e not counted, the
municipal clerk shall mark the [serially-numbered outer ] return
envelopes "rejected" and note the reasons for rejection and shall deliver
such ballots in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended by this act.
Sec. 13. Section 9 -153c of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) If a municipal clerk has omitted the name of a candidate, party or
office designation, inserted an incorrect or misspelled name of a
candidate, party or office designation, provided an absentee ballot
applicant with a ballot which is not the correct ba llot for [his] such
applicant's voting district, or incorrectly imprinted or failed to imprint
the designation of a state or local question on an absentee ballot in the
appropriate space, and if any such omission or error is likely to mislead
any voter, [he] the clerk shall, as soon as [he] such clerk becomes aware
of such omission or error, promptly mail to each applicant to whom
such an absentee ballot has been issued, a correct absentee ballot, the
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necessary envelopes for its return and instructions, a statement
explaining the error or omission including the correct name or question
and a copy of this section. The municipal clerk shall inform the Secretary
of the State when [he] such clerk proceeds under this subsection.
(b) Any additional absentee voting sets issued to applicants under
this section shall be issued [in consecutive ascending numerical order
based upon the serial number appearing on the outer] bearing a unique
ballot identification number on the envelope for return of ballots to the
municipal clerk, and the clerk shall keep a record of such unique ballot
identification numbers by making a notation on, or attaching a
memorandum to, the applicant's original application for an absentee
ballot.
(c) The municipal clerk shall keep a list containing the name, address
and voting district of each absentee ballot applicant who has been issued
more than one absentee ballot under this section and the [serial] unique
ballot identification number appearing on the [outer] return envelope of
each absentee voting set so issued. The list shall be kept with the list
required under section 9-140, as amended by this act.
(d) If more than one ballot is received from an applicant who has been
sent a correct ballot under subsection (a) of this section, the ballot last
received by the municipal clerk shall be counted if no ballot of such
applicant has already been counted. For all ballots of such applicant that
are not counted, the municipal clerk shall inscribe the word "rejected"
and note the reasons for rejection on the [outer] return envelope and
shall seal them, unopened, in a package and retain them in a safe place
until delivered in accordance with section 9 -140c, as amended by this
act.
Sec. 14. Section 9 -153e of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
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A member of the armed forces who is an elector or an applicant for
admission as an elector, or the member's spouse or dependent if living
where such member is stationed, may apply before a regular election for
a blank absentee ballot to vote for all office s being contested at the
election. The municipal clerk shall make such ballots available for this
purpose beginning not earlier than ninety days before the election.
Application shall be made upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of
the State or on the federal postcard application form provided pursuant
to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 100 Stat.
924, 42 USC 1973ff et seq., as amended from time to time, or any other
applicable law and shall be issued only if the applicant states that due
to military contingencies the regular application procedure, as set forth
in section 9 -140, as amended by this act , cannot be followed. Upon
receipt of the application, the municipal clerk shall issue [the ballot] in
the manner requested by the el ector, either by mail or by electronic
means, [as requested by the elector,] the ballot which shall be prescribed
and provided by the Secretary of the State [,] and a list of the offices to
be voted upon indicating the number of individuals for which each
elector may vote. As soon as a complete list of nominated candidates,
including the party designations of such candidates, and questions is
available, the municipal clerk shall send such list to each applicant. If
the list of candidates and questions is not available when the ballot is
issued, the municipal clerk shall include a statement indicating that such
list shall be [mailed] sent as soon as it becomes available. The ballot shall
permit the elector to vote by writing in the names of specific candidates
and offices for which [he] such elector is voting. The elector may also
vote on the questions in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the
State. If such ballot is issued by electronic means, the municipal clerk at
the time of such issuance shall include a certification, prescribed by the
Secretary of the State , [that] which the elector shall be required to
complete, sign and return with the completed ballot in order for such
ballot to be counted. If the military contingency no longer exists,
application for an additional ballot for all offices may be made pursuant
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to the provisions of section 9-153b, as amended by this act.
Sec. 15. Section 9 -153f of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-140, as amended by this
act, any elector who is living, or expects to be living or traveling before
and on [election] the day of an election or primary, outside the territorial
limits of the several states of the United States and the District of
Columbia and any member of the armed forces who is an elector or an
applicant for admission as an elector, or the member's spouse or
dependent if living where s uch member is stationed, may apply for a
blank absentee ballot to vote for all offices being contested at [an] such
election or primary. Application shall be made upon a form prescribed
by the Secretary of the State or on the federal postcard application form
provided pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act, 100 Stat. 924, 42 USC 1973ff et seq., as amended f rom time
to time, or any other applicable law. The municipal clerk receiving such
an application shall, as soon as a complete list of candidates and
questions to be voted upon at such election or primary becomes
available, issue [the ballot] in the manner requested by the elector, either
by mail or by electronic means, [as requested by the elector, ] the ballot
which shall be the blank ballot prescribed and provided by the Secretary
of the State under section 9-153e, as amended by this act. The municipal
clerk shall include with the ballot a complete list of the offices to be
voted upon, the number of individuals for which each elector may vote,
the candidates, and, in the case of an election, the party designation of
each candidate and questions to be vo ted upon. If such ballot is issued
by electronic means, the municipal clerk at the time of such issuance
shall include a certification , prescribed by the Secretary of the State ,
[that] which the elector shall be required to complete, sign and retu rn
with the completed ballot in order for such ballot to be counted. [If
application for an absentee ballot is made at the time of availability of
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regular absentee ballots as provided in section 9 -140, the provisions of
section 9-140 shall prevail.] Except as otherwise provided in this section,
the procedures governing the issuance of ballots under this section shall
conform as nearly as may be to the procedures provided in section 9 -
140, as amended by this act.
Sec. 16. Section 9 -158e of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) (1) A person applying for a presidential ballot in person shall
present: [(1)] (A) A current and valid photo identification, or [(2)] (B) a
copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check,
paycheck or other government document that shows the name and
address of the voter. [The application]
(2) A person applying for a presidential ballot by mail shall [be
accompanied by] include with such application: (A) A copy of a current
and valid photo identification, or (B) a copy of a current utility bill, bank
statement, government check, paycheck or government document that
shows the name and address of the voter.
(3) Upon receipt of an application for a presidential ballot under
sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, the municipal clerk, if satisfied that
the application is proper and that the applicant is qualified to vote under
said sections, shall forthwith [give or mail to the applicant, as the case
may be] issue in the manner requested by the applicant, either by mail
or by electronic means , a ballot for presidential and vice -presidential
electors for use at the election and instructions and envelopes for [its]
the return of such ballot.
(b) Upon receipt of an application for an overseas ballot, the
municipal clerk, if satisfied that the application is proper and that the
applicant is qualified to vote at the federal election for which the
application is made, pursuant to the provisions of sections 9 -158b to 9-
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158m, inclusive, shall forthwith [mail] issue in the manner requested by
the applicant, either by mail or by electronic means, a ballot containing
the names and offices of the candidates for federal office and
instructions and envelopes for [its return to the applicant] the return of
such ballot.
Sec. 17. Section 9 -158f of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) The voter, after marking [his] such voter's presidential ballot so as
to express [his] such voter's choice, shall fold it so as to conceal the
markings, and enclose it in [an inner] a return envelope furnished by the
town clerk for such purpose. The envelope shall have imprinted upon
its back a statement which shall be signed by the voter. The failure of
the voter to date the statement shall not invalidate the ballot. Such
statement shall be substantially as follows:
Certification of Presidential Voter
I, the undersigned, do hereby state under the penalties of false
statement in absentee balloting that:
(1) I am qualified to vote for Presidential and Vice -Presidential
electors in the town of .... Connecticut, at the presidential election to be
held on November ...., 20...
(2) I have not applied, nor do I intend to apply, for a ballot to vote for
Presidential and Vice -Presidential electors at said election from any
other town, city, county or state, and
(3) I have not voted, and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot
in said presidential election.
Dated at ...., this .... day of .... 20...
.... (Signature of voter)
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.... (Printed name of voter)
(b) The overseas elector, after marking [his] such elector's overseas
ballot so as to express [his] such elector's choice, shall fold it so as to
conceal the markings and enclose it in [an inner ] a return envelope
furnished by the town clerk for such purpose. The envelope shall have
imprinted upon its back a statement which shall be signed by the elector.
The failure of the elector to date the statement shall not invalidate the
ballot. The statement shall be substantially as follows:
Certification of Overseas Elector
I, the undersigned, do hereby state under the penalties of false
statement in absentee balloting that:
(1) I am qualified to vote for candidates for federal office in the town
of ...., Connecticut, at the federal election to be held on ...., 20...
(2) I have not applied, nor do I intend to apply, for a ballot to vote for
candidates for federal office at said election from any other town, city or
county in Connecticut or in any other state or election district of any
state or territory or any territory or possession of the United States.
(3) I have not voted, and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot
in said federal election.
Dated at ...., this .... day of ...., 20...
.... (Signature of overseas elector)
.... (Printed name of overseas elector)
Sec. 18. Section 9 -158g of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The voter shall sign the certification upon the [inner] return envelope,
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[securely seal it, enclose it in an outer serially -numbered envelope ]
insert the completed ballot in such return envelope, which shall bear a
return label displaying the unique ballot identification number both in
text format and as a scannable barcode , and return it to the municipal
clerk of the town in which [he] such voter is qualified to vote. The clerk
shall keep it in [his] the clerk's office until delivered by [him] such clerk
to the registrars of voters at the same time and in the same manner as [is
provided for absentee ballots ] provided in section 9 -140c, as amended
by this act. If the ballot is returned by a person other than the voter or
the United States Postal Service, the person delivering the ballot shall
sign [his] such person's name and address and indicate the date and
time of [its] such ballot's delivery on the [outer] return envelope in the
clerk's presence. The ballot, to be cast, shall be returned so that [it] such
ballot is received by the [town] clerk not later than the close of the polls
on the day of the election.
Sec. 19. Section 9 -158h of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The clerk shall prepare and keep open to public inspection a list of all
persons who have applied under sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, to
vote as presidential voters or overseas electors with their names, voting
addresses and application dates toget her with the [serial number]
unique ballot identification numbers of the return envelopes issued, and
shall maintain an alphabetical index of the list for a period of one
hundred eighty days after the election or primary.
Sec. 20. Section 9 -159p of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Any elector may challenge the right of any person offering to vote
by absentee ballot based upon false identity, disenfranchisement for
conviction of a felony or lack of bona fide residence. The failure of an
elector to challenge, pursuant to this section, the right of a person to vote
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by absentee ballot shall not bar such elector from bringing an action to
contest the primary or election under section 9-323, as amended by this
act, 9-324, as amended by this act , 9-328, as amended by this act, or 9-
329a, as amended by this act , based on the alleged invalidity of the
absentee ballot cast at such primary or election.
(b) Challenges shall not be made indiscriminately and may only be
made if the challenger knows or reasonably believes that the right of the
person offering to vote by absentee ballot should be denied on one or
more of the grounds specified in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Challenges made concerning ballots that the municipal clerk has
not delivered to the registrars of voters for counting pursuant to sections
9-140c, as amended by this act, and 9-147a shall be made in writing to
the municipal clerk. Challenges made concerning ballots that the
municipal clerk has delivered to the registrars of voters for counting
pursuant to sections 9-140c, as amended by this act, and 9-147a shall be
made in writing to the central counting moderator or the moderator of
the polling place at which the ballot is to be counted pursuant to
subsection (b) of section 9-147a. All challenges shall be made under oath.
(d) Immediately upon receipt of a challenge, the municipal clerk shall
send copies of the challenge to each registrar of voters and to the person
offering to vote by absentee ballot. The municipal clerk shall send the
copy of the challenge to the person offering to vote by first class certified
mail to the mailing address shown on the application for the absentee
ballot. The municipal clerk shall furnish copies of any written response
to the challenge to each registrar of voters. The municipal clerk shall
deliver the ballot in the [inner] return envelope, which shall not be
opened, [the serially -numbered envelope ] and any other evidence
relevant to the challenge, to the registrars, who shall sign a receipt for
the same.
(e) Immediately upon receipt of a challenge, the moderator shall
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deliver copies of the challenge to each registrar of voters. The moderator
shall also deliver, or designate another election, primary or referendum
official to deliver, the ballot in the [inner] return envelope, which shall
not be opened, [the serially -numbered envelope ] and any other
evidence relevant to the challenge to the registrars, who shall sign a
receipt for the same.
(f) The registrars of voters shall examine the challenge, any written
response to the challenge and any other evidence or information they
deem relevant to the challenge, including the [inner] return envelope,
which shall not be opened, and shall determine whether the challenge
should be upheld. If the registrars fail to agree that the challenge should
be upheld, it shall be deemed to have been denied.
(g) The registrars of voters shall make the determination not earlier
than noon of the day of the election, primary or referendum at which
the ballot is submitted and not later than the time when the counting of
all other absentee ballots at the election, prim ary or referendum has
been completed.
(h) The registrars of voters shall notify, in writing, the municipal clerk
and the central counting moderator, or the moderator of the polling
place at which the ballot is to be counted pursuant to subsection (b) of
section 9 -147a, of their determination. If t he challenge is denied, the
absentee ballot shall be delivered by the registrars to the appropriate
location for counting pursuant to law. If the challenge is upheld, the
registrars shall mark the word "rejected" on the [serially-numbered
outer] return envelope and note the reasons for rejection, and shall
return it together with all other evidence received in connection with the
challenge to the municipal clerk who shall retain the same until
delivered in accordance with section 9 -140c, as amended by this act ,
except that a challenge to a ballot which the municipal clerk has
delivered to the registrars of voters for counting pursuant to sections 9-
140c, as amended by this act, and 9 -147a shall be returned to the
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moderator to whom the challenge was made.
(i) Within five days after the election, primary or referendum the
municipal clerk shall send to the person whose offer to vote was
challenged a copy of the written determination of the registrars and a
statement as to the disposition of the absentee ballot.
