AN ACT CONCERNING SUPERIOR COURT VENUE FOR ELECTION CASES.

House of Representatives
sHB5344 / File No. 194 1

General Assembly File No. 194
February Session, 2026 Substitute House Bill No. 5344

House of Representatives, March 26, 2026

The Committee on Government Administration and Elections
reported through REP. BLUMENTHAL of the 147th Dist.,
Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the
substitute bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING SUPERIOR COURT VENUE FOR ELECTION
CASES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 9 -324 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and 2
applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 3
(a) Any elector or candidate who claims that such elector or candidate 4
is aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with any 5
election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State 6
Treasurer, Attorney General, State Comptroller or judge of probate, held 7
in such elector's or candidate's town, or that there has been a mistake in 8
the count of the votes cast at such election for candidates for said offices 9
or any of them, at any voting district in such elector's or candidate's 10
town, or any candidate for such an office who claims that such candidate 11
is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of [section] sections 9-355, 12
9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, or section 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting 13
of absentee ballots at such election or any candidate for the office of 14
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, 15
Attorney General or State Comptroller, who claims that such candidate 16
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 2

is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9 -700 to 9 -716, 17
inclusive, may bring such elector's or candidate's complaint [to any 18
judge of the Superior Court, in which such] in the superior court for the 19
judicial district of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport. Such 20
elector or candidate shall set out in the complaint the claimed errors of 21
such election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed 22
violations of said sections. In any action brought pursuant to the 23
provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the 24
complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, 25
to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is 26
made prior to such election, [such judge ] the court shall proceed 27
expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause 28
notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the 29
State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made 30
subsequent to the election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen 31
days after the election or, if such complaint is brought in response to the 32
manual tabulation of paper ballots authorized pursuant to section 9 -33
320f, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days after the 34
close of any such manual tabulation . [and, in either such circumstance, 35
such judge] 36
(b) The court shall forthwith order a hearing to be [had] held upon 37
[such] a complaint filed under subsection (a) of this section, upon a day 38
not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such 39
order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five 40
days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be 41
affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the 42
Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and 43
to any other party or parties whom [such judge] the court deems proper 44
parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such 45
complaint. [Such judge ] The court shall, on the day fixed for such 46
hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If 47
sufficient reason is shown, [such judge] the court may order any voting 48
tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount 49
of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. [Such judge] 50
The court shall thereupon, in case [such judge] the court finds any error 51
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 3

in the rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count of the votes 52
or any violation of [said sections] any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 53
to 9-361, inclusive, section 9 -364, 9-364a or 9-365 or sections 9 -700 to 9-54
716, inclusive, certify the result of [such judge's] the court's finding or 55
decision to the Secretary of the State before the fifteenth day of the next 56
succeeding December. [Such judge] The court may order a new election 57
or a change in the existing election schedule. [Such certificate of such 58
judge of such judge's] 59
(c) The certificate of the court's finding or decision pursuant to 60
subsection (b) of this section shall be final and conclusive upon all 61
questions relating to errors in the rulings of such election officials, to the 62
correctness of such count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such 63
claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of the 64
moderators or presiding officers, so as to conform to such finding or 65
decision, unless the same is appealed from as provided in section 9-325, 66
as amended by this act. 67
Sec. 2. Section 9 -325 of the general statutes is repealed and the 68
following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and 69
applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 70
If, upon any such hearing [by a judge of the Superior Court ] in the 71
superior court for the judicial district of Hartford or for the judicial 72
district of Bridgeport, any question of law is raised which any party to 73
the complaint claims should be reviewed by the Supreme Court, [such 74
judge] the court , instead of filing the certificate of [his] the court's 75
finding or decision with the Secretary of the State, shall transmit the 76
same, including therein such questions of law, together with a proper 77
finding of facts, to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who shall 78
thereupon call a special session of [said court] the Supreme Court for 79
the purpose of an immediate hearing upon the questions of law so 80
certified. A copy of the finding and decision so certified by [the judge of 81
the Superior Court ] such superior court , together with the decision of 82
the Supreme Court, on the questions of law therein certified, shall be 83
attested by the clerk of the Supreme Court, and by [him] such clerk 84
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 4

