AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT.

Senate
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General Assembly File No. 228
February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No. 387

Senate, March 30, 2026

The Committee on Government Administration and Elections
reported through SEN. FLEXER of the 29th Dist., Chairperson
of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute
bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) ( Effective from passage ) (a) There is established a 1
Municipal Election Accountability Board, which shall be within the 2
office of the Secretary of the State for administrative purposes only, for 3
the purposes of (1) reviewing the administration of elections, primaries 4
and referenda, including the conduct of early voting, absentee voting 5
and same-day election registration, and the duties of election officials 6
under title 9 of the general statutes, in municipalities in this state 7
whenever such municipalities are referred to the board for such review, 8
(2) overseeing the administration of elections in such municipalities 9
where necessary, and (3) establishing procedural safeguards for the 10
effective conduct of such elections, primaries and referenda in such 11
municipalities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to (A) affect 12
the powers and duties of the Secretary of the State or the State Elections 13
Enforcement Commission under title 9 of the general statutes, including 14
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chapter 151a of the general statutes, (B) preclude any person from 15
seeking additional remedies under title 9 of the general statutes, 16
including under chapter 151a of the general statutes, or (C) otherwise 17
affect chapter 151a of the general statutes. 18
(b) (1) The Municipal Election Accountability Board shall be 19
comprised of: (A) The Secretary of the State, or the Secretary's designee, 20
who shall be the chairperson of the board; (B) the executive director of 21
the State Elections Enforcement Commission, or the executive director's 22
designee; (C) nine members appointed by the Secretary of the State, with 23
the advice and consent of the General Assembly, as follows: (i) One 24
member who shall be admitted to the practice of law in this state and 25
who has expertise in election law; (ii) two members who shall be 26
moderators certified under section 9 -229 of the general statutes and 27
enrolled in different political parties, to be selected from a list of five 28
recommendations from each major party, as defined in section 9 -372 of 29
the general statutes, such list to be provided by an association 30
representing the interests of registrars of voters in the state; (iii) two 31
members who shall be registrars of voters and enrolled in different 32
political parties, to be selected from a list of five recommendations from 33
each major party, such list to be provided by an association representing 34
the interests of registrars of voters in the state; (iv) two members who 35
shall be town clerks and enrolled in different political parties, to be 36
selected from a list of five recommendations from each major party, 37
such list to be provided by an association representing the interests of 38
town clerks in the state; and (v) two members who shall be chief elected 39
officials of municipalities and enrolled in different political parties, to be 40
selected from a list of five recommendations from each major party, 41
such list to be provided jointly by a state-wide organization of municipal 42
leaders and an organization that advocates for the interests of small 43
towns in the state; and (D) one member appointed by each of the four 44
legislative leaders, as defined in section 4-9d of the general statutes, who 45
shall have expertise in election administration or election law. 46
Appointments under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of this subdivision 47
shall be made so that no single municipality is represented by more than 48
one member. 49
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(2) Members described in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subdivision 50
(1) of this subsection shall serve for a term of four years and until a 51
successor is appointed, and initial appointments of such members shall 52
be made not later than August 1, 2026. Members described in said 53
subparagraphs shall recuse themselves from participating in any 54
proceeding of the board on any matter in which a conflict exists due to 55
such member or the immediate family of such member being involved 56
in any matter before said board, including, but not limited to, a matter 57
concerning a town appearing before said board that such member 58
represents on said board. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing 59
authority for the remainder of the applicable member's unexpired term. 60
The members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall 61
be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. 62
For the purposes of this subdivision, "immediate family" means a 63
dependent relative who resides in the member's household or any 64
spouse, child, parent or sibling of the member. 65
(c) (1) Beginning on the second Tuesday of January, 2027, and 66
monthly thereafter, the Municipal Election Accountability Board shall 67
hold a regularly scheduled meeting. 68
(2) All regularly scheduled meetings shall be noticed on the Internet 69
web site of the office of the Secretary of the State. In the event of any 70
review hearing or preliminary review to be held under section 2 of this 71
act, information regarding such hearing or review shall be added to 72
such notice not later than forty-eight hours prior to any such meeting. 73
(3) A vacancy on the board shall not impair the right of the remaining 74
members to exercise all powers of the board, except that a majority of 75
the total membership of the board shall constitute a quorum for the 76
transaction of business. 77
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2027) (a) (1) Whenever the Secretary 78
of the State or the State Elections Enforcement Commission is of the 79
opinion that a reasonable likelihood of irregularity or impropriety in the 80
administration of any election, primary or referendum in a municipality 81
exists, based on any formal or informal complaint received by the 82
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Secretary or the commission from an individual, the Secretary or the 83
commission, as applicable, may refer such municipality to the 84
Municipal Election Accountability Board for a review hearing on such 85
municipality's procedures related to the conduct of any such election, 86
primary or referendum. Any such referral shall be accompanied by 87
supporting evidence, including, but not limited to, affidavits, written or 88
electronic correspondence or documented findings from an 89
investigation. 90
(2) Whenever a judge of the Superior Court is of the opinion that a 91
reasonable likelihood of irregularity or impropriety in the 92
administration of any election, primary or referendum in a municipality 93