Sec. 21. Subsections (g) to (l), inclusive, of section 9 -159q of the
general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(g) The registrars or their designees, as the case may be, shall jointly
deliver the ballots to the respective applicants at the institution and shall
jointly supervise the voting of such ballots. The ballots shall be returned
to the registrars or their design ees by the electors in the envelopes
provided and in accordance with the provisions of sections 9 -137, as
amended by this act, [9-139] and 9-140a, as amended by this act . If any
elector asks for assistance in voting [his] such elector's ballot, two
registrars or their designees of different political parties or, for a
primary, their designees of different candidates, shall render such
assistance as they deem necessary and appropriate to enable such
elector to vote [his] the ballot. The registrars or their designees may
reject a ballot when (1) the elector declines to vote a ballot, or (2) the
registrars or their designees are unable to determine how the elector
who has requested their assistance desires to vote the ballot. W hen the
registrars or their designees reject a ballot, they shall mark the [serially-
numbered outer ] return envelope "rejected" and note the reasons for
rejection. Nothing in this section shall limit the right of an elector to vote
[his] the ballot in secret.
(h) After all ballots have been voted or marked "rejected" in
accordance with subsection (g) of this section, the registrars or their
designees shall jointly deliver or mail them in the envelopes, which shall
be sealed, to the appropriate town clerk, who shall retain them until
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delivered in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended by this act.
(i) When an institution is located in a town having a primary, the
registrar in that town of the party holding the primary shall appoint for
each such institution, one designee of the party -endorsed candidates
and one designee of the contestants from the lists , if any, submitted by
the party -endorsed candidates and contestants. Such registrar shall
notify all party-endorsed candidates and all contestants of their right to
submit a list of potential designees under this section. Each party -
endorsed candidate and each contestant may submit to such registrar in
writing a list of names of potential designees, provided any such list
shall be submitted not later than ten days before the primary. If no such
lists are submitted within said period, such registrar sha ll appoint one
designee of the party -endorsed candidates and one designee of the
contestants. Each designee appointed pursuant to this section shall be
sworn to the faithful performance of [his] such designee's duties, and
the registrar shall file a certificate of each designation with [his] the town
clerk.
(j) Any registrar of voters who has filed a request that the absentee
balloting at an institution be supervised and any registrar required to
conduct a supervision of voting under this section, who neglects to
perform any of the duties required of [him] such registrar by this section
so as to cause any elector to lose [his] such elector's vote shall be guilty
of a class A misdemeanor. Any registrar from the same town as a
registrar who has filed such a request may waive [his] the right to
participate in the supervision of absentee balloting.
(k) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, if the spouse or a
child of a registrar of voters or a dependent relative residing in the
registrar's household is a candidate in the election or primary for which
supervised absentee voting is to occur, such registrar shall not supervise
such absentee voting but may designate the deputy registrar of voters
or an assistant registrar of voters, appointed by the registrar pursuant to
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section 9-192, to supervise the absentee voting in [his] such registrar's
place.
(l) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the
Secretary of the State may suspend the supervision of absentee balloting
under this section and section 9 -159r, provided the Secretary (1)
suspends such supervision of absentee balloting in recognition of a
declaration by the Governor of a civil preparedness emergency,
pursuant to section 28 -9, or a public health emergency, pursuant to
section 19-131a, and (2) submits a report, in accordance with section 11-
4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
cognizance of matters relating to elections advising of such suspension
and specifying alternative actions to be taken to provide opportunities
for absentee voting by electors described in this section and section 9 -
159r.
Sec. 22. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9 -7b of the 2026
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(1) To make investigations on its own initiative or with respect to
statements filed with the commission by the Secretary of the State, any
town clerk or any registrar of voters or upon written complaint under
oath by any individual, with respect to alleged violations of any
provision of the general statutes relating to any election or referendum,
any primary held p ursuant to section 9 -423, 9 -425 or 9 -464 or any
primary held pursuant to a special act , or alleged violations of any
regulation adopted under any such provision , and to hold hearings
when the commission deems necessary to investigate violations of any
provisions of the general statutes relating to any such election, primary
or referendum, or violations of any regulation adopted under any such
provisions, and for the purpose of such hearings the commission may
administer oaths, examine witnesses and receive oral and documentary
evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses under
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procedural rules the commission shall adopt, to compel their attendance
and to require the production for examination of any books and papers
which the commission deems relevant to any matter under investigation
or in question. Until the commission determi nes that it is necessary to
investigate a violation, commission members and staff shall keep
confidential any information concerning a complaint or preliminary
investigation, except upon request of the treasurer, deputy treasurer,
chairperson or candidate affiliated with a committee that is the subject
of the complaint or preliminary investigation. In connection with its
investigation of any alleged violation of any provision of chapter 145, or
of any provision of section 9 -359 or section 9 -359a, as amended by this
act, the commission shall also have the power to subpoena any
municipal clerk and to require the production for examination of any
absentee ballot, [inner and outer] return envelope from which any such
ballot has been removed, depository envelope containing any such
ballot or [inner or outer] return envelope as provided in sections 9-150a,
as amended by this act, and 9-150b, as amended by this act, and any
other record, form or document as provided in section 9 -150b, as
amended by this act , in connection with the election, primary or
referendum to which the investigation relates. In case of a refusal to
comply with any subpoena issued pursuant to this subsection or to
testify with respect to any matter upon which that person may be
lawfully interrogated, the superior court for the judicial district of
Hartford, on application of the commission, may issue an order
requiring such person to comply with such subpoena and to testify;
failure to obey any such order of the court may be punished by the court
as a contempt thereof. In any matter under investigation which concerns
the operation or inspection of or outcome recorded on any voting
tabulator, the commission may issue an order to the registrars of voters
to impound such tabulator until the investigation is completed;
Sec. 23. Subsection (e) of section 9 -23r of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective from
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passage):
(e) If an individual described in subsection (a) of this section does not
submit the identification described in subsection (a) of this section as
part of the individual's application for admission as an elector, and if the
individual votes by absentee ballot in an election for federal office, the
individual shall enclose in the [outer absentee ballot envelope, and not
in the inner envelope with the ballot ] additional envelope provided by
the municipal clerk pursuant to section 9 -140a, as amended by this ac t,
for the return of such applicant's identification : (1) A copy of a current
and valid photo identification, or (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank
statement, government check, paycheck, or other government
document that shows the name and address of the voter. If an individual
does not meet the req uirements of this subsection in an election for
federal office, such [individual’s] individual's absentee ballot shall be
processed in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (A) of
subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 9 -150a, as amended by this
act, and treated as a provisional ballot for federal office only, pursuant
to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.
Sec. 24. Section 9 -359a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) A person is guilty of false statement in absentee balloting when
[he] such person intentionally makes a false written statement in or on ,
or signs the name of another person to , the application for an absentee
ballot or the [inner] return envelope accompanying any such ballot,
which [he] such person does not believe to be true and which statement
or signature is intended to mislead a public servant in the performance
of [his] such public servant's official function.
(b) False statement in absentee balloting is a class D felony.
Sec. 25. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of
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section 9-369b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(B) Each such explanatory text shall be prepared by the municipal
clerk and shall specify the intent and purpose of each such proposal or
question. Such explanatory text shall not advocate either the approval
or disapproval of the proposal or question. The municip al clerk shall
cause such question or proposal and such explanatory text to be printed
in sufficient supply for public dissemination and shall also provide for
the printing of such explanations of proposals or questions on posters
of a size to be determined by said clerk. At least three such posters shall
be posted at each polling place at which electors will be voting on such
proposals or questions. Any posters printed in excess of the number
required by this section to be posted may be displayed b y said clerk at
the clerk's discretion at locations which are frequented by the public.
The explanatory text shall also be furnished to each absentee ballot
applicant pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 9-140,
as amended by this act . Each such explanatory text shall be subject to
the approval of the municipal attorney.
Sec. 26. Section 9 -369a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
Whenever by law it is provided that a question may be submitted to
a vote of the electors of a municipality at an election, as that term is
defined in section 9-1:
(a) The electors of the municipality [entitled to vote ] voting by
absentee ballot at the election under the provisions of section 9 -135, as
amended by this act, [shall be entitled to ] may vote upon any such
question.
(b) When the clerk of the municipality determines that the necessary
action has been taken for submission of the question, [he] the clerk shall,
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at least forty -five days prior to the election, file in the office of the
Secretary of the State a statement setting forth the designation of the
question as it is to appear on the ballot at the election, the date upon
which the submitting action was taken and the reference to the law
under which the action was taken. Such designation shall be in the form
of a question, as provided in section 9 -369. Whenever it is specifically
provided in the general statutes that any such question may be
approved for such submission within the period of forty-five days prior
to such an election, and action is taken to submit a question within such
period, the clerk of the municipality shall file the statement required by
this subsection with the Secretary of the State immed iately upon the
taking of such action.
(c) When action is taken for submission of a question, from the time
of such action through the day of the election, the clerk of the
municipality shall make the full text of the question and the designation
which is to appear upon the ballot available for public inspection. If the
designation is not prescribed by law, the clerk shall phrase the
designation of the question in a form suitable for printing on the ballot.
The warning of the election shall include a statement that the question
is to be voted upon, the designation of the qu estion to appear on the
ballot, and a statement that the full text of the question is available for
public inspection in the clerk's office.
(d) The moderator or head moderator of the election shall file the
results of the vote on each such question and the returns of the election
with the Secretary of the State in the manner prescribed under the
provisions of section 9-314 or other applicable law.
Sec. 27. Subsection (b) of section 9 -369c of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2026):
(b) At any such referendum, any person who [would be] is eligible to
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vote on the question or proposal [if he appeared in person and is unable
to] and who will not appear in person [for one or more of the reasons
set forth in section 9-135,] may cast [his] such person's vote by absentee
ballot, in accordance with the requirements of this section.
Sec. 28. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of
section 9 -163aa of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes, as
amended by section 69 of public act 26 -1, is repealed and the following
is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an individual
who enrolls in a political party during a period of early voting at a
primary from voting by absentee ballot [, if eligible,] or in person on the
day of such primary.
Sec. 29. Subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of
section 9 -164 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(a) (1) (A) On and after January 1, [2022] 2027, and notwithstanding
any contrary provision of law, there shall be held in each municipality
[,] biennially, or quadrennially if the charter of such municipality so
provides, a municipal election on the Tuesday after the first Monday of
November of the odd -numbered years, except that such municipal
election may be held on the first Monday of May of the odd -numbered
years if the legislative body of such municipality so determin es by a
three-fourths vote.
Sec. 30. Subsection (b) of section 9 -19b of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective from
passage):
(b) Except during the period between the last session for the
admission of electors prior to an election and the day following that
election, either registrar of voters, or a deputy registrar or assistant
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registrar appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 9 -192
may examine the qualifications of any person applying to be admitted
as an elector in the town and, except for applications submitted
pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection, approve such application
submitted in person (1) at the office of such official; (2) at any enrollment
session of the registrars of voters; (3) at any public place; (4) at any time
and at any place in the town, other than a public place, that is mutually
agreed upon by such official and the person applying to be admitted as
an elector in the town ; or (5) at any public office of the Department of
Motor Vehicles, Labor Department or Department of Social Services
which is located in the town in which the registrar, deputy registrar or
assistant registrar serves, if written notice of the date and time is given
seven days in advance thereof to the commissioner of such department.
Upon receipt of a written notice under subdivision (5) of this subsection,
the commissi oner of the department may designate a portion of the
public office which shall be used for the admission of electors. The other
registrar, or any deputy or assistant registrar , shall be permitted to be
present during the admission of any person pursuant to subdivisions (4)
and (5) of this subsection. Applications accepted and examined prior to
the last session for admission of electors prior to an election pursuant to
subdivision (4) of this subsection may be approved after such last
session. The admission of any person pursuant to subdivision (4) shall
be effective on the date when both registrars approve such application.
The registrar who receives such application from the applicant shall
give written notice to the other registrar within one business day after
such receipt and the registrars shall forthwith act on such applications.
No rejection of any application under subdivision (4) of this subsection
shall be effective until the registrar has mailed to the other registrar and
the applicant a notice stating any reason for the rejection. Any applicant
whose application is rejected may appeal under the provisions of section
9-31l.
Sec. 31. Section 9 -258 of the general statutes is repealed and the
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following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
(a) (1) For municipalities with more than one voting district, the
election officials of each polling place shall be electors of the state and
shall consist of [(1)] (A) one moderator, [(2)] (B) at least one but not more
than two official checkers, [(3)] (C) two assistant registrars of voters of
opposite political parties, each of whom shall be residents of the town,
[(4)] (D) at least one but not more than two ballot clerks, and [(5)] (E) at
least one but not more than two voting tabulator tenders for each voting
tabulator in use at the polling place. Head moderators, central counting
moderators and absentee ballot counters appointed pursuant to law
shall also be deemed election officials.
(2) A known candidate for any office shall not serve as an election
official on election day or serve at the polls in any capacity, except that
(A) a municipal clerk or a registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the
same office, may perform his or her offi cial duties, [and] (B) a deputy
registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters,
may perform his or her official duties , and (C) an assistant municipal
clerk, who is a candidate for the office of municipal clerk, may perfor m
his or her official duties.
(3) If, in the opinion of the registrar of voters, the public convenience
of the electors in any voting district so requires, provision shall be made
for an additional line or lines of electors at the polling place and, if more
than one line of electors is es tablished, at least one but not more than
two additional official checkers and at least one but not more than two
ballot clerks for each line of electors shall be appointed and, if more than
one tabulator is used in a polling place, at least one but not more than
two additional voting tabulator tenders shall be appointed for each
additional machine so used. [Head moderators, central counting
moderators and absentee ballot counters appointed pursuant to law
shall also be deemed election officials.]
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(b) (1) For municipalities with one voting district, the election officials
of such polling place shall be electors of the state and shall consist of
[(1)] (A) one moderator, [(2)] (B) at least one but not more than two
official checkers, [(3)] (C) at least one but not more than two voting
tabulator tenders for each voting tabulator in use at the polling place,
and [(4)] (D) at least one but not more than two ballot clerks.