transmitted to the Secretary of the State forthwith. The finding and 85
decision of [the judge of the Superior Court ] such superior court , 86
together with the decision of the Supreme Court on the questions of law 87
thus certified, shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating 88
to errors in the rulings of the election officials and to the correctness of 89
such count and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or 90
presiding officers so as to conform to such decision of [said court] the 91
Supreme Court . Nothing in this section shall be considered as 92
prohibiting an appeal to the Supreme Court from a final judgment of 93
[the Superior Court ] such superior court . The judges of the Supreme 94
Court may establish rules of procedure for the speedy and inexpensive 95
hearing of such appeals within fifteen days of such judgment of [a judge 96
of the Superior Court] such superior court. 97
Sec. 3. Section 9 -328 of the general statutes is repealed and the 98
following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and 99
applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 100
(a) Any elector or candidate claiming to have been aggrieved by any 101
ruling of any election official in connection with an election for any 102
municipal office or a primary for justice of the peace, or any elector or 103
candidate claiming that there has been a mistake in the count of votes 104
cast for any such office at such election or primary, or any candidate in 105
such an election or primary claiming that [he] such candidate is 106
aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9 -355, 9-357 to 9 -107
361, inclusive, or section 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee 108
ballots at such election or primary, may bring a complaint [to any judge 109
of the Superior Court ] in the superior court for the judicial district of 110
Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport for relief therefrom. In 111
any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the 112
complainant shall send a copy of the complaint by first -class mail, or 113
deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, to the State Elections 114
Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such 115
election or primary, [such judge] the court shall proceed expeditiously 116
to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the 117
hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections 118
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 5

Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to 119
such election or primary, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days 120
after such election or primary, except that if such complaint is brought 121
in response to the manual tabulation of paper ballots, authorized 122
pursuant to section 9 -320f, such complaint shall be brought not later 123
than seven days after the close of any such manual tabulation, to any 124
judge of [the Superior Court ] such superior court , in which [he] such 125
complainant shall set out the claimed errors of the election official, the 126
claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of [said sections. 127
Such judge] any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, or 128
section 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365. 129
(b) The court shall forthwith order a hearing to be [had] held upon 130
[such] a complaint filed under subsection (a) of this section, upon a day 131
not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such 132
order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five 133
days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election or 134
nomination may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such 135
election official, the Secretary of the State, the State Elections 136
Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom [such 137
judge] the court deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place for 138
the hearing upon such complaint. [Such judge] The court shall, on the 139
day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to 140
hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, [he] the court may order 141
any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened 142
and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. 143
[Such judge] The court shall thereupon, if [he] the court finds any error 144
in the rulings of the election official or any mistake in the count of the 145
votes, certify the result of [his] the court's finding or decision to the 146
Secretary of the State before the tenth day succeeding the conclusion of 147
the hearing. [Such judge] The court may order a new election or primary 148
or a change in the existing election schedule. [Such certificate of such 149
judge of his] 150
(c) The certificate of the court's finding or decision under subsection 151
(b) of this section shall be final and conclusive upon all questions 152
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 6

relating to errors in the ruling of such election officials, to the correctness 153
of such count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed 154
violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or 155
presiding officers, so as to conform to such finding or decision, except 156
that this section shall not affect the right of appeal to the Supreme Court 157
and [it] shall not prevent [such judge ] such superior court from 158
reserving such questions of law for the advice of the Supreme Court as 159
provided in section 9-325, as amended by this act. Such [judge] superior 160
court may, if necessary, issue [his] a writ of mandamus, requiring the 161
adverse party and those under [him] such party to deliver to the 162
complainant the appurtenances of such office, and shall cause [his] such 163
superior court's finding and [decree] decision to be entered on the 164
records of the Superior Court in the proper judicial district. 165
Sec. 4. Section 9 -329a of the general statutes is repealed and the 166
following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and 167
applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 168
(a) Any (1) elector or candidate aggrieved by a ruling of an election 169
official in connection with any primary held pursuant to (A) section 9 -170
423, 9 -425 or 9 -464, or (B) a special act, (2) elector or candidate who 171
alleges that there has been a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such 172
primary, or (3) candidate in such a primary who alleges that [he] such 173
candidate is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9-355, 174
9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, or section 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting 175
of absentee ballots at such primary, may bring [his] a complaint [to any 176
judge of the Superior Court] in the superior court for the judicial district 177
of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport for appropriate 178
action. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, 179
the complainant shall file a certification attached to the complaint 180
indicating that a copy of the complaint has been sent by first -class mail 181
or delivered to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such 182
complaint is made prior to such primary , [such judge] the court shall 183
proceed expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall 184
cause notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and 185
the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made 186
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 7