exists, based on a matter before such court involving such municipality's 94
alleged violation of any provision of title 9 of the general statutes, such 95
judge may refer such municipality to the Municipal Election 96
Accountability Board for a review hearing on such municipality's 97
procedures related to the conduct of any such election, primary or 98
referendum. Any such referral shall be accompanied by supporting 99
evidence, including, but not limited to, any record developed during a 100
judicial proceeding. 101
(3) (A) Whenever a municipal clerk, registrar of voters or moderator 102
observes any act or omission that may present an impediment to the 103
timely and orderly administration of any duty required of a 104
municipality under title 9 of the general statutes, or (B) whenever the 105
chief executive officer of a municipality, based on a review of such 106
municipality's practices, identifies any such practice that may present 107
such an impediment, such municipal clerk, registrar of voters, 108
moderator or chief executive officer, as applicable, may refer such 109
municipality to the Municipal Election Accountability Board for a 110
review hearing on such municipality's procedures related to the conduct 111
of elections, primaries and referenda. Any such referral shall be 112
accompanied by supporting evidence, including, but not limited to, 113
affidavits, written or electronic correspondence, procedure manuals and 114
other guidance documents and logs of absentee ballot applications, 115
moderator's diaries or other contemporaneously -produced notes or 116
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records. 117
(4) Whenever any citizen of the state has a good -faith belief that a 118
reasonable likelihood of irregularity or impropriety in the 119
administration of any election, primary or referendum in a municipality 120
exists, such citizen may file a report detailing such irregularity or 121
impropriety with the Municipal Election Accountability Board and 122
seeking a preliminary review of such municipality's procedures related 123
to the conduct of any such election, primary or referendum. Any such 124
report shall be accompanied by supporting evidence, including, but not 125
limited to, affidavits, written or electronic correspondence or 126
documented findings from an investigation. All submissions of such 127
supporting evidence shall be made under penalty of false statement. 128
(b) At the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Municipal Election 129
Accountability Board after the receipt of a citizen report under 130
subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section, the board shall hold a 131
preliminary review for the purpose of determining whether to hold a 132
review hearing under subsection (c) of this section. At such preliminary 133
review, the board shall vote to determine whether, if everything in the 134
citizen report is accurate, the reported municipality would be likely to 135
be designated for oversight in accordance with subsection (c) of this 136
section. In making such determination, the board shall consider (1) the 137
plausibility of the citizen report based on such report and supporting 138
evidence, (2) the nature and severity of the alleged irregularity or 139
impropriety, including whether any such irregularity or impropriety 140
would constitute a violation of the provisions of chapter 151 or 151a of 141
the general statutes, and (3) the frequency with which any such 142
irregularity or impropriety is alleged to have occurred in such reported 143
municipality. A preliminary review of a citizen report held under this 144
subsection shall not be considered a contested case under chapter 54 of 145
the general statutes. 146
(c) Immediately upon receipt of a referral under subdivisions (1) to 147
(3), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section or an affirmative vote at a 148
preliminary review of a citizen report held under subsection (b) of this 149
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section, the Municipal Election Accountability Board shall give notice of 150
such referral or citizen report to the referred municipality. Not later than 151
ten days after receipt of such notice, the referred municipality may 152
submit to the board a written response to such referral or citizen report. 153
Not later than forty -five days after receipt of such response or, if such 154
municipality does not submit such a written response, not later than 155
sixty days after the board gave notice of such referral or citizen report 156
to the referred municipality, the board shall hold a review hearing 157
during a regularly scheduled meeting of the board for the purpose of 158
presenting to such referred or reported municipality the evidence that 159
accompanied such referral or citizen report. The board may compel the 160
attendance of any person as a witness by subpoena issued by the board 161
and may compel the production for examination of any books and 162
papers that the board deems relevant to the matter in question. At such 163
review hearing, the chief executive officer, the corporation counsel or 164
any other duly authorized representative of such referred or reported 165
municipality shall have a right to respond to the evidence that 166
accompanied such referral or citizen report, including, but not limited 167
to, rebuttal of any fact alleged and confrontation of any witness. Not 168
later than the next regularly scheduled meeting after the review hearing, 169
the board shall vote to determine (1) whether to designate such referred 170
or reported municipality for oversight by the board in accordance with 171
the provisions of section 3 of this act, (2) if such oversight is deemed 172
necessary, the tier to which such municipality shall be designated, and 173
(3) if such oversight is deemed necessary, the length of time such 174
municipality shall be subject to such oversight. In making the 175
determination under subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection, 176
the board shall consider: (A) The referred or reported municipality's 177
response, if any, to the evidence that accompanied such referral or 178
citizen report, (B) the nature and severity of the alleged irregularity or 179
impropriety, including whether any such irregularity or impropriety 180
constitutes a violation of the provisions of chapter 151 or 151a of the 181
general statutes, and (C) the frequency with which any such irregularity 182
or impropriety appears to have occurred in such referred or reported 183
municipality. The determination of the board under this subsection may 184
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be appealed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the 185
general statutes. Any such appeal shall be privileged with respect to 186
assignment. 187
(d) The Municipal Election Accountability Board may refer to the 188
State Elections Enforcement Commission for further proceedings any 189
person relevant to a matter before the board concerning a referred or 190
reported municipality, in any case where the board believes such person 191