Additionally, such election officials may consist of two registrars of
voters of opposite political parties, or two assistant registrars of voters
of opposite political parties, as the case may be, subject to the
requirements of sections 9 -259 and 9 -439, provided if the registrars of
voters are present in the polling place, they shall app oint at least one
designee to be present in their office. Head moderators, central counting
moderators and absentee ballot counters appointed pursuant to law
shall also be deemed election officials.
(2) A known candidate for any office shall not serve as an election
official on election day or serve at the polls in any capacity, except that
(A) a municipal clerk or a registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the
same office, may perform his or her offi cial duties, [and] (B) a deputy
registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters,
may perform his or her official duties , and (C) an assistant municipal
clerk, who is a candidate for the office of municipal clerk, may perfor m
his or her official duties.
(3) If, in the opinion of the registrar of voters, the public convenience
of the electors in any voting district so requires, provision shall be made
for an additional line or lines of electors at the polling place and, if more
than one line of electors is es tablished, at least one but not more than
two additional official checkers for each line of electors shall be
appointed and, if more than one tabulator is used in a polling place, at
least one but not more than two additional voting tabulator tenders shall
be appointed for each additional tabulator so used. [Head moderators,
central counting moderators and absentee ballot counters appointed
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pursuant to law shall be deemed to be election officials.]
(c) No election official shall perform services for any party or
candidate on election day nor appear at any political party headquarters
prior to eight o'clock p.m. on election day.
Sec. 32. Section 9 -190b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
If [a registrar of voters fails] one or more registrars of voters or deputy
registrars of voters of a municipality fail to attain or maintain,
whichever is applicable, certification required under subsection (a) of
section 9-192a, as amended by this act, or [is the subject] are the subjects
of an investigation of any matter related to the duties of [such registrar's
office] the office of the registrars of voters of such municipality resulting
from a statement filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission
by the Secretary of the State, the Secretary may issue a written
instruction, pursuant to section 9 -3, as amended by this act , to [such
registrar] any or all such registrars or deputy registrars to appear before
the Secretary on the date and at such time as provided in such
instruction. The Secretary shall cite the reasons for such instruction and
inform each such registrar or deputy registrar so appearing that such
appearance is for the purpose of determining whether to temporarily
relieve such registrar or deputy registrar of his or her duties as provided
in this section. [The registrar shall appear before the Secretary and] Each
such registrar or deputy registrar so appearing shall be given a fair
opportunity to show cause, if any, why such registrar or deputy
registrar should not be temporarily relieved of his or her duties. If, after
such opportunity, the Secretary determines that the public interest in the
orderly conduct of elections would be so served, the Secretary may
temporarily relieve any such registrar or deputy registrar of his or her
duties and, in the case of a registrar so temporarily relieved, require the
deputy registrar [of voters] appointed by such registrar to adm inister
the operations of such office until such certification has been attained or
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maintained or until the State Elections Enforcement Commission has
completed such investigation and taken final action on such matter. The
proceeding described in this section shall not be considered a contested
case under chapter 54. Nothing in this secti on shall prohibit a
municipality from paying the salary of any such registrar of voters or
deputy registrar of voters while such resolution is pending.
Sec. 33. (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) If any municipal official,
including any election worker, as defined in section 9 -364a of the
general statutes, as amended by this act, receives from any private or
governmental entity, individual or official a subpoena, warrant or other
request for or t o inspect any record or recording of or produced at, or
any tabulator, ballot box or other device used in the conduct of, any
election, primary or referendum, such municipal official shall, not later
than thirty-six hours after the receipt of such subpoena, warrant or other
request, provide a copy of such subpoena, warrant or other request to
the offices of the Attorney General and the Secretary of the State. The
offices of the Attorney General and the Secretary of the State shall post
notice, on each of said offices' Internet web sites, of the methods by
which a municipal official may provide such copy to said offices. In the
case of the Secretary of the State receiving such a subpoena, warrant or
other request, the Sec retary shall immediately provide a copy of such
subpoena, warrant or other request to the office of the Attorney General.
Sec. 34. (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) (a) As used in this section,
"election worker" means any municipal clerk, assistant municipal clerk,
registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters or election official
described in section 9-258 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
(b) The Attorney General may seek preliminary or permanent
injunctive, declaratory or other appropriate equitable relief to prevent
or redress interference in connection with any election for presidential
electors, a senator in Congress or representative in Congress by bringing
a complaint to any judge of the Supreme Court, in which the Attorney
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General shall set out the claimed interference. The Attorney General
shall file a certification attached to the complaint indicating that a copy
of the complaint has been sent by first -class mail or delivered to the
Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and
any other interested party. If such complaint is made prior to such
election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on
the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the
Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission.
If such complaint is made subsequent to the election, it shall be brought
not later than fourteen days after the election. Upon receipt of such
complaint, such judge shall forthwith order any injuncti ve or
declaratory relief necessary to preserve or restore the status quo,
including, but not limited to, ordering that an election worker retain
custody of any record or recording of or produced at, or any tabulator,
ballot box or other device used in the conduct of, such election. Upon a
showing of exigent circumstances, such judge may issue an immediate
ex parte order granting such relief as such judge deems appropriate.
Such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such
complaint, upon a day not more than five or less than three days from
the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three or
more than five days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose
election may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to a ny
election worker who may be affected by the decision upon such hearing,
to the Secretary of the State, to the State Elections Enforcement
Commission and to any other party or parties whom such judge deems
proper parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such
complaint. Such judge, with two other judges of the Supreme Court to
be designated by the Chief Court Administrator, shall, on the day fixed
for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the
parties. If sufficient r eason is shown, such judges may order that the
State Elections Enforcement Commission maintain custody of any
record or recording of or produced at, or any tabulator, ballot box or
other device used in the conduct of, such election. If sufficient reason is
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shown, such judges may order permanent injunctive, declaratory or
other appropriate equitable relief in connection with the State Elections
Enforcement Commission or election worker custody of any record or
recording of or produced at, or any tabulator, ballot box or other device
used in the conduct of, such election.
Sec. 35. Section 9-311 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes,
as amended by sections 91 and 92 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(a) If, within three days after an election, it appears to the moderator
that there is a discrepancy in the returns of any voting district, such
moderator shall forthwith within said period summon, by written
notice delivered personally, the recanvass officials, consisting of at least
two checkers of different political parties and at least two absentee ballot
counters of different political parties who served at such election, and
the registrars of voters of the municipality in which the election was
held and such other officials as may be required to conduct such
recanvass. Such written notice shall require the clerk or registrars of
voters, as the case may be, to bring with them the depository envelopes
required by section 9-150a, as amended by [this act] public act 26-1, the
package of write -in ballots provided for in section 9 -310, the absentee
ballot applications, the list of absentee ballot applications, the registry
list and the moderators' returns and shall require such recanvass
officials to meet at a specified time not later than the fifth business day
after such election to recanvass the returns of each voting tabulator ,
except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, and all absentee
ballots and write-in ballots used in the municipality in such election. If
any of such recanvass officials are unavailable at the time of the
recanvass, the registrar of voters of the same political party as that of the
recanvass official unable to attend shall designate another elector
having previous train ing and experience in the conduct of elections to
take such recanvass official's place. Before such recanvass is made, such
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moderator shall give notice, in writing, to the chairperson of the town
committee of each political party which nominated candidates for the
election, and, in the case of a state election, not later than twenty -four
hours after a determination is made regarding the need for a recanvass
to the Secretary of the State, of the time and place where such recanvass
is to be made; and each such chairperson may send party
representatives to be present at such recanvass. Such party
representatives may observe, but no one other than a recanvass official
may take part in the recanvass. If a party representative notes any
irregularity in the recanvass procedure, such party representative shall
be permitted to present evidence of such irregularity in any contest
relating to the election.
(b) The moderator shall determine the place or places , which may
include the office of the Secretary of the State, where the recanvass shall
be conducted and, if such recanvass is held before the tabulators are
boxed and collected in the manner required by section 9 -266, the
moderator may require that such recanvass of such tabulators be
conducted in each place where the tabulators are located, or the
moderator may require that such tabulators be removed to one central
place where such recanvass shall be co nducted. All recanvassing
procedures shall be open to public observation, subject to the provisions
of subsection (d) of this section. Such recanvass officials shall, in the
presence of such moderator and registrars of voters, make a record of
the number on the seal and the number on the protective counter, if one
is provided, on each voting tabulator specified by such moderator. Such
registrars of voters in the presence of such moderator shall turn over the
keys of each such tabulator to such recanvass off icials, and such
recanvass officials, in the presence of such registrars of voters and
moderator, shall immediately proceed to recanvass the vote cast
thereon, and shall then open the package of absentee ballots and
recanvass the vote cast thereon. In the course of the recanvass of the
absentee ballot vote the recanvass officials shall check all [outer] return
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envelopes for absentee ballots [against the inner envelopes for such
ballots and] against the registry list to verify postmarks, addresses and
registry list markings and also to determine whether the number of
envelopes from which absentee ballots have been removed is the same
as the number of persons checked as having voted by absentee ballot.
The write-in ballots shall also be recanvassed at this time. Any party
representative present shall have a right to view each ballot as it is being
recanvassed by th e recanvass officials, so as to be able to discern the
markings on such ballot. All of the recanvass officials shall use the same
forms for tallies and returns as were used at the original canvass and the
absentee ballot counters shall also sign the tallies.
(c) The votes shall be announced and recorded in the manner
prescribed in section 9-309 on return forms provided by the registrars of
voters and appended thereto shall be a statement signed by the
moderator indicating the time and place of the recanvass and the names,
addresses, titles and party affiliations of the recanvass officials. The
write-in ballots shall be replaced in a properly secured sealed package.
Upon the completion of such recanvass, any tabulator used in such
recanvass shall be locked and sealed, the keys thereof shall immediately
be returned to such registrars of voters and such tabulator shall remain
so locked until the expiration of fourteen days after such election or for
such longer period as is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The absentee ballots shall be replaced in their wrappers and be resealed
by the moderator in the presence of the recanvass officials. Upon the
completion of such recanvass, such moderator and at least two of the
recanvass officials of different politi cal parties shall forthwith prepare
and sign such return forms which shall contain a written statement
giving the result of such recanvass for each tabulator and each package
of absentee ballots whose returns were so recanvassed, setting forth
whether or n ot the original canvass was correctly made and stating
whether or not the discrepancy still remains unaccounted for. Such
return forms containing such statement shall forthwith be filed by the
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moderator in the office of such clerk. If such recanvass reveals that the
original canvass of returns was not correctly made, such return forms
containing such statement so filed with the clerk shall constitute a
corrected return. In the case of a state el ection, a recanvass return shall
be made in duplicate on a form prescribed and provided by the
Secretary of the State, and the moderator shall file one copy with the
Secretary of the State and one copy with the town clerk not later than
ten days after the election. Such recanvass return shall be substituted for
the original return and shall have the same force and effect as an original
return.
(d) (1) The moderator may, when any disorder arises that interferes
with the conduct of a recanvass, including any attempt by a person other
than a recanvass official to take part in such recanvass or by such a
person to communicate with a recanvass official, and the offender
refuses to submit to the moderator's lawful authority, order that the
offender be removed by the recanvass officials from such recanvass until
the offender conforms to order or, if need be, until such recanvass is
completed.
(2) Each political party or, in the case of an office subject to recanvass
for which there is more than one candidate from a political party, each
candidate may appoint one representative to communicate directly with
the moderator during a recanvass.
(e) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) to (c),
inclusive, of this section, a recanvass under this section may be
conducted with, instead of the voting tabulator or voting tabulators
used at the election, either a different voting tabulat or or a high -speed
voting tabulator whenever (A) such recanvass is conducted at the office
of the Secretary of the State, or (B) such recanvass is conducted in the
municipality in which such election was held and both (i) the moderator
requests to borrow f rom the Secretary of the State either a different
voting tabulator or a high-speed voting tabulator for such purpose, and
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(ii) the Secretary agrees to such request.
(2) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this
subsection.
[(e)] (f) As used in this section, (1) "moderator" means, in the case of
municipalities not divided into voting districts, the moderator of the
election and, in the case of municipalities divided into voting districts,
the head moderator of the election, and (2) "re gistrars of voters", in a
municipality where there are different registrars of voters for different
voting districts, means the registrars of voters in the voting district in
which, at the last -preceding election, the presiding officer for the
purpose of declaring the result of the vote of the whole municipality was
moderator.
Sec. 36. Section 9-311a of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes,
as amended by section 93 of public act 26 -1, is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(a) For purposes of this section, state, district and municipal offices
shall be as defined in section 9-372 except that the office of presidential
elector shall be deemed a state office. Forthwith after a regular or special
election for municipal office, or forthwith upon tabulation of the vote
for state and district offices by the Secretary of the State, when at any
such election the plurality of an elected candidate for an office over the
vote for a defeated candidate receiving the next highest number of votes
was either (1) less than a vote equivalent to one -half of one per cent of
the total number of votes cast for the office but not more than two
thousand votes, or (2) less than twenty votes, there shall be a recanvass
of the returns of the voting tabu lator or voting tabulators and absentee
ballots used in such election for such office unless such defeated
candidate or defeated candidates, as the case may be, for such office file
a written statement waiving this right to such canvass with the
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municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office, or with the Secretary of
the State in the case of a state or district office. In the case of state and
district offices, the Secretary of the State upon tabulation of the votes for
such offices shall notify the town clerks in the state or district, as the case
may be, of the state and district offices which qualify for an automatic
recanvass and shall also notify each candidate for any such office. When
a recanvass is to be held, the municipal clerk shall p romptly notify the
moderator, as defined in section 9 -311, as amended by [this act] public
act 26 -1, who shall proceed forthwith to cause a recanvass of such
returns of the office in question in the same manner as is provided in
section 9-311, as amended by [this act] public act 26-1. In addition to the
notice required under section 9-311, as amended by [this act] public act
26-1, the moderator shall , before such recanvass is [made] conducted,
give notice in writing to each candidate for a municipal office that
qualifies for an automatic recanvass under this section of the time when
[,] and place, which may include the office of the Secretary of the State,
where [,] such recanvass is to be [made to each candidate for a municipal
office which qualifies for an automatic recanvass under t his section ]
conducted. Nothing in this section shall preclude the right to judicial
proceedings on behalf of a candidate under any provision of chapter
149. For the purposes of this section, "the total number of votes cast for
the office" means, in the case of multiple opening s for the same office,
the total number of electors checked as having voted in the state, district,
municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be. When a
recanvass of the returns for an office for which there are multiple
openings is required by the provisions of this section, the returns for all
candidates for all openings for the office shall be recanvassed. If a
candidate notes any irregularity in the recanvass procedure, such
candidate shall be permitted to present evidence of such irregularity in
any contest relating to the election.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this
section, a recanvass under this section may be conducted with, instead
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of the voting tabulator or voting tabulators used at the election, either a
different voting tabulator or a high -speed voting tabulator whenever
(A) such recanvass is conducted at the office of the Secretary of the State,
or (B) such recanvass is conducted in the municipality in which such
election was held and both (i) the moderator requests to borrow from
the Secretary of the State either a different voting tabulator or a high -
speed voting tabulator for such purpose, and (ii) the Secretary agrees to
such request.