subsequent to such primary, [it] such complaint shall be brought [,] not 187
later than fourteen days after such primary [,] or, if such complaint is 188
brought in response to the manual tabulation of paper ballots [,] 189
described in section 9-320f, such complaint shall be brought [,] not later 190
than seven days after the close of any such manual tabulation, [to any 191
judge of the Superior Court] in such superior court. 192
(b) [Such judge] The court shall forthwith order a hearing to be held 193
upon [such] a complaint filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, 194
upon a day not more than five nor less than three days after the making 195
of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three days to be 196
given to any candidate or candidates in any way directly affected by the 197
decision upon such hearing, to such election official, to the Secretary of 198
the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other 199
person or persons, whom [such judge] the court deems proper parties 200
thereto, of the time and place of the hearing upon such complaint. [Such 201
judge] The court shall, on the day fixed for such hearing, and without 202
delay, proceed to hear the parties and determine the result. If, after 203
hearing, sufficient reason is shown, [such judge ] the court may order 204
any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened 205
and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. 206
[Such judge] The court shall thereupon, if [he] the court finds any error 207
in the ruling of the election official, any mistake in the count of the votes 208
or any violation of [said sections] any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 209
to 9-361, inclusive, or section 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365, certify the result of 210
[his] the court's finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before 211
the tenth day following the conclusion of the hearing. [Such judge] The 212
court may (1) determine the result of such primary; (2) order a change 213
in the existing primary schedule; or (3) order a new primary if [he] the 214
court finds that, but for the error in the ruling of the election official, any 215
mistake in the count of the votes or any violation of [said sections] any 216
provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, or section 9-364, 9-217
364a or 9-365, the result of such primary might have been different and 218
[he] the court is unable to determine the result of such primary. 219
(c) [The certification by the judge of his ] The certificate of the court's 220
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 8

finding or decision under subsection (b) of this section shall be final and 221
conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the ruling of such 222
election official, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes 223
of this section only, such alleged violations, and shall operate to correct 224
any returns or certificates filed by the election officials, unless the same 225
is appealed from as provided in section 9 -325, as amended by this act . 226
In the event a new primary is held pursuant to such [Superior Court] 227
order of such superior court , the result of such new primary shall be 228
final and conclusive unless a complaint is brought pursuant to this 229
section. The clerk of [the] such superior court shall forthwith transmit a 230
copy of such findings and order to the Secretary of the State. 231
Sec. 5. Section 9 -329b of the general statutes is repealed and the 232
following is substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and 233
applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 234
[(a) At any time prior to a primary held before April 1, 2024, and 235
pursuant to sections 9 -423, 9-425 and 9-464, or a special act, or prior to 236
any election held before April 1, 2024, the Superior Court may issue an 237
order removing a candidate from a ballot where it is shown that such 238
candidate is improperly on the ballot.] 239
[(b)] At any time prior to the commencement of the period of early 240
voting at a primary held [on or after April 1, 2024, and ] pursuant to 241
sections 9 -423, 9 -425 and 9 -464, or a special act, or prior to the 242
commencement of the period of early voting at any election, [held on or 243
after April 1, 2024, the Superior Court] the superior court for the judicial 244
district of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport may issue an 245
order removing a candidate from a ballot where it is shown that such 246
candidate is improperly on the ballot. 247
Sec. 6. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 248
9-368j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted 249
in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and applicable to complaints brought 250
on or after July 1, 2026): 251
(B) (i) In determining whether divergent voting patterns occur in a 252
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 9