has violated any provision of the general statutes relating to any 192
election, primary or referendum. 193
Sec. 3. (NEW) ( Effective January 1, 2027 ) A referred municipality 194
designated by the Municipal Election Accountability Board as a: 195
(1) Tier I municipality shall be subject to oversight by the board 196
consisting of (A) development by such municipality of a plan to mitigate 197
the concerns that warranted such designation by the board, which shall 198
be submitted to the board for approval and modification as required by 199
the board, (B) mandatory training of election officials in election 200
administration procedures and best practices, conducted by the office of 201
the Secretary of the State or by a certified moderator, town clerk or 202
registrar of voters, or a combination thereof, selected by the Secretary of 203
the State, and (C) distribution by said office to such election officials of 204
instruction or training manuals or other resources for promoting best 205
practices in election administration. 206
(2) Tier II municipality shall be subject to oversight by the board 207
consisting of (A) the measures provided under subdivision (1) of this 208
section for a Tier I municipality, and (B) regular contact with the 209
municipality to ensure (i) compliance with the developed mitigation 210
plan and timely achievement of the benchmarks set forth in such 211
mitigation plan, (ii) attendance of election officials at all mandatory 212
training, and (iii) distribution of manuals or resources in accordance 213
with the provisions of subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this 214
section. 215
(3) Tier III municipality shall be subject to oversight by the board 216
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consisting of (A) the measures provided under subdivision (2) of this 217
section for a Tier II municipality, and (B) an election monitor appointed 218
by the board (i) who shall be authorized to (I) conduct inspections, 219
inquiries and investigations related to any duty or responsibility under 220
title 9 of the general statutes to be carried out by any official of such 221
municipality or appointee of such official, (II) have access to all records, 222
data and material maintained by or available to any such official or 223
appointee, and (III) immediately report to the Secretary of the State any 224
irregularity or impropriety in the performance of any duty or 225
responsibility described in subparagraph (B)(i)(I) of this subdivision, 226
and (ii) who shall be provided, by such municipality, any office space, 227
supplies, equipment and services necessary to properly carry out such 228
election monitor's duties and responsibilities. 229
(4) Tier IV municipality shall be subject to oversight by the board 230
consisting of the complete administration by the board of any election, 231
primary or referendum in such municipality, and all procedures related 232
to the orderly conduct of any such election, primary or referendum, 233
notwithstanding the provisions of (A) titles 7 and 9 of the general 234
statutes, (B) any special act, and (C) any charter or home rule ordinance 235
adopted pursuant to chapter 99 of the general statutes. 236
Sec. 4. (NEW) ( Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2027, 237
the Municipal Election Accountability Board shall adopt regulations, in 238
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, as 239
the board deems necessary to implement the provisions of sections 1 to 240
3, inclusive, of this act. 241
Sec. 5. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9 -7b of the 2026 242
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is 243
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2027): 244
(1) To make investigations (A) on its own initiative , [or] (B) with 245
respect to statements filed with the commission by the Secretary of the 246
State, any town clerk or any registrar of voters , [or] (C) upon written 247
complaint under oath by any individual, or (D) upon referral from the 248
Municipal Election Accountability Board pursuant to subsection (d) of 249
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section 2 of this act, with respect to alleged violations of any provision 250
of the general statutes relating to any election or referendum, any 251
primary held pursuant to section 9 -423, 9-425 or 9 -464 or any primary 252
held pursuant to a special act, and to hold hearings when the 253
commission deems necessary to investigate violations of any provisions 254
of the general statutes relating to any such election, primary or 255
referendum, and for the purpose of such hearings the commission may 256
administer oaths, examine witnesses and receive oral and documentary 257
evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses under 258
procedural rules the commission shall adopt, to compel their attendance 259
and to require the production for examination of any books and papers 260
which the commission deems relevant to any matter under investigation 261
or in question. Until the commission determines that it is necessary to 262
investigate a violation, commission members and staff shall keep 263
confidential any information concerning a complaint or preliminary 264
investigation, except upon request of the treasurer, deputy treasurer, 265
chairperson or candidate affiliated with a committee that is the subject 266
of the complaint or preliminary investigation. In connection with its 267
investigation of any alleged violation of any provision of chapter 145, or 268
of any provision of section 9-359 or section 9-359a, the commission shall 269
also have the power to subpoena any municipal clerk and to require the 270
production for examination of any absentee ballot, inner and outer 271
envelope from which any such ballot has been removed, depository 272
envelope containing any such ballot or inner or outer envelope as 273
provided in sections 9 -150a and 9 -150b and any other record, form or 274
document as provided in section 9-150b, in connection with the election, 275
primary or referendum to which the investigation relates. In case of a 276
refusal to comply with any subpoena issued pursuant to this subsection 277
or to testify with respect to any matter upon which that person may be 278
lawfully interrogated, the superior court for the judicial district of 279
Hartford, on application of the commission, may issue an order 280
requiring such person to comply with such subpoena and to testify; 281
failure to obey any such order of the court may be punished by the court 282
as a contempt thereof. In any matter under investigation which concerns 283
the operation or inspection of or outcome recorded on any voting 284
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tabulator, the commission may issue an order to the registrars of voters 285
to impound such tabulator until the investigation is completed; 286
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Section 1 from passage New section
Sec. 2 January 1, 2027 New section
Sec. 3 January 1, 2027 New section
Sec. 4 from passage New section
Sec. 5 January 1, 2027 9-7b(a)(1)