(2) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this
subsection.
Sec. 37. Section 9 -311b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(a) If the electors fail to elect a candidate for any office by reason of
an equality of votes at any election, there shall be a recanvass of the
returns for such office, in the same manner as is provided in section 9 -
311, as amended by this act, unless, prior to the time of such recanvass,
all but one of the candidates so receiving an equal number of votes dies,
withdraws his name or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold such
office.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this
section, a recanvass under this section may be conducted with, instead
of the voting tabulator or voting tabulators used at the election, a
different voting tabulator or a high -speed voting t abulator whenever
(A) such recanvass is conducted at the office of the Secretary of the State,
or (B) such recanvass is conducted in the municipality in which such
election was held and both (i) the moderator requests to borrow from
the Secretary of the St ate either a different voting tabulator or a high -
speed voting tabulator for such purpose, and (ii) the Secretary agrees to
such request.
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(2) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this
subsection.
Sec. 38. Section 9 -23l of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Registrars of voters shall accept the mail voter registration
application form prescribed by the [Federal] Election Assistance
Commission pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993,
P.L. 103 -31, as amended from time to time, as an application for
admission as an elector for all elections in Connecticut. The procedures
in subsections (c), (d), (f) and (g) of section 9 -23g which are not
inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103 -
31, as amended from time to time, shall apply to applications made
under this section.
Sec. 39. Section 9 -23m of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
The Secretary of the State shall make available for distribution the
mail voter registration application form prescribed by the [Federal]
Election Assistance Commission pursuant to the National Voter
Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time. The
secretary may make any changes in any forms required by this title
which, in the opinion of the secretary, are necessary to cause said forms
to conform to the provisions of applicable federal law.
Sec. 40. (NEW) ( Effective July 1, 2026 ) Any citizen who has not yet
attained the age of eighteen years but who will have attained the age of
eighteen years on or before the day of an election, and who is otherwise
qualified to be an elector and has applied for admission as an elector,
may vote at such election during the period of early voting or by
absentee ballot.
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Sec. 41. Section 9 -374 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(a) No authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof
having jurisdiction over the conduct of any primary shall permit the
name of a party -endorsed candidate for an office or position to be
printed on the official ballot to be used at any such pri mary unless a
copy of the party rules regulating such party and its method of selecting
party-endorsed candidates for nomination to such office or for election
as town committee members, as the case may be, has been filed in the
office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before such
candidate is selected under such method of endorsement. The selection
of delegates to conventions shall not be valid unless at least one copy of
the party rules regulating the manner of making such selection has been
filed in the office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before
such selection is made. A duplicate copy of such rules shall also be filed
with the state central committee of such party. A copy of the local party
rules, relating to a party in a municipality, shall be filed forthwith by the
town chairman or the secretary of the town committee of such party in
such municipality with the Secretary of the State. The state party rules
shall be filed by the state chairman or the secretary of t he state central
committee of such party.
(b) In the case of a minor party, no authority of the state or any
subdivision thereof having jurisdiction over the conduct of any election
shall permit the name of a candidate of such party for any office to be
printed on the official ballot unless at least one copy of the party rules
regulating the manner of nominating a candidate for such office has
been filed in the office of the Secretary of the State at least one hundred
eighty days before the nomination of such candidate. In the case of a
minor party, the selection of town committee members and delegates to
conventions shall not be valid unless at least one copy of the party rules
regulating the manner of making such selection has been filed in the
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office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before such selection
is made. [A] In the case of a minor party, a copy of local party rules shall
forthwith be also filed with the town clerk of the municipality to which
they relate , except that for any municipality in which no town
committee of such minor party exists and no local party rules of such
minor party have been filed with the town clerk, the state party rules of
such minor party that have been filed with the office of the Secretary of
the State shall be deemed the party rules for purposes of enrolled
members and candidates of such minor party in such municipality.
(c) Party rules shall not be effective until sixty days after the filing of
the same with the Secretary of the State. A party in any municipality for
which local party rules with respect to any office or position have not
been filed as provided in this section shall, as to such office or position,
be subject to the provisions of the effective state rules of such party
applicable in municipalities which do not have local party rules, until
such time as local party rules therefor are filed and become effectiv e as
provided in this section. The town chairman of a party in any
municipality for which local party rules have not been adopted and filed
as provided in this section shall forthwith file a statement with the
Secretary of the State to the effect that such party in such municipality
does not have local party rules. Any dispute arising under the party
rules of any party shall be referred to the state central committee of such
party.
(d) The term "party rules" as used in this section includes any
amendment to such party rules. When any amendment is to be filed as
required by this section, complete party rules incorporating such
amendment shall be filed, together with a separate copy of su ch
amendment. All party rules and all amendments to such party rules
shall ensure such party's compliance with the federal Americans with
Disabilities Act, 42 USC 12101, et seq., as amended from time to time.
Sec. 42. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 9-409 of the general statutes
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are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective
October 1, 2026):
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, petition forms
for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or for election as
members of town committees shall be available from the registrar
[beginning on the day following the making of the party's endorsement
of a candidate or candidates for such office or position, or] beginning on
the day following the final day for the making of [such endorsement]
the party's endorsement of a candidate or candidates for such office or
position under the provisions of section 9 -391, as amended by this act.
[whichever comes first.]
(b) Petition forms for candidacies for nomination to the municipal
offices of state senator and state representative shall be available from
the registrar beginning on the seventy-seventh day preceding the day of
the primary for such office.
Sec. 43. Section 7 -22 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
Whenever [complaint in writing is made to the Attorney General that
the town clerk of any town is guilty of misconduct, wilful and material
neglect of duty or incompetence in the conduct of such town clerk's
office, the Attorney General shall make such investigation of the
charges] the State Elections Enforcement Commission consults with the
Attorney General pursuant to subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of section
9-7b as the result of an investigation made pursuant to subdivision (1)
of subsection (a) of section 9-7b, as amended by this act, with respect to
an alleged violation by a municipal clerk of any provision of the general
statutes relating to any election, primary or referendum described in
subdivision (1) of said subsection, or of any regulation ad opted under
any such provision, the Attorney General may make such investigation
of the alleged violation as the Attorney General deems proper and shall,
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if the Attorney General is of the opinion that the evidence obtained
warrants such action, prepare a statement in writing of [the charges
against such town clerk] such municipal clerk's alleged violations ,
together with a citation in the name of the state, commanding such
[town] municipal clerk to appear before a judge of the Superior Court at
a date named in the citation and show cause, if any, why such [town]
municipal clerk should not be removed from office as provided in this
section. The Attorney General shall cause a copy of such statement and
citation to be served by some proper officer upon the defendant [town]
municipal clerk at least ten days before the date of appearance named
in such citation, and the original statement and citation, with the return
of the officer thereon, shall be returned to the clerk of the superior court
for the judicial district within which such [town] municipality is
situated. To carry into effect the proceedings authorized by this section,
the Attorney General shall have power to summon witnesse s, require
the production of necessary books, papers and other documents and
administer oaths to witnesses; and upon the date named in such citation
for the appearance of such [town] municipal clerk, or upon any
adjourned date fixed by the judge before whom such proceedings are
pending, the Attorney General shall appear and conduct the hearing on
behalf of the state. If, after a full hearing of all the evidence offered by
the Attorney General and by and on behalf of the defendant, such judge
is of the opini on that the evidence presented warrants the removal of
such [town] municipal clerk from office, the judge shall cause to be
prepared a written order to that effect, which order shall be signed by
the judge and lodged with the clerk of the superior court for the judicial
district in which such defendant resides. Such clerk of the superior court
shall cause a certified copy of such order to be served forthwith upon
such [town] municipal clerk, and upon such service the office held by
such [town] municipal clerk shall become vacant , notwithstanding the
pendency of any appeal of such written order, and the vacancy thereby
created shall be filled at once in the manner provided in section 9 -220.
Any witnesses summoned and any officer making service under the
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provisions of this section shall be allowed and paid by the state the same
fees as are allowed by law in criminal prosecutions.
Sec. 44. (NEW) ( Effective January 1, 2027 ) (a) Not earlier than the
fifteenth day after any state election and not later than two business
days before the canvass of votes by the Secretary of the State, Treasurer
and Comptroller, commencing on a day designated by the Secretary, the
registrars of voters shall conduct a risk -limiting audit of such election.
Each such audit shall be noticed in advance and be open to public
observation. Any election official who participates in the administration
and conduct of an audit pursuant to this section shall be compensated
by the municipality at the standard rate of pay established by such
municipality for elections.
(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the
offices subject to a risk -limiting audit pursuant to this section shall be
(A) the office of presidential elector, if applicable, (B) all applicable state
offices, as defined in section 9-372 of the general statutes, (C) at least one
representative in Congress, selected in a random drawing by the
Secretary of the State, (D) at least five per cent, in the aggregate, of the
offices of state senator and state representative, selected in a ra ndom
drawing by the Secretary, and (E) any other office required to be audited
by federal law. Whenever an office is randomly selected by the Secretary
under this subsection, the selection process shall be open to the public.
(2) (A) If an office of representative in Congress is subject to
recanvass, other than under section 9-311a, as amended by this act, or 9-
311b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or to an election
contest pursuant to any provision of the gener al statutes, the Secretary
of the State shall ensure such office is included in the office or offices
selected under subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(B) If an office of state senator or state representative is subject to
recanvass, other than under section 9-311a, as amended by this act, or 9-
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311b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or to an election
contest pursuant to any provision of the general statutes, the Secretary
of the State shall ensure such office is included in the offices selected
under subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(C) If any office is subject to recanvass under section 9 -311a, as
amended by this act, or 9 -311b of the general statutes, as amended by
this act, or if a candidate was elected to an office without opposition by
another candidate for such office, the Secretary of the State shall ensure
such office is excluded from the offices selected under subdivision (1) of
this subsection.
(c) Prior to the day designated by the Secretary of the State for the
commencement of the risk-limiting audit described in subsection (a) of
this section, the registrars of voters shall submit to the Secretary the
ballot manifests created under section 47 of this act.
(d) The risk-limiting audit described in subsection (a) of this section
shall be conducted in accordance with instructions and procedures
prescribed by the Secretary of the State not later than January 1, 2027,
which instructions and procedures shall be co nsistent across all offices
subject to such audit. The risk limit for each such audit shall be not more
than five per cent. The results of each audit conducted pursuant to this
section, including any such audit that produces an outcome of
"INCONCLUSIVE" as described in subsection (e) of this section, shall be
reported on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Secretary. Such
reported results shall be filed with the Secretary, who shall immediately
forward such reported results to The University of Connect icut for
analysis. The University of Connecticut shall submit to the Secretary a
written report regarding such analysis that describes any concerns
identified. After receipt of such written report, the Secretary shall
transmit a copy of such written report to the State Elections Enforcement
Commission.
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(e) In the event a risk -limiting audit conducted pursuant to this
section for a particular office produces an outcome of
"INCONCLUSIVE", the Secretary of the State shall order a manual
recount of all ballots cast for such office.
(f) If the written report submitted by The University of Connecticut
under subsection (d) of this section indicates that a voting tabulator
failed to record votes accurately and in the manner provided by title 9
of the general statutes, the Secretary of the State sha ll require that the
voting tabulator be examined and recertified by the Secretary or the
Secretary's designee. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
prohibit the Secretary from requiring that a voting tabulator be
examined and recertified.
(g) The audit results reported to the Secretary of the State pursuant to
subsection (d) of this section shall be open to public inspection and may
be used as prima facie evidence of an irregularity in any contest arising
pursuant to chapter 149 of the general statutes or for any other cause of
action arising from such election.
(h) If the audit officials are unable to reconcile the results from an
audit described in subsection (a) of this section with the outcome of the
person declared elected by virtue of having received the greatest
number of votes, as determined by the paper ballots, the Secretary of the
State shall conduct such further investigation of the voting tabulator as
may be necessary for the purpose of reviewing whether or not to
decertify the voting tabulator or tabulators in question or to order the
voting tabulator to be examined and recertified in accordance with
subsection (f) of this section. Any report produced by the Secretary as a
result of such investigation shall be filed with the State Elections
Enforcement Commission, and the commission may initiate such
further investigation in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection
(a) of section 9-7b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, as may
be required to determine if any violations of the general statutes
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concerning election law have been committed.
(i) The individual paper ballots used at an election shall be carefully
preserved and returned in their designated receptacle in accordance
with the requirements of section 9 -266 or 9 -310 of the general statutes,
as applicable.
(j) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any
candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to
chapter 149 of the general statutes.