municipality or whether a method of election in such municipality 253
results in a dilutive effect on the vote of protected class members, the 254
superior court for the judicial district [in which such municipality is 255
located] of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport (I) shall 256
consider elections held prior to the filing of an action pursuant to this 257
section as more probative than elections conducted after such filing, (II) 258
shall consider evidence concerning elections for any municipal office in 259
such municipality as more probative than evidence concerning elections 260
for other offices, but may still afford probative value to evidence 261
concerning elections for such other offices, (III) shall consider statistical 262
evidence as more probative than nonstatistical evidence, (IV) in the case 263
of claims brought on behalf of two or more protected classes that are 264
politically cohesive in such municipality, shall combine members of 265
such protected classes to determine whether voting by such combined 266
protected class members is divergent from other electors and shall not 267
require evidence that voting by each such protected class's members is 268
separately divergent from such other electors, and (V) shall not require 269
evidence concerning the intent of electors, elected officials or such 270
municipality to discriminate against protected class members. 271
(ii) Evidence concerning the causes of, or reasons for, the occurrence 272
of divergent voting patterns shall not be deemed relevant to the 273
determination of whether divergent voting patterns occur or whether a 274
method of election results in a dilutive effect on the vote of protected 275
class members. 276
Sec. 7. Subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 9-368j of the general 277
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 278
(Effective July 1, 2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 279
2026): 280
(c) (1) In determining whether, based on the totality of the 281
circumstances, an impairment of the right to vote for any protected class 282
member in a municipality, or of the opportunity or ability of protected 283
class members in a municipality to participate in the political process 284
and elect candidates of their choice or otherwise influence the outcome 285
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 10

of elections, has occurred, the superior court for the judicial district [in 286
which such municipality is located ] of Hartford or for the judicial 287
district of Bridgeport may consider factors that include, but are not 288
limited to: (A) The history of discrimination in or affecting the 289
municipality or state; (B) the extent to which protected class members 290
have been elected to office in the municipality; (C) the use of any 291
qualification for eligibility to be an elector or other prerequisite to 292
voting, any statute, ordinance, regulation or other law regarding the 293
administration of elections, or any standard, practice, procedure or 294
policy, by the municipality that may enhance the dilutive effects of a 295
method of election in such municipality; (D) the extent of any history of 296
unequal access on the part of protected class members or candidates to 297
election administration or campaign finance processes that determine 298
which candidates will receive access to the ballot or financial or other 299
support in a given election for an office of the municipality; (E) the 300
extent to which protected class members in the municipality or state 301
have historically made expenditures, as defined in section 9 -601b, at 302
lower rates than other individuals in such municipality or state; (F) the 303
extent to which protected class members in the municipality or state 304
vote at lower rates than other electors in the municipality or state, as 305
applicable; (G) the extent to which protected class members in the 306
municipality are disadvantaged, or otherwise bear the effects of public 307
or private discrimination, in areas that may hinder their ability to 308
participate effectively in the political process, such as education, 309
employment, health, criminal justice, housing, transportation, land use 310
or environmental protection; (H) the extent to which protected class 311
members in the municipality are disadvantaged in other areas that may 312
hinder their ability to participate effectively in the political process; (I) 313
the use of overt or subtle racial appeals in political campaigns in the 314
municipality or surrounding the adoption or maintenance of a 315
challenged practice; (J) the extent to which candidates face hostility or 316
barriers while campaigning due to their membership in a protected 317
class; (K) a significant or recurring lack of responsiveness on the part of 318
elected officials of the municipality to the particularized needs of a 319
community or communities of protected class members, except that 320
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 11