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
The provisions of Section 1(b)(1)(C)(ii) to (v), inclusive, were rewritten
for clarity; and in Section 2(a)(4), "correspondence and" was changed to
"correspondence or" for consistency.

GAE Joint Favorable Subst.

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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:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Secretary of the State GF - Cost 385,100 375,100
Secretary of the State GF - Cost See Below See Below
State Comptroller - Fringe
Benefits1
GF - Cost 157,000 157,000
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact:
Municipalities Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $
Various Municipalities Potential
Cost
See Below See Below

Explanation
The bill establishes the Municipal Election Accountability Board
(MEAB) within the Office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS) and
empowers the board to review misconduct and provide oversight The
bill results in a General Fund cost of approximately $542,100 in FY 27
and $532,100 annually thereafter, primarily to SOTS and a potential cost
to municipalities that become subject to MEAB oversight.
The bill results in a cost of $385, 100 in FY 2 7 and $375,100 annually
thereafter for salary and other expenses2 to SOTS and $157,000 in fringe
annually to support four staff members 3 to facilitate the board as

1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts
administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost
associated with most personnel changes is 41.82% of payroll in FY 27.
2 Other expenses are expected to total $10,000 in FY 27 only for the new staff's laptops
and other equipment.
3 This includes an Executive Officer, Staff Attorney II, Elections Officer, and an
Administrative Assistant.
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outlined in the bill. The additional staff will provide analysis for the
board and recommendations for municipalities under board oversight.
There is an additional cost to SOTS , likely minimal, to reimburse the
board members for reasonable expenses.
The bill additionally results in a potential cost to municipalities
associated with the oversight of the board. MEAB is empowered to place
municipalities under certain circumstances in one of four tiers of
oversight. Each level of oversight prescribes different provisions which
municipalities must comply. The exact cost would depend on the
number of municipalities subject to board oversight, the level of
oversight imposed, and resources required.
The Out Years
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would
continue into the future , subject to inflation and oversight decisions of
MEAB.