(k) After a state election, any voting tabulator may be kept locked for
a period longer than that prescribed by sections 9 -266, 9-310 and 9-447
of the general statutes, if such an extended period is ordered by a court
of competent jurisdiction, the Secretary of the State or the State Elections
Enforcement Commission. Such court or the Secretary of the State may
order an audit of such voting tabulator to be conducted by such persons
as the court or the Secretary may designate, provided the State Elections
Enforcement Commission may order such an audit where the particular
office in question is that of the Secretary of the State. If the machine
utilized in such election is an optical scan voting system, such order to
lock such machine shall include the tabulat or, memory card and all
other components and processes utilized in the programming of such
machine.
(l) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, for the conduct
of risk-limiting audits described in subsection (a) of this section and to
establish guidelines for expanded audits w hen the results from such a
risk-limiting audit cannot be reconciled with the outcome of the person
declared elected by virtue of having received the greatest number of
votes, as determined by the paper ballots.
(m) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the
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Secretary of the State shall have access to the code in any voting machine
whenever any problem is discovered as a result of an audit described in
subsection (a) of this section.
(n) As used in this section:
(1) "Risk -limiting audit" means a publicly verifiable auditing
procedure that (A) manually examines a statistical sample of paper
ballots that reflect the intents of the voters having cast such ballots, (B)
produces an outcome of either "ACCEPTABLE" or "IN CONCLUSIVE",
and (C) guarantees a specified risk limit;
(2) "Risk limit" means the maximum probability that an audit would
produce an outcome of "ACCEPTABLE" when there is a disagreement
between the person declared elected and the person who received the
greatest number of votes as determined by the paper ballots; and
(3) "State election" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 -1
of the general statutes.
Sec. 45. Subsection (a) of section 9 -320 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January
1, 2027):
(a) The clerk of each municipality shall, [within ten days after the
municipal election] not later than the last day of the month in which the
municipal election was held , return to the Secretary of the State a
statement of the name, post -office address and term of each person
elected to office in such election. If an elected [town] municipal clerk is
registrar of vital statistics, ex officio, such return shall so indicate. Each
municipal clerk neglecting to make such return shall be fined not more
than twenty-five dollars.
Sec. 46. Section 9 -320f of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
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(a) [(1)] Not earlier than the fifteenth day after any federal or state
[election or] primary or any municipal election or primary and not later
than two business days before the canvass of votes by the Secretary of
the State, Treasurer and Comptroller, [and (2) not earlier than the fifth
day after any municipal election or primary and not later than two
business days before the canvass of votes ] or by the town clerk , as
applicable, the registrars of voters shall conduct a manual audit, or an
electronic audit authorized under section 9 -320g, as amended by this
act, of the votes recorded in not less than five per cent of the voting
districts in the state, district or municipality, whichever is applicable.
For the purposes of this section, any central location used i n a
municipality for the counting of absentee ballots, early voting ballots or
same-day election registration ballots shall be deemed a voting district.
Such manual or electronic audit shall be noticed in advance and be open
to public observation. Any elec tion official who participates in the
administration and conduct of an audit pursuant to this section shall be
compensated by the municipality at the standard rate of pay established
by such municipality for elections or primaries, as the case may be.
(b) The voting districts subject to an audit described in subsection (a)
of this section shall be selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of
the State and such selection process shall be open to the public. The
offices subject to an audit pursuant to this section shall be, (1) [in the
case of an election where the office of presidential elector is on the ballot,
all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional
office selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of the State, but in
no case less than three offices, (2) in the case of an election where the
office of Governor is on the ballot, all offices required to be audited by
federal law, plus one additional office selected in a random drawing by
the Secretary of the State, but in no case less than three offices, (3)] in the
case of a municipal election, three offices or twenty per cent of the
number of offices on the ballot, whichever is greater, selected at random
by the municipal clerk, and [(4)] (2) in the case of a primary , [election,]
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all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional
office, if any, but in no event less than twenty per cent of the offices on
the ballot, selected in a random drawing by the municipal clerk.
(c) If a selected voting district has an office that is subject to recanvass
or an election or primary contest pursuant to any provision of the
general statutes, the Secretary of the State shall select an alternative
district, pursuant to the process described in subsection (b) of this
section.
(d) The manual or electronic audit described in subsection (a) of this
section shall consist of the manual or electronic tabulation of the paper
ballots cast and counted by each voting tabulator subject to such audit.
Once complete, the vote totals established pursuant to such manual or
electronic tabulation shall be compared to the results reported by the
voting tabulator on the day of the election or primary. The results of
such manual or electronic tabulation shall be reported on a form
prescribed by the Secretary of the State which shall include the total
number of ballots counted, the total votes received by each candidate in
question, the total votes received by each candidate in question on
ballots that were properly completed by each voter and the to tal votes
received by each candidate in question on ballots that were not properly
completed by each voter. Such [report] reported results shall be filed
with the Secretary , [of the State ] who shall immediately forward such
[report] reported results to The University of Connecticut for analysis.
The University of Connecticut shall [file] submit to the Secretary a
written report [with the Secretary of the State ] regarding such analysis
that describes any discrepancies identified. After receipt of such written
report, the Secretary [of the State shall file such report with ] shall
transmit a copy of such written report to the State Elections Enforcement
Commission.
(e) For the purposes of this section, a ballot that has not been properly
completed will be deemed to be a ballot on which (1) votes have been
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marked by the voter outside the vote targets, (2) votes have been marked
by the voter using a manual marking device that cannot be read by the
voting tabulator, or (3) in the judgment of the registrars of voters, the
voter marked the ballot in such a manner that the voting tabulator may
not have read the marks as votes cast.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9 -311, as amended by
this act, the Secretary of the State shall order a discrepancy recanvass of
the returns of an election or primary for any office if a discrepancy, as
defined in subsection (o) of this section, exists where the margin of
victory in the race for such office is less than the amount of the
discrepancy multiplied by the total number of voting districts where
such race appeared on the ballot, provided in a year in which the
Secretary of the State is a candidate for an office on the ballot and that
office is subject to an audit as provided by this section, the State
Elections Enforcement Commission shall order a discrepancy recanvass
if a discrepancy, as defined by subsection (o) of this section, ha s
occurred that could affect the outcome of the election or primary for
such office.
(g) If the written report submitted by The University of Connecticut
[report described in] under subsection (d) of this section indicates that a
voting tabulator failed to record votes accurately and in the manner
provided by [the general statutes ] this title , the Secretary of the State
shall require that the voting tabulator be examined and recertified by
the Secretary, [of the State,] or the Secretary's designee. Nothing in this
subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary [of the State] from
requiring that a voting tabulator be examined and recertified.
(h) The audit [report filed ] results reported to the Secretary of the
State pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be open to public
inspection and may be used as prima facie evidence of a discrepancy in
any contest arising pursuant to chapter 149 or for any other cause of
action arising from such election or primary.
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(i) If the audit officials are unable to reconcile the manual or electronic
count from an audit described in subsection (a) of this section with the
electronic vote tabulation and discrepancies from the election or
primary, the Secretary of the State shall con duct such further
investigation of the voting tabulator malfunction as may be necessary
for the purpose of reviewing whether or not to decertify the voting
tabulator or tabulators in question or to order the voting tabulator to be
examined and recertif ied [pursuant to] in accordance with subsection
(g) of this section. Any report produced by the Secretary [of the State] as
a result of such investigation shall be filed with the State Elections
Enforcement Commission and the commission may initiate such further
investigation in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of
section 9-7b, as amended by this act, as may be required to determine if
any violations of the general statutes concerning election law have been
committed.
(j) The individual paper ballots used at an election or primary shall
be carefully preserved and returned in their designated receptacle in
accordance with the requirements of section 9-266 or 9-310, [whichever
is] as applicable.
(k) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any
candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to
chapter 149.
(l) After an election or primary, any voting tabulator may be kept
locked for a period longer than that prescribed by sections 9 -266, 9-310
and 9-447, if such an extended period is ordered by [either] a court of
competent jurisdiction, the Secretary of the State or the State Elections
Enforcement Commission. [Either the] Such court or the Secretary of the
State may order an audit of such voting tabulator to be conducted by
such persons as the court or the Secretary [of the State] may designate,
provided the State Elections Enforcement Commission may order such
an audit under the circumstances prescribed in subsection (f) of this
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section. If the machine utilized in such election or primary is an optical
scan voting system, such order to lock such machine shall include the
tabulator, memory card and all other components and processes utilized
in the programming of such machine.
(m) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54, [as may be necessary] for the conduct
of the manual or electronic tabulation of the paper ballots described in
subsection (a) of this section and to establish guidelines for expanded
audits when there are differences between the manual or electronic
counts from the audit descri bed in subsection (a) of this section and
tabulator counts from the election or primary.
(n) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the
Secretary of the State shall have access to the code in any voting machine
whenever any problem is discovered as a result of an audit described in
subsection (a) of this section.
(o) As used in this section: [, "discrepancy"]
(1) "Discrepancy" means any difference in vote totals between
tabulator counts from an election or primary and manual or electronic
counts from an audit described in subsection (a) of this section in a
voting district that exceeds one-half of one per cent of the lesser amount
of the vote totals between such tabulator counts and such manual or
electronic counts where such differences cannot be resolved through an
accounting of ballots that were not marked properly in accordance with
subsection (e) of this section; [, "state election" means "state election", as
defined in section 9-1, "municipal election"]
(2) "Municipal election" means a municipal election held pursuant to
section 9-164, as amended by this act; [, "manual"]
(3) "Manual" means by hand and without the assistance of electronic
equipment; and ["electronic"]
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(4) "Electronic" means through the use of equipment described in
section 9-320g, as amended by this act.
Sec. 47. (NEW) ( Effective January 1, 2027 ) (a) Except in the case of a
recanvass subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, not
later than seventy-two hours after the close of the polls at each state
election, as defined in section 9-1 of the general statutes:
(1) The election officials in each polling place shall create a ballot
manifest for such polling place in accordance with procedures
prescribed by the Secretary of the State; and
(2) The absentee ballot counters in each central counting location shall
create a ballot manifest for such central counting location in accordance
with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of the State.
(b) Not later than twenty -four hours after the completion of any
recanvass conducted at a state election in a voting district, the recanvass
officials shall create a ballot manifest for such district in accordance with
procedures prescribed by the Secretary of the State.
(c) All ballot manifest creation procedures shall be open to public
observation.
(d) Immediately after a ballot manifest has been created pursuant to
this section, the moderator shall submit such ballot manifest to the
registrars of voters.
Sec. 48. Section 9 -323 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
Any elector or candidate who claims that he or she is aggrieved by
any ruling of any election official in connection with any election for
presidential electors and for a senator in Congress and for
representative in Congress or any of them, held in his or her town, or
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that there was a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such election
for candidates for such electors, senator in Congress and representative
in Congress, or any of them, at any voting district in his or her town, or
any candidate for such an office who claims that he or she is aggrieved
by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive,
9-364, 9-364a, as amended by this act, or 9-365 in the casting of absentee
ballots at such election, may bring his or her complaint to any jud ge of
the Supreme Court, in which he or she shall set out the claimed errors
of such election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed
violations of said sections. In any action brought pursuant to the
provisions of this section, the compla inant shall file a certification
attached to the complaint indicating that a copy of the complaint has
been sent by first -class mail or delivered to the State Elections
Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such
election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on
the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the
Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission.
If such complaint is made subsequent to the election, it shall be brought
not later than fourteen days after the election or, if such complaint is
brought in response to [the manual tabulation of paper ballots
authorized] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended
by this act, or section 44 of this act, such complaint shall be brought not
later than seven days after the close of any such [manual tabulation ]
audit, and in either such circumstance, the judge shall forthwith order a
hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five
or less than three days from the making of such order, and shall cause
notice of not less than three or more than five days to be given to any
candidate or candidates whose election may be affected by the decision
upon such hearing, to such election official, to the Secretary of the State,
to the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other party
or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time
and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge, with two
other judges of the Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief Court
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Administrator, shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without
unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is
shown, such judges may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or
any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including
absentee ballots, to be made. Such judges shall thereupon, in the case
they, or any two of them, find any error in the rulings of the election
official, any mistake in the count of such votes or any violation of said
sections, certify the result of their finding or decision, or the finding or
decision of a majority of them, to the Secretary of the State before the
first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. Such judges
may order a new election or a change in the existing election schedule,
provided such order complies with Section 302 of the Help America
Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time. Such certificate of
such judges, or a majority of them, shall be final upon all questions
relating to the rulings of such election officials, to the correctness of such
count and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations,
and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding
officers so as to conform to such finding or decision.
Sec. 49. Section 9 -324 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
Any elector or candidate who claims that such elector or candidate is
aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with any
election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State
Treasurer, Attorney General, State Comptroller or judge of probate, held
in such elector's or candidate's town, or that there has been a mistake in
the count of the votes cast at such election for candidates for said offices
or any of them, at any voting district in such elector's or candidate's
town, or any candidate for such an office who claims that such candidate
is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of section 9 -355, 9-357 to 9-
361, inclusive, 9 -364, 9 -364a, as amended by this act, or 9 -365 in the
casting of absentee ballots at such election or any candidate for the office
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of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State
Treasurer, Attorney General or State Comptroller, who claims that such
candidate is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9 -700
to 9-716, inclusive, may bring such elector's or candidate's complaint to
any judge of the Superior Court, in which such elector or candidate shall
set out the claimed errors of such election official, the claimed errors in
the count or the claimed violations of said sections. In any action
brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall
send a copy of the complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the
complaint by hand, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If
such complaint is made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed
expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause
notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the
State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made
subsequent to the election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen
days after the election or, if such complaint is brought in response to
[the manual tabulation of paper ballots authorized] an audit conducted
pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 44 of this
act, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days after the
close of any such [manual tabulation ] audit and, in either such
circumstance, such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had upon
such complaint, upon a day not more than five nor less than three days
from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than
three nor more than five days to be given to any candidate or candidates
whose election may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to
such election of ficial, the Secretary of the State, the State Elections
Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom such
judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing
upon such complaint. Such judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing
and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient
reason is shown, such judge may order any voting tabulators to be
unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes
cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon,
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in case such judge finds any error in the rulings of the election official,
any mistake in the count of the votes or any violation of said sections,
certify the result of such judge's finding or decision to the Secretary of
the State before the fifteenth day of the next succeeding December. Such
judge may order a new election or a change in the existing election
schedule. Such certificate of such judge of such judge's finding or
decision shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to
errors in the rulings of such election officials, to the correctness of such
count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations,
and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding
officers, so as to conform to such finding or decision, unless the same is
appealed from as provided in section 9-325.