compliance with a court order shall not be considered to be evidence of 321
such responsiveness; and (L) whether the particular method of election, 322
ordinance, regulation or other law regarding the administration of 323
elections, standard, practice, procedure or policy was designed to 324
advance, and does materially advance, a valid state interest. 325
Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 9 -368j of the general statutes is 326
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 327
2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 328
(d) Any individual aggrieved by a violation of this section, any 329
organization whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by 330
such a violation or the Secretary of the State may file an action alleging 331
a violation of this section in the superior court for the judicial district [in 332
which such violation has occurred] of Hartford or for the judicial district 333
of Bridgeport . Members of two or more protected classes that are 334
politically cohesive in a municipality may jointly file such an action in 335
such court. 336
Sec. 9. Subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 9-368j of the general 337
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 338
(Effective July 1, 2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 339
2026): 340
(e) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of this title and any special act, 341
charter or home rule ordinance, whenever the superior court for [a] the 342
judicial district of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport finds 343
a violation by a municipality [within such judicial district ] of any 344
provision of this section, such court shall order appropriate remedies 345
that are tailored to address such violation in such municipality and to 346
ensure protected class members have equitable opportunities to fully 347
participate in the political process and that can be implemented in a 348
manner that will not unduly disrupt the administration of an ongoing 349
or imminent election. Such court shall take into account the ability of 350
officials who administer elections in such municipality to implement 351
any change to voting for an ongoing or imminent election in a manner 352
that is orderly and fiscally sound, and shall not order any remedy that 353
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 12

contravenes the Constitution of Connecticut. Appropriate remedies 354
may include, but need not be limited to: (A) A district-based method of 355
election; (B) an alternative method of election; (C) new or revised 356
districting or redistricting plans; (D) elimination of staggered elections 357
so that all members of the legislative body are elected at the same time; 358
(E) reasonably increasing the size of the legislative body; (F) additional 359
voting days or hours; (G) additional polling places; (H) additional 360
means of voting, such as voting by mail, or additional opportunities to 361
return ballots; (I) holding of special elections; (J) expanded 362
opportunities for admission of electors; (K) additional elector education; 363
(L) the restoration or addition of individuals to registry lists; or (M) 364
retaining jurisdiction for such period of time as the court may deem 365
appropriate, during which period no qualification for eligibility to be an 366
elector or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice or procedure with 367
respect to voting, that is different from that which was in effect at the 368
time an action under subsection (d) of this section was commenced shall 369
be enforced unless the court finds that such qualification, prerequisite, 370
standard, practice or procedure does not have the purpose, and will not 371
have the effect, of impairing the right to vote on the basis of protected 372
class membership or in contravention of the guarantees with respect to 373
such right that are set forth in sections 9 -368j to 9 -368q, inclusive , as 374
amended by this act , provided, in any action brought pursuant to 375
chapter 149, any remedy ordered shall be consistent with the provisions 376
of said chapter. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (M) of 377
this subdivision, any such finding by the court shall not be a bar to any 378
subsequent action to enjoin enforcement of such qualification, 379
prerequisite, standard, practice or procedure. 380
Sec. 10. Subparagraphs (E) and (F) of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) 381
of section 9-368j of the general statutes are repealed and the following is 382
substituted in lieu thereof ( Effective July 1, 2026, and applicable to 383
complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 384
(E) If, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, a municipality 385
enacts or implements a remedy or the Secretary of the State approves a 386
proposed remedy, a party who sent a notification letter described in 387
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 13

subdivision (1) of this subsection regarding a potential violation that is 388
related to such remedy may, not later than thirty days after such 389
enactment, implementation or approval, submit a claim for 390
reimbursement from such municipality for the costs associated with 391
producing and sending such notification letter. Such party shall submit 392
such claim in writing and substantiate such claim with financial 393
documentation, including a detailed invoice for any demography 394
services or analysis of voting patterns in such municipality. Upon 395
receipt of any such claim, such municipality may request additional 396
financial documentation if that which has been provided by such party 397
is insufficient to substantiate such costs. Such municipality shall 398
reimburse such party for reasonable costs claimed or for an amount to 399
which such party and such municipality agree, except that the 400
cumulative amount of any such reimbursements to all such parties other 401
than the Secretary of the State shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars, 402
adjusted in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for 403
all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of 404
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. If any such party and such 405
municipality fail to agree to a reimbursement amount, either such party 406
or such municipality may file an action for a declaratory judgment with 407
the superior court for the judicial district [in which such municipality is 408
located] of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport for a 409
clarification of rights. 410
(F) (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a party 411
described in subsection (d) of this section may seek preliminary relief 412
for a regular election held in a municipality by filing an action pursuant 413
to this section during the one hundred twenty days prior to such regular 414
election. Not later than the filing of such action, such party shall send a 415
notification letter described in subdivision (1) of this subsection to such 416
municipality. In the event any such action is withdrawn or dismissed as 417
being moot as a result of such municipality's enactment or 418
implementation of a remedy, or the approval by the Secretary of the 419
State of a proposed remedy, any such party may only submit a claim for 420
reimbursement in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (E) 421
of this subdivision. 422
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 14