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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 387

AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OVERSIGHT.

SUMMARY
This bill establishes a 15 -person Municipal Election Accountability
Board to receive referrals of election administration violations from
certain state entities, courts, election and municipal officials, and state
citizens (such as early voting, absentee voting, and same -day election
registration violations, as well as election official duties). The bill
authorizes the board to (1) hold review hearings to determine if
violations occurred; (2) if violations took place, order varying oversight
levels for election administration and establish procedural safeguards,
up to a full intervention ; and (3) refer matters to the State Election
Enforcement Commission (SEEC).
The bill places the board within the Secretary of the State’s office for
administrative purposes only and specifies that it does not affect (1)
SEEC’s or the secretary’s existing election oversight authority ; (2) the
state’s Voting Rights Act (VRA, Chapter 151a) ; and (3) anyone seeking
alternative remedies state election law allows, including under the state
VRA.
The board must adopt any regulations it deems necessary to
implement the bill’s provisions by January 1, 2027.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2027, except th e provisions
establishing the board and requiring it to adopt regulations take effect
upon passage.
BOARD OPERATIONS
Board Membership
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Under the bill, the board consists of 15 members. It includes the
secretary of the state and SEEC’s executive director, or their designees,
and 13 appointed members as shown in the table below. The secretary
of the state (or her designee) serves as the board’s chairperson.
Table: Appointed Members
Appointing Authority Number Qualification
House speaker, senate
president pro tempore, and
house and senate minority
leaders
One each Election administration or election law
experience
Secretary of the State Nine
• One admitted to practice law in the state
with election law expertise
• Two certified moderators from different
political parties and chosen from a list of
recommendations from an organization
representing registrars of voters’
interests
• Two registrars of voters from different
political parties and chosen from a list of
recommendations from an organization
representing registrars of voters’
interests
• Two town clerks from different political
parties and chosen from a list of
recommendations from an organization
representing town clerk interests
• Two municipal chief elected officials of
different political parties and from a list of
joint recommendations from an
organization that advocates for small
town interests and a statewide
organization of municipal leaders

Any lists an organization provides must have five members of each
major party for the secretary to consider and her appointments are
subject to legislative approval. Among all appointed members, a
municipality may only be represented once on the board. The
appointments are for four -year terms and until successors are
appointed. Initial appointments must be made by August 1, 2026. An y
vacancy must be filled by the appointing authority for the original
member’s remaining term.
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Board Logistics
The bill requires the board to have monthly meetings starting on the
second Tuesday of January in 2027. These meetings must be noticed on
the secretary of the state’s website, and any review hearing or
preliminary review (see below) must be added to this notice at least 48
hours before the scheduled meeting. A majority of the total membership
constitutes a quorum for transacting business.
Under the bill, appointed members must recuse themselves from
participating in a board proceeding if they, a town they represent, or an
immediate family member is involved in the matter. Immediate family
includes a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, as well as any dependent
relative living in the member’s home.
The bill specifies that members are not compensated for serving on
the board but can be reimbursed for expenses incurred in performing
their duties. Further, a board vacancy does not impair the right of the
remaining members to exercise the board’s powers.
REFERRAL TO THE BOARD
Secretary of the State or SEEC
The bill allows the secretary of the state or SEEC to refer a
municipality to the board if either believes, based on any formal or
informal complaints they receive, that there is a reasonable likelihood of
irregularity or impropriety in municipal election administration (for an
election, primary, or referendum). They must include any supporting
evidence with the referral, such as affidavits, written or electronic
correspondence, or documented findings from an investigation.
Superior Court
A Superior Court judge may also refer a municipality to the board
based on a matter before the court about an alleged election violation by
the municipality due to there being a reasonable