Sec. 50. Section 9 -328 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
Any elector or candidate claiming to have been aggrieved by any
ruling of any election official in connection with an election for any
municipal office or a primary for justice of the peace, or any elector or
candidate claiming that there has been a mistak e in the count of votes
cast for any such office at such election or primary, or any candidate in
such an election or primary claiming that he is aggrieved by a violation
of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a,
as amended by this act, or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such
election or primary, may bring a complaint to any judge of the Superior
Court for relief therefrom. In any action brought pursuant to the
provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the
complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand,
to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is
made prior to such election or primary, such judge shall proceed
expeditiously to render judg ment on the complaint and shall cause
notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the
State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made
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subsequent to such election or primary, it shall be brought not later than
fourteen days after such election or primary, except that if such
complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of paper
ballots, authorized] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9 -320f, as
amended by this act, or section 44 of this act , such complaint shall be
brought not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual
tabulation] audit, to any judge of the Superior Court, in which he shall
set out the claimed errors of the election official, the claimed errors in
the count or the claimed violations of said sections. Such judge shall
forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complain t, upon a day
not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such
order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five
days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election or
nomination may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such
election official, the Secretary of the State, the State Elections
Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom such
judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing
upon such complaint. Such judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing
and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient
reason is shown, he may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or
any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including
absentee ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon, if he finds any
error in the rulings of the election official or any mistake in the count of
the votes, certify the result of his finding or decision to the Secretary of
the State before the tenth day succeeding the conclusion of the hearing.
Such judge may order a new election or primary or a change in the
existing election schedule. Such certificate of such judge of his finding
or decision shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to
errors in the ruling of such election officials, to the correctness of such
count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations,
and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding
officers, so as to conform to such finding or decision, except that this
section shall not affect the right of appeal to the Supreme Court and it
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shall not prevent such judge from reserving such questions of law for
the advice of the Supreme Court as provided in section 9 -325. Such
judge may, if necessary, issue his writ of mandamus, requiring the
adverse party and those under him to deliver to the complainant the
appurtenances of such office, and shall cause his finding and decree to
be entered on the records of the Superior Court in the proper judicial
district.
Sec. 51. Subsection (a) of section 9 -329a of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January
1, 2027):
(a) Any (1) elector or candidate aggrieved by a ruling of an election
official in connection with any primary held pursuant to (A) section 9 -
423, 9 -425 or 9 -464, or (B) a special act, (2) elector or candidate who
alleges that there has been a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such
primary, or (3) candidate in such a primary who alleges that he is
aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9 -355, 9-357 to 9 -
361, inclusive, 9 -364, 9 -364a, as amended by this act, or 9 -365 in the
casting of absentee ballots at such primary, may bring his complaint to
any judge of the Superior Court for appropriate action. In any action
brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall
file a certification attached to the complaint indicating that a copy of the
complaint has been sent by first -class mail or delivered to the State
Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to
such primary such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render
judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be
given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement
Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to such primary it
shall be brought, not later than fourteen days after such primary, or if
such complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of
paper ballots, described in ] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-
320f, as amended by this act, or section 44 of this act , such complaint
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shall be brought, not later than seven days after the close of any such
[manual tabulation] audit, to any judge of the Superior Court.
Sec. 52. Subsection (b) of section 9 -3 of the general statutes, as
amended by section 89 of public act 26 -1, is repealed and the following
is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
(b) During any municipal, state or federal election, primary or
recanvass, or any audit conducted pursuant to section 9 -320f, as
amended by this act, or section 44 of this act , the Secretary of the State
may issue an order, whether orally or in writing, to any registrar of
voters or moderator to correct any irregularity or impropriety in the
conduct of such election, primary or recanvass or audit. Any such order
shall be effective upon issuance. As soon as practicable after issuance of
an oral order pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall reduce such
order to writing, cite within such order any applicable provision of law
authorizing such order and cause a copy of such written order to be
delivered to the individual who is the subject of such order or, in the
case that such order was originally issued in writing, issue a subsequent
written order that conforms to such requirements. The Superior Court,
on application of the Secretary or the Attorney General, may enforce by
appropriate decree or process any such order issued pursuant to this
subsection.
Sec. 53. Subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 9-229 of the general
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
(Effective January 1, 2027):
(3) The duties of each regional election advisor shall include, but not
be limited to: (A) Holding the instructional sessions described in
subdivision (2) of this subsection; (B) communicating with registrars of
voters to assist, to the extent permitted under law, in preparations for
and operations of a ny election, primary or recanvass, or any audit
conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section
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44 of this act; and (C) transmitting any order issued by the Secretary of
the State, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9 -3, as amended by this
act.
Sec. 54. Subsection (a) of section 9 -229b of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January
1, 2027):
(a) Any regional council of governments organized under the
provisions of sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive, may appoint a regional
election advisor, who shall represent, consult with and act on behalf of
such regional council of governments and any combination of regional
councils of governments or member towns of regional councils of
governments that may seek the assistance of such regional election
advisor. A regional election advisor shall consult and coordinate with
the Secretary of the State to provide such assistance in preparations for
and operations of any e lection, primary or recanvass, or any audit
conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section
44 of this act.
Sec. 55. Section 9 -320g of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027):
Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the Secretary of the State,
in consultation and coordination with The University of Connecticut,
may authorize the use of electronic equipment for the purpose of
conducting any audit required pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended
by this act, [for any primary or general election held on or after January
1, 2016] or section 44 of this act , provided (1) the Secretary of the State
prescribes specifications for (A) the testing, set-up and operation of such
equipment, and (B) the training of election officials in the use of such
equipment; and (2) the Secretary of the State and The University of
Connecticut agree that such equipment is sufficient in quantity to
accommodate the total number of audits to be conducted. N othing in
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this section shall preclude any candidate or elector from seeking
additional remedies pursuant to chapter 149 as a result of any
information revealed by such process.
Sec. 56. (Effective from passage) The Secretary of the State shall establish
a pilot program for the conduct of risk -limiting audits at state elections
in 2026. The Secretary shall randomly select three municipalities for
participation in such pilot program, provided the Secretary shall select:
(1) One municipality with a population of less than twenty thousand;
(2) one municipality with a population of twenty thousand or greater,
but less than ninety thousand; and (3) one municipality with a
population of ninety thousand or greater. For the purposes of this
section, "risk -limiting audit" has the same meaning as provided in
section 44 of this act and "population" means the estimated number of
people according to the most recent version of the State Register and
Manual prepared pursuant to section 3-90 of the general statutes.
Sec. 57. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Election" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 -1 of the
general statutes;
(2) "Elections site" means any (A) polling place on the day of an
election, primary or referendum, (B) location designated for the conduct
of early voting during the period of early voting at an election or
primary, (C) location designated for same -day ele ction registration
during the period of early voting at a regular election or on the day of a
regular election, (D) central location designated for the counting of
absentee ballots, early voting ballots or same -day election registration
ballots at an elect ion, primary or referendum, as applicable, (E) place
where a recanvass is being conducted, or (F) drop box designated for
the deposit of absentee ballots during the period beginning on the first
day of issuance of absentee voting sets and ending at the clo se of the
polls at an election, primary or referendum;
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(3) "Primary" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 -372 of
the general statutes; and
(4) "Referendum" has the same meaning as provided in section 9-1 of
the general statutes.
(b) (1) No officer or agent of any organization or entity authorized by
the federal government or by any state to use force against, search,
detain or arrest individuals, and no person authorized by the federal
government or by any state to order, bring, k eep or have under such
person's authority or control any such officer or agent, shall:
(A) Knowingly be within two hundred fifty feet of any elections site,
unless (i) the Governor deems such force necessary to repel armed
enemies of the United States or of the state, (ii) in the case of any such
search, detention or arrest, such officer, ag ent or person (I) is acting in
an official capacity, (II) has given notice to the Secretary of the State and
the Attorney General not less than twenty -four hours prior to such
search, detention or arrest, and (III) is authorized by a judicial warrant
or ju dicial order of a court of competent jurisdiction to specifically
conduct such search, detention or arrest within two hundred fifty feet
of such elections site, and at the specific location at which such search,
detention or arrest is to be conducted, prov ided such officer, agent or
person is within such two hundred fifty feet only for as long as
reasonably necessary to conduct such search, detention or arrest, (iii)
exigent circumstances reasonably require the presence of any such
officer, agent or person to protect against a serious threat to life or
property, provided such officer, agent or person is within such two
hundred fifty feet only for as long as reasonably necessary to protect
against such threat, or (iv) the Secretary of the State or moderator ( I)
requests such force to suppress disorder, or (II) has given permission for
such an officer, agent or person to be present and such permission has
not been withdrawn;
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(B) Knowingly be within two hundred fifty feet of an elections site for
the purpose of attempting to examine the qualifications to vote of any
individual at such elections site;
(C) Knowingly loiter or remain within two hundred fifty feet of an
elections site; or
(D) Engage in any conduct that would constitute a violation of 18
USC 592, 593 or 595, as amended from time to time.
(2) Nothing in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be construed to
(A) prevent any officer, agent or person described in said subdivision,
when off duty, from voting in accordance with the provisions of title 9
of the general statutes or otherwise eng aging in protected political
expression, or (B) prohibit any such officer, agent or person from (i)
passing within two hundred fifty feet of an elections site only for as long
as necessary to be within such two hundred fifty feet while on the way
to a place or location other than such elections site, or (ii) residing within
such two hundred fifty feet.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision (1) of this
subsection shall be guilty of a class C felony and shall be disfranchised.
(c) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, no
person shall wear any mask or other covering that obscures the face,
head or identity of such person within two hundred fifty feet of any
elections site.
(2) A person may wear such a mask or other covering within such
two hundred fifty feet if the wearing of such mask or other covering (A)
is reasonable given the weather conditions, provided such person
complies with any request from the moderator to remove such mask or
other covering, or (B) is medically necessary or of religious significance.
(3) Any person who wilfully violates the provisions of subdivision (1)
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of this subsection, or refuses to comply with a request from the
moderator to remove such person's mask or other covering, shall be
guilty of a class D felony.
(d) (1) No person shall be required to present any form of
identification within two hundred fifty feet of any elections site, unless
otherwise required under state law.
(2) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (1) of this
subsection shall be guilty of a class D felony.
(3) Any action taken by an officer or agent described in subsection (b)
of this section, pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) of subdivision (1) of
said subsection, shall not constitute a violation of subdivision (1) of this
subsection.
(4) Nothing in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be construed to
prevent any election, primary or referendum official from performing
any duty under title 9 of the general statutes.
Sec. 58. Section 9 -364a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(a) As used in this section, "election worker" means any municipal
clerk, assistant municipal clerk, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of
voters, election official described in section 9 -258, as amended by this
act, primary official described in section 9 -436 or recanvass official
described in section 9 -311, as amended by this act , and "personal
identifying information" has the same meaning as provided in section
53a-129a.
(b) Any person who influences or attempts to influence by force or
threat the vote, or by force, threat, bribery or corrupt means [,] the
speech, of any other person at a primary, caucus, referendum,
convention or election; any person who influences or attempts to
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influence by force, threat or harassment any election worker in the
performance of any duty under the provisions of this title related to
election administration at a primary, referendum, election or recanvass;
any person who wilfully and fraudulently supp resses or destroys any
vote or ballot properly given or cast, whether so given or cast by mail,
by deposit in a secure drop box or in person at a polling place or
designated early voting or same -day election registration location, or
who, in counting such votes or ballots, wilfully miscounts or
misrepresents the number thereof; and any presiding or other officer of
a primary, caucus or convention who wilfully announces the result of a
ballot or vote of such primary, caucus or convention, untruly and
wrongfully, shall be guilty of a class C felony.
(c) Any person who, with intent to harass, terrorize or alarm any
election worker, or to improperly influence any election worker in the
performance of any duty under this title related to election
administration at a primary, referendum, election or recanvass, publicly
discloses the personal identifying information of such election worker
shall be guilty of a (1) class A misdemeanor for a first offense, and (2)
class C felony for any subsequent offense.
(d) Any election worker described in subsection (b) or (c) of this
section, as applicable, shall have a civil cause of action against the
person who, with respect to such election worker, violated said
subsection.
Sec. 59. Section 9 -352 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(a) Any election official who, with intent to cause or permit any
voting tabulator to fail to correctly register all votes cast thereon, (1)
tampers with or disarranges [such tabulator] in any way such tabulator
or any part or appliance thereof, or (2) causes such tabulator to be used
or consents to its being used for voting at any election with knowledge
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of the fact that the same is (A) not in order, or (B) not perfectly set and
adjusted to correctly register all votes cast thereon, [or] shall be guilty of
a class D felony.
(b) Any election official who, for the purpose of (1) defrauding or
deceiving any elector, or [of] (2) causing it to (A) be doubtful for what
candidate or candidates or proposition any vote is cast, or [causing it to]
(B) appear upon such tabulator that votes cast for one candidate or
proposition were cast for another candidate or proposition, removes,
changes or mutilates any ballot shall be guilty of a class D felony.
(c) Any election official who provides to any third party that has not
been authorized by the Secretary of the State any tabulator or any part
or appliance thereof shall be guilty of a class D felony.
Sec. 60. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) Any person who knowingly (1)
tampers with, alters, destroys or unlawfully carries away a drop box
designated for the deposit of absentee ballots; (2) changes or destroys a
ballot after it has been deposited in such a drop box; (3) adds one or
more ballots to those which have been lawfully deposited in such a drop
box, whether before or after such ballots have been counted, by
fraudulently depositing such additional ballot or ballots into such drop
box in a manner not authorized by law and falsely claiming that such
additional ballot or ballots were lawfully deposited into such drop box,
with the intent to interrupt or invalidate an election, primary or
referendum; or (4) adds one or more ballots to those which have bee n
retrieved from such a drop box by fraudulently introducing such
additional ballot or ballots while such ballots are being counted or
recanvassed, with intent to affect the result of an election, primary or
referendum or to enter any ballot into evidence at any hearing held
pursuant to chapter 149 or 152 of the general statutes for the contest of
such election, primary or referendum, shall be guilty of a class D felony.
Sec. 61. Subsection (a) of section 3-129g of the 2026 supplement to the
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general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
(a) The Attorney General may investigate, intervene in or bring a civil
or administrative action in the name of the state, seeking injunctive or
declaratory relief, damages, and any other relief that may be available
under law, whenever any person is or has engaged in a practice or
pattern of conduct, or has established a policy, that:
(1) Subjects, or causes to be subjected, other persons to the
deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the
constitutions or laws of this state or the United States; or
(2) Interferes, or attempts to interfere, by threats, intimidation , [or]
coercion or physical obstruction, with the exercise or enjoyment by other
persons of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the
constitutions or laws of this state or the United States.
Sec. 62. Section 9 -247 of the general statutes, as amended by section
73 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
The registrars of voters shall, before the commencement of the period
of early voting at each election, cause test ballots to be inserted in each
voting tabulator to ensure that each voting tabulator is prepared and
read and cause each other voting system approved by the Secretary of
the State for use in the election, including, but not limited to , voting
devices equipped for individuals with disabilities that comply with the
provisions of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-25, as amended from
time to time, to be put in order in every way and set and adjust the same
so that it shall be ready for use in voting when delivered at the polling
place [,] or location designated for the conduct of early voting , [or
location designated for the conduct of same -day election registration, ]
as applicable. Such registrars of voters shall cause each voting system to
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be in order and set and adjusted, to be delivered at the polling place [,]
or location designated for the conduct of early voting , [or location
designated for the conduct of same -day election registration, ] as
applicable, together with all necessary furniture and appliances that go
with the same, at the room where voting at such election is to take place,
and to be tested and operable not later than one hour prior to the
opening of the polling place [,] or location designated for the conduct of
early voting , [or location designated for the conduct of same -day
election registration,] as applicable.
Sec. 63. Section 9 -192a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) (1) The Secretary of the State shall, in consultation with the
advisory committee created pursuant to subsection (b) of this section,
establish a program and criteria for the certification of registrars of
voters and deputy registrars of voters.
(2) (A) All registrars taking such office on or before July 1, 2015, shall
complete such program and satisfy such criteria for certification not
later than July 1, 2017. Any registrar taking such office after July 1, 2015,
shall complete such program and satisfy such criteria for certification
[(A)] (i) in the case of a two -year term, not later than the conclusion of
such term, and [(B)] (ii) in the case of a four-year term, not later than two
years after the date of first holding such office, except [as provided in
subdivision (2) of this subsection ] that any such registrar who
completed the program and satisfied the criteria described in
subparagraph (B) of this subdivision for deputy registrars, and who
subsequently became registrar in accordance with the provisions of
section 9 -192, shall be deemed to have completed the program and
satisfied the criteria described in this subparagraph for the applicable
term.
(B) All deputy registrars taking such office on or before July 1, 2026,
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shall complete such program and satisfy such criteria for certification
not later than July 1, 2028. Any deputy registrar taking such office after
July 1, 2026, shall complete such program and satisfy such criteria for
certification (i) in the case of a tw o-year term, not later than the
conclusion of such term, and (ii) in the case of a four-year term, not later
than two years after the date of first holding such office.
(C) Each municipality shall pay on behalf of such municipality's
[registrar of voters the cost of completing such program and satisfying
such] registrars of voters and deputy registrars of voters the costs of
completing the applicable programs and satisfying the applicable
criteria for certification under this subdivision.
[(2) If a deputy registrar becomes registrar, in accordance with the
provisions of section 9-192, on or after the ninetieth day prior to a state
election, as defined in section 9 -1, such new registrar shall complete an
abridged program prescribed by the Secretary of the State for a
provisional certification. Completion of such abridged program and
receipt of a provisional certification shall not be deemed to satisfy the
requirements for certification described in subdivision (1) of this
subsection.]
(3) Once certified, pursuant to subdivision [(1)] (2) of this subsection,
each registrar and deputy registrar shall participate each year in not less
than eight hours of training, not including any training described under
subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, in order to maintain such
certification. Such training shall be as prescribed by the Secretary of the
State and shall be conducted by [said] the Secretary or a third party
approved by [said] the Secretary to conduct such training. On and after
January 1, 2024, such training shall include procedures for the conduct
of early voting at elections and primaries. Any registrar or deputy
registrar who fails to satisfy such annual training requirement shall be
directed by the Secretary of the State to take remedial measures
prescribed by said Secretary.
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(b) There is created an advisory committee for the purpose of
establishing programs and procedures for training, examining and
certifying registrars of voters, deputy registrars of voters and assistant
registrars of voters , as described in section 9 -192. The committee shall
consist of six members, one of whom shall be from the office of the
Secretary of the State, one of whom shall be from the State Elections
Enforcement Commission, and four of whom shall be registrars of
voters. The Secretary of the State shall appoint the registrars of voters,
in consultation with the Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut,
or its successor organization. The committee members shall serve
without pay. The Secretary of the State shall determine the length of the
terms of the initial members, in accordance with the following: Two of
such members shall serve for a one -year term; two of such members
shall serve for a two-year term; and two of such members shall serve for
a four-year term. Thereafter, all members shall serve for four-year terms.
The committee shall select a chairperson, who shall be one of the
registrars who is a member of the committee.
(c) The Secretary of the State, in consultation with the advisory
committee created pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, shall adopt
criteria for the training, examination and certification requirements of
registrars and deputy registrars pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section. In advising the Secretary of the State on the adoption of such
criteria, the committee (1) shall consider whether the prescribed training
leading to certification may, in part, be satisfied through participation
in the req uired two conferences a year called by the Secretary of the
State, pursuant to section 9 -6, as amended by this act , for purposes of
discussing the election laws, procedures or matters related to election
laws and procedures, and (2) may recommend programs at one or more
institutions of higher education that satisfy such criteria. Any [deputy
or] assistant registrar of voters may participate in the course of training
prescribed by the Secretary for certification as a certified Connecticut
registrar of voters or deputy registrar of voters . The Secretary of the
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State shall certify any individual who completes such training and
successfully completes any examination or examinations prescribed by
the Secretary as a certified Connecticut registrar of voters or deputy
registrar of voters, as applicable.
(d) The advisory committee created pursuant to subsection (b) of this
section shall also (1) develop a training program in election procedures
for poll workers, and (2) develop an election law and procedures
training program and guide for registrars, deputy registrars and
assistant registrars. The training program developed under subdivision
(2) of this subsection shall provide for training to be conducted by
trained registrars or former registrars hired for such purpose by the
Secretary of the State. The c ommittee shall submit such training
programs and training guide to the Secretary of the State, who shall
approve or modify the programs and guide.
Sec. 64. Section 9 -6 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Each registrar of voters , [or, in the absence of a registrar, the ] each
deputy registrar of voters [,] and each municipal clerk , [or, in the
absence of a municipal clerk,] or one of the assistant municipal clerks in
the absence of the municipal clerk, shall be compensated by the
municipality which [the clerk] such official represents [, as provided for
in this section, ] for attending two conferences a year for [town clerks
and] registrars of voters , deputy registrars of voters and municipal
clerks which may be called by the Secretary of the State for the purpose
of discussing the election laws, procedures or matters related thereto.
Each such official shall be compensated by [the] such municipality at the
rate of thirty -five dollars per day for attending each such conference,
plus mileage to and from such conference at a rate per mile determined
by [the] such municipality, but not less than twenty cents per mile,
computed from the office of such official or, if [he] such official has no
office, from [his] such official's home to the place where such conference
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is being held.
Sec. 65. Section 9 -388 of the general statutes, as amended by section
79 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Whenever a convention of a political party is held for the
endorsement of candidates for nomination to state or district office, each
candidate endorsed at such convention shall file with the Secretary of
the State a certificate, signed by him, stating that he was endorsed by
such convention, his name as he authorizes it to appear on the ballot, his
full residence address and the title and district, if applicable, of the office
for which he was endorsed. Such certificate shall be attested by either
(1) the chairman or presiding officer, or (2) the secretary of such
convention and shall be received by the Secretary of the State not later
than four o'clock p.m. on the fourteenth day after the close of such
convention. Such certificate shall either be mailed to the Secretary of the
State by certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivered in person,
in which case a receipt indicating the date and time of delivery shall be
provided by the Secretary of the State to the person making delivery. If
a certif icate of a party's endorsement for a particular state or district
office is not received by the Secretary of the State by such time, such
certificate shall be invalid and such party, for the purposes of sections
9-416 and 9-416a, shall be deemed to have made no endorsement of any
candidate for such office. If applicable, the chairman of a party's state
convention shall, forthwith upon the close of such convention, file with
the Secretary of the State the names and full residence a ddresses of
persons selected by such convention as the nominees of such party for
electors of President and Vice -President of the United States in
accordance with the provisions of section 9-175.
(b) (1) In the case of a timely filed certificate of a party's endorsement
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, which contains an error or
omission that would operate to invalidate such endorsement, the
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candidate so certified or an individual authorized to act on behalf of
such candidate may correct such error or omission by appearing in
person at the office of the Secretary of the State, on a day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, not later than four o'clock p.m. on
the nineteenth day after the close of the state or district convention, as
applicable, and amending such certificate to make such correction. If
such candidate or individual does not appear to so amend such
certificate by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party,
for the purposes of sections 9 -416 and 9-416a, shall be deemed to have
made no such endorsement.
(2) The Secretary of the State may, within the time period specified in
subdivision (1) of this subsection, amend a timely filed certificate of a
party's endorsement to correct any such error or omission, and shall
keep a record of any such amendment made pursuant to this
subdivision. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require
the Secretary to affirmatively attempt to identify any error or omission
in any such certificate , except that, if the Secretary identifies such an
error or omission, th e Secretary shall use best efforts to notify the
candidate so certified, an individual authorized to act on behalf of such
candidate or the party that endorsed such candidate regarding such
error or omission.
Sec. 66. Subsection (c) of section 9 -391 of the general statutes, as
amended by section 80 of public act 26 -1, is repealed and the following
is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(c) (1) Each endorsement of a candidate to run in a primary for the
nomination of candidates for a municipal office to be voted upon at a
state election shall be made under the provisions of section 9 -390 not
earlier than the eighty-fourth day or later than the seventy-seventh day
preceding the day of such primary. Each certification to be filed under
this subsection shall be received by the Secretary of the State not later
than four o'clock p.m. on the fourteenth day after the close of the town
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committee meeting, caucus or convention, as the case may be. If such a
certificate of a party's endorsement is not received by the Secretary of
the State by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party,
for the purposes of sections 9 -417 and 9-418, shall be deemed to have
neither made nor certified any endorsement of any candidate for such
office. The candidate so endorsed for a municipal office to be voted upon
at a state election, other than the office of justice of the peace, shall file
with the Secretary of the State a certificate, signed by that candidate,
stating that such candidate was so endorsed, the candidate's name as
the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot, the candidate's full
street address and the title and district of the office for which the
candidate was endorsed. Such certificate may be filed by a candidate
whose name appears upon the last -completed enrollment list of such
party within the senatorial district within which the candidate is
endorsed to run for nomin ation in the case of the municipal office of
state senator, or the assembly district within which the candidate is
endorsed to run for nomination in the case of the municipal office of
state representative, or the municipality or political subdivision within
which the candidate is to run for nomination for other municipal offices
to be voted on at a state election. Such certificate shall be attested by
either the chairperson or presiding officer or the secretary of the town
committee, caucus or convention w hich made such endorsement. The
endorsement of any candidate for the office of justice of the peace shall
be certified to the clerk of the municipality by either the chairperson or
presiding officer or the secretary of the town committee, caucus or
convention, and shall contain the name and street address of each
candidate so endorsed and the title of the office for which each such
candidate is endorsed. Such certification shall be made on a form
prescribed by the Secretary of the State or on such other for m as may
comply with the provisions of this subsection.
(2) (A) In the case of a timely filed certificate of a party's endorsement
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, which contains an error
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or omission that would operate to invalidate such endorsement, the
candidate so certified or an individual authorized to act on behalf of
such candidate may correct such error or omission by appearing in
person at the office of the Secretary of the State, on a day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, not later than four o'clock p.m. on
the nineteenth day after the close of the town committee meeting,
caucus or convention, as applicable, and amending such certificate to
make such correction. If su ch candidate or individual does not appear
to so amend such certificate by such time, such certificate shall be
invalid and such party, for the purposes of sections 9 -417 and 9 -418,
shall be deemed to have neither made nor certified such endorsement.
(B) The Secretary of the State may, within the time period specified in
subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, amend a timely filed certificate of
a party's endorsement to correct any such error or omission, and shall
keep a record of any such amendment mad e pursuant to this
subparagraph. Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to
require the Secretary to affirmatively attempt to identify any error or
omission in any such certificate , except that, if the Secretary identifies
such an error or omission , the Secretary shall use best efforts to notify
the candidate so certified, an individual authorized to act on behalf of
such candidate or the party that endorsed such candidate regarding
such error or omission.
Sec. 67. Section 9 -400 of the general statutes, as amended by section
81 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) A candidacy for nomination by a political party to a state office
may be filed by or on behalf of any person whose name appears upon
the last -completed enrollment list of such party in any municipality
within the state and who has either (1) received at leas t fifteen per cent
of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-
call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a
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candidate for such state office, whether or not the party -endorsed
candidate for such office received a unanimous vote on the last ballot,
or (2) circulated a petition and obtained the signatures of at least two
per cent of the enrolled members of such party in the state, in accordance
with the provisions of sections 9 -404a to 9-404c, inclusive. Candidacies
described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be filed by
submitting to the Secretary of the State not later than four o'clock p.m.
on the fourt eenth day following the close of the state convention, a
certificate, signed by such candidate and attested by either (A) the
chairman or presiding officer, or (B) the secretary of the convention, that
such candidate received at least fifteen per cent of s uch votes, and that
such candidate consents to be a candidate in a primary of such party for
such state office. Such certificate shall specify the candidate's name as
the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot, the candidate's full
residence address and the title of the office for which the candidacy is
being filed. If such certificate for a state office is not received by the
Secretary of the State by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and
such person, for the purposes of sections 9 -416 and 9 -416a, shall be
deemed to have made no valid certification of candidacy for nomination
by a political party to such state office. A single such certificate or
petition for state office may be filed on behalf of two or more candidates
for different state offices who consent to have their names appear on a
single row of the primary ballot under subsection (b) of section 9 -437.
Candidacies described in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be filed
by submitting said petition not later than four o'clock p.m. on the sixty-
third day preceding the day of the primary for such office to the registrar
of voters of the towns in which the respective petition pages were
circulated. Each registrar shall file each page of such petition with the
Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-404c.
A petition filed by or on behalf of a candidate for state office shall be
invalid for such candidate if such candidate is certified as the party -
endorsed candidate pursuant to section 9-388, as amended by [this act]
public act 26-1 and this act, or as receiving at least fifteen per cent of the
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convention vote for such office pursuant to this subsection. Except as
provided in section 9 -416a, upon the expiration of the time period for
party endorsement and circulation and tabulation of petitions and
signatures, if any, if one or more candidacies f or such state office have
been filed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of the
State shall notify all town clerks and registrars of voters in accordance
with the provisions of section 9-433, that a primary for such state office
shall be held in each municipality in accordance with the provisions of
section 9-415.
(b) A candidacy for nomination by a political party to a district office
may be filed by or on behalf of any person whose name appears upon
the last-completed enrollment list of such party within the district the
person seeks to represent that is in the office of the Secretary of the State
at the end of the last day prior to the convention for the party from
which the person seeks nomination and who has either (1) received at
least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and
voting on any roll -call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed
endorsement of a candidate for such district office, whether or not the
party-endorsed candidate for such office received a unanimous vote on
the last ballot, or (2) circulated a petition and obtained the signatures of
at least two per cent of the enrolled members of such party in the district
for the district office of representative in Congress, and at least five per
cent of the enrolled members of such party in the district for the district
offices of state senator, state representative and judge of probate, in
accordance with the provisions of sections 9 -404a to 9 -404c, inclusive.
Candidacies described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be filed
by submitting to the Secretary of the Sta te not later than four o'clock
p.m. on the fourteenth day following the close of the district convention,
a certificate, signed by such candidate and attested by either (A) the
chairman or presiding officer, or (B) the secretary of the convention, that
such candidate received at least fifteen per cent of such votes, and that
the candidate consents to be a candidate in a primary of such party for
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such district office. Such certificate shall specify the candidate's name as
the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot, the candidate's full
residence address and the title and district of the office for which the
candidacy is being filed. If suc h certificate for a district office is not
received by the Secretary of the State by such time, such certificate shall
be invalid and such person, for the purposes of sections 9 -416 and 9 -
416a, shall be deemed to have made no valid certification of candida cy
for nomination by a political party to such district office. Candidacies
described in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be filed by
submitting said petition not later than four o'clock p.m. on the sixty -
third day preceding the day of the primary for such office to the registrar
of voter s of the towns in which the respective petition pages were
circulated. Each registrar shall file each page of such petition with the
Secretary in accordance with the provisions of section 9-404c. A petition
may only be filed by or on behalf of a candidate for the district office of
state senator, state representative or judge of probate who is not certified
as the party-endorsed candidate pursuant to section 9-388, as amended
by [this act] public act 26 -1 and this act , or as receiving at least fifteen
per cent of the convention vote for such office pursuant to this
subsection. A petition filed by or on behalf of a candidate for the district
office of representative in Congress shall be invalid if said candidate is
certified as the party -endorsed candidate pursuant to section 9 -388, as
amended by [this act] public act 26-1 and this act, or as receiving at least
fifteen per cent of the convention vote for such office pursuant to this
subsection. Except as provided in section 9-416a, upon the expiration of
the time period for party endorsement and circulation and tabulation of
petitions a nd signatures, if any, if one or more candidacies for such
district office have been filed pursuant to the provisions of this section,
the Secretary of the State shall notify all town clerks within the district,
in accordance with the provisions of section 9 -433, that a primary for
such district office shall be held in each municipality and each part of a
municipality within the district in accordance with the provisions of
section 9-415.
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(c) (1) In the case of a timely filed certificate of candidacy for
nomination by a political party pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this
section, which contains an error or omission that would operate to
invalidate such candidacy for nomination, the pe rson so certified or an
agent of such person may correct such error or omission by appearing
in person at the office of the Secretary of the State, on a day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, not later than four o'clock p.m. on
the nineteenth day after the close of the state or district convention, as
applicable, and amending such certificate to make such correction,
provided neither failure of such person to timely file such certificate
pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section nor fai lure of the
chairperson, presiding officer or secretary of the convention to attest
such certificate shall be an error or omission that may be corrected
pursuant to this subsection. If such person or agent does not appear to
so amend such certificate by su ch time, such certificate shall be invalid
and such person, for the purposes of sections 9-416 and 9-416a, shall be
deemed to have made no valid certification of candidacy for nomination
by a political party. As used in this subsection, "agent" means an
individual authorized to act on behalf of a person.
(2) The Secretary of the State may, within the time period specified in
subdivision (1) of this subsection, amend a timely filed certificate of
candidacy for nomination to correct any such error or omission, and
shall keep a record of any such amendment ma de pursuant to this
subdivision. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require
the Secretary to affirmatively attempt to identify any error or omission
in any such certificate , except that, if the Secretary identifies such an
error or omission, the Secretary shall use best efforts to notify the person
so certified, an agent of such person or the party whose nomination is
being sought by such candidate regarding such error or omission.
(d) For the purposes of this section, the number of enrolled members
of a party shall be determined by the latest enrollment records in the
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office of the Secretary of the State prior to the earliest date that primary
petitions were available. The names of electors on the inactive registry
list compiled under section 9 -35 shall not be counted for purposes of
computing the number of petition sig natures required under this
section, as provided in section 9-35c.
(e) On the last day for filing primary petition candidacies in
accordance with the provisions of this section, the office or office
facilities of the registrars of voters shall open not later than one o'clock
p.m., and remain open until at least four o'clock p .m., and such
registrars or the deputy or assistant registrars shall be present.
Sec. 68. Section 9 -452 of the general statutes, as amended by section
82 of public act 26-1, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) All minor parties nominating candidates for any elective office
shall make such nominations and certify and file a list of such
nominations, as required by this section, not later than the sixty-second
day prior to the day of the election at which such candidates are to be
voted for. A list of nominees in printed or typewritten form that includes
each candidate's name as authorized by each candidate to appear on the
ballot, the signature of each candidate, the full street address of each
candidate and the title and district of the office for which each candidate
is nominated shall be certified by the presiding officer of the committee,
meeting or other authority making such nomination and shall be filed
by such presiding officer with the Secretary of the State, in the case of
any state, district or municipal office to be voted upon at a state election,
or with the clerk of the municipality, in the case of any municipal office
to be voted upon at a municipal election, not later than the sixty-second
day pr ior to the day of the election. The registrars of voters of such
municipality shall promptly verify and correct the names on any such
list filed with him, or the names of nominees forwarded to the clerk of
the municipality by the Secretary of the State, in accordance with the
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registry list of such municipality and endorse the same as having been
so verified and corrected. For the purposes of this section, a list of
nominations shall be deemed to be filed when it is received by the
Secretary of the State or clerk of the municipality, as appropriate. If such
certificate of a party's nomination is not received by the Secretary of the
State or clerk of the municipality, as appropriate, by such time, such
certificate shall be invalid and such party, for purposes of sections 9-460,
9-461 and 9-462, shall be deemed to have neither made nor certified any
nomination of any candidate for such office. A candidacy for
nomination by a minor party to a district or municipal office may be
filed on behalf of any person whose name appears on the last-completed
registry list of the district or municipality represented by such office, as
the case may be. A candidacy for nomination by a minor party to a state
office may be filed on behalf of any person whose name appears on the
last-completed registry list of the state.
(b) (1) In the case of a timely filed certificate of nomination for any
state, district or municipal office to be voted upon at a state election
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, which contains an error or
omission that would operate to invalidat e such nomination, the
candidate so certified or an individual authorized to act on behalf of
such candidate may correct such error or omission by appearing in
person at the office of the Secretary of the State, on a day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or le gal holiday, not later than four o'clock p.m. on
the fifty-seventh day prior to the day of the election and amending such
certificate to make such correction, provided neither failure of the
presiding officer of the committee, meeting or other authority to timely
file such certificate pursuant to subsection (a) of this section nor failure
of the candidate to sign such certificate shall be an error or omission that
may be corrected pursuant to this subsection. If such candidate or
individual does not appear to so amend such certificate by such time,
such certificate shall be invalid and such party, for the purposes of
sections 9-460, 9-461 and 9 -462, shall be deemed to have neither made
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nor certified any such nomination.
(2) The Secretary of the State may, within the time period specified in
subdivision (1) of this subsection, amend a timely filed certificate of
nomination to correct any such error or omission, and shall keep a
record of any such amendment made pursuant to this subdivision.
Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the Secretary
to affirmatively attempt to identify any error or omission in any such
certificate, except that, if the Secretary identifies such an error or
omission, the Secretary shall use best efforts to notify the candidate so
certified, an individual authorized to act on behalf of such candidate or
the party that nominated such candidate regarding such error or
omission.
Sec. 69. (NEW) ( Effective January 1, 2027 ) (a) As used in this section,
"municipality", "elector", "election" and "referendum" have the same
meanings as provided in section 9 -1 of the general statutes; and
"primary" has the same meaning as provided in section 9 -372 of the
general statutes.
(b) Whenever the registrars of voters of a municipality plan to use an
electronic list to check any elector appearing at the polling place or
location designated for the conduct of early voting at an election,
primary or referendum held in such municipalit y, such registrars shall
provide written notice of such planned use, not later than fourteen days
prior to the commencement of the period of early voting at such election
or primary and not later than fourteen days prior to such referendum,
in a place readily accessible to the public at the town hall or municipal
building of such municipality and in a conspicuous place on the Internet
web site of such municipality. Except in the case of a device approved
by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9 -261c of the general
statutes, any such electronic list shall not be used in lieu of the paper -
based official checklist to be used at such election, primary or
referendum and may only be used in addition to and in conjunction
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with such paper-based official checklist.
Sec. 70. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to
study absentee ballot access in certain cities and boroughs in the state
that are unconsolidated with the towns within which such cities or
boroughs are respectively located. The task force shall examine, for
elections, primaries and referenda held in such unconsolidated cities
and boroughs, (1) various forms and manners of application for
absentee ballots by voters, and (2) various forms and manners of
delivering absentee ballots to such voters, including, but not limited to,
providing the ability to cast votes on the same ballot for offices and
questions that pertain to both the unconsolidated city or borough and
the town within which such city or borough is located.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
who shall be the town clerk of a town within which all or part of an
unconsolidated city or borough is located;
(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who
shall be the clerk of an unconsolidated city or borough;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be
a registrar of voters of a town within which all or part of an
unconsolidated city or borough is located;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be
a registrar of voters of a town within which all or part of an
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unconsolidated city or borough is located;
(7) The Secretary of the State, or the Secretary's designee;
(8) One appointed by the Secretary, who shall be an attorney with
expertise in the election laws of the state; and
(9) The director of the Center for Voting Technology Research at The
University of Connecticut, or the director's designee.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (3) or
(5) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General
Assembly.
(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later
than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall
be filled by the appointing authority.
(e) The Secretary of the State, or the Secretary's designee, shall be the
chairperson of the task force. Such chairperson shall schedule the first
meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days
after the effective date of this section.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections
shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2027, the task force shall submit a report
on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of
the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
elections, in accordance with the provisions of se ction 11 -4a of the
general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it
submits such report or January 1, 2027, whichever is later.
Sec. 71. (Effective July 1, 2026) (a) There is established a task force to
study (1) efforts to achieve one hundred per cent voter participation in
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this state by January 1, 2030, (2) means of enhancing civic engagement
generally in this state, (3) experiences of jurisdictions that have enacted
policies to require citizens to vote as a civic duty, (4) potential
implementation options in pursuit of achi eving such one hundred per
cent voter participation goal, (5) needs of registrars of voters, town
clerks and other municipal officials in administering elections in which
one hundred per cent of voters participate, and (6) state and municipal
budgetary resources that may be required to achieve such one hundred
per cent voter participation goal.
(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
Representatives;
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(7) The Secretary of the State, or the Secretary's designee; and
(8) Two appointed by the Governor.
(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1),
(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member
of the General Assembly.
(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later
than August 1, 2026. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing
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authority.
(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro
tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from
among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule
the first meeting of the task force, whic h shall be held not later than
September 1, 2026.
(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections
shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
(g) Not later than February 1, 2027, the task force shall submit a report
on its findings and recommendations, including potential legislation to
appropriate funds or provide other resources to municipalities for the
purposes of increasing voter participat ion, to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to elections, in accordance with the provisions of section 11 -4a
of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it
submits such report or February 1, 2027, whichever is later.
Sec. 72. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2026) Subject to the provisions of title
9 of the general statutes and section 7 -192a of the general statutes, any
municipality may, within existing resources, establish a pilot program
to promote the goal of achieving one hundred per cent voter
participation in such municipality. Such pilot program may include
efforts to enhance civic engagement, including, but not limited to, the
development and conduct of a voter outreach and education campaign
within such municipality.
Sec. 73. Sections 9 -139, 9-159o and 9-192b of the general statutes are
repealed. (Effective from passage)