(ii) In the case of preliminary relief sought pursuant to subparagraph 423
(F)(i) of this subdivision by a party described in subsection (d) of this 424
section, the superior court for the judicial district [in which such 425
municipality is located ] of Hartford or for the judicial district of 426
Bridgeport shall grant such relief if such court determines that (I) such 427
party has shown a substantial likelihood of success on the merits, and 428
(II) it is possible to implement an appropriate remedy that would 429
resolve the violation alleged under this section prior to such election in 430
a manner that will not unduly disrupt such election. 431
Sec. 11. Subsection (g) of section 9 -368l of the general statutes is 432
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 433
2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 434
(g) Any individual aggrieved by a violation of this section, any 435
organization whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by 436
such a violation or the Secretary of the State may file an action alleging 437
a violation of this section in the superior court for the judicial district [in 438
which such violation has occurred] of Hartford or for the judicial district 439
of Bridgeport, except that no determination of the Secretary under this 440
section to designate a municipality or a language for the provision of 441
assistance shall constitute a violation of this section. 442
Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 9 -368m of the general statutes is 443
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 444
2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 445
(a) In accordance with the provisions of this section, the enactment or 446
implementation of a covered policy, as described in subsection (b) of this 447
section, by a covered jurisdiction, as described in subsection (c) of this 448
section, shall be subject to preclearance, as described in subsections (e) 449
and (f) of this section, by the Secretary of the State or the superior court 450
for the judicial district [in which such covered jurisdiction is located] of 451
Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport. 452
Sec. 13. Subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 9 -368m of the 453
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 454
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 15

thereof (Effective July 1, 2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after 455
July 1, 2026): 456
(f) (1) If a covered jurisdiction seeks preclearance from the superior 457
court for the judicial district [in which such covered jurisdiction is 458
located] of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport for the 459
adoption or implementation of any covered policy, in lieu of seeking 460
such preclearance from the Secretary of the State pursuant to subsection 461
(e) of this section, such covered jurisdiction shall submit, in writing, 462
such covered policy to such court and may obtain such preclearance in 463
accordance with the provisions of this subsection, provided (A) such 464
covered jurisdiction shall also contemporaneously transmit to the 465
Secretary of the State a copy of such submission, and (B) failure to so 466
provide such copy shall result in an automatic denial of such 467
preclearance. Notwithstanding the transmission to the Secretary of a 468
copy of any such submission, the court shall exercise exclusive 469
jurisdiction over such submission. The covered jurisdiction shall bear 470
the burden of proof in the court's determination as to preclearance. 471
Sec. 14. Subsection (g) of section 9 -368m of the general statutes is 472
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 473
2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after July 1, 2026): 474
(g) If any covered jurisdiction enacts or implements any covered 475
policy without obtaining preclearance for such covered policy in 476
accordance with the provisions of this section, the Secretary of the State 477
or any party described in subsection (d) of section 9 -368j, as amended 478
by this act, may file an action in the superior court for the judicial district 479
[in which such covered jurisdiction is located ] of Hartford or for the 480
judicial district of Bridgeport to enjoin such enactment or 481
implementation and seek sanctions against such covered jurisdiction for 482
violations of this section. 483
Sec. 15. Subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 9 -368n of the 484
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 485
thereof (Effective July 1, 2026, and applicable to complaints brought on or after 486
July 1, 2026): 487
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 16

(c) (1) Any individual aggrieved by a violation of this section or any 488
organization whose membership includes individuals aggrieved by 489
such a violation may file an action alleging a violation of this section in 490
the superior court for the judicial district [in which such violation has 491
occurred] of Hartford or for the judicial district of Bridgeport . Such an 492
action may be filed irrespective of any action that may be filed by the 493
State Elections Enforcement Commission, the Attorney General or the 494
State's Attorney as a result of such a violation. 495
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-324
Sec. 2 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-325
Sec. 3 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-328
Sec. 4 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-329a
Sec. 5 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-329b
Sec. 6 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368j(b)(2)(B)
Sec. 7 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368j(c)(1)
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 17

Sec. 8 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368j(d)
Sec. 9 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368j(e)(1)
Sec. 10 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368j(g)(2)(E) and (F)
Sec. 11 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368l(g)
Sec. 12 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368m(a)
Sec. 13 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368m(f)(1)
Sec. 14 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368m(g)
Sec. 15 July 1, 2026, and
applicable to complaints
brought on or after July 1,
2026
9-368n(c)(1)

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 3(c), references to "the court" were changed to references to
"such superior court" and " [under him ] thereunder" was changed to
"under [him] such party", for clarity.

GAE Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO

sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 18

The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill, which requires certain election -related cases to be handled
by the superior courts for the judicial districts of Hartford or Bridgeport,
is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact to the state, as the affected
state agencies can meet these requirements within existing resources.
The Out Years
State Impact: None
Municipal Impact: None

sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 19

OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5344

AN ACT CONCERNING SUPERIOR COURT VENUE FOR ELECTION
CASES.

SUMMARY
This bill requires certain election -related complaints, orders, and
determinations to be brought in or made by the Superior Courts for the
judicial districts of Hartford or Bridgeport, including actions under the
state’s voting rights act (VRA, see BACKGROUND). Current law allows
any Superior Court with jurisdiction to hear these complaints or
conduct these actions.
Under the bill, the following complaints, orders, and determinations
are subject to this change in jurisdiction:
1. complaints about elections for statewide offices and probate
judges (§§ 1 & 2);
2. complaints about elections for municipal offices or primaries for
justices of the peace (§ 3);
3. complaints about the presidential preference primary; primaries
for state, district, or municipal office; town committee primaries;
or a primary pursuant to a special act (§ 4);
4. orders for removing a candidate’s name that is improperly on a
ballot in those primaries or any election (§ 5); and
5. actions brought under the state VRA, including complaints and
determinations about voting discrimination (§§ 6 -8 & 10);
ordering remedies under the state VRA (§ 9); language assistance
violations (§ 11); violations of preclearance requirements ( § 14;
see below); and claims of intimidation, deception, or obstructing
sHB5344 File No. 194

sHB5344 / File No. 194 20

the right to vote (§ 15).
Current law also requires certain jurisdictions to get preclearance
from the secretary of the state or the Superior Court where the
municipality is located before enacting or implementing certain election
policies or requirements. The bill instead requires these jurisdictions to
receive preclearance from either the secretary or the Hartford or
Bridgeport Superior Courts (§§ 12 & 13).
It also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2026, and applicable to complaints filed on
or after this date.
BACKGROUND
State Voting Rights Act
In 2023, the state adopted legislation that generally codified several
aspects of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 into state law. Broadly,
the state’s law prohibits municipalities from (1) employing election
methods in municipal elections that dilute the vote of protected class
members or (2) imposing certain practices or policies in a way that
impairs protected class members’ right to vote. It also auth orizes the
secretary of the state and certain aggrieved parties to file a civil action
after following certain procedures.
Additionally, it generally prohibits engaging in intimidating,
deceptive, or obstructive acts that affect the right to vote, requires
certain municipalities to provide language -related assistance in voting
and elections, and generally allows the secretary and certain aggrieved
parties to file court actions alleging violations.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 13 Nay 6 (03/11/2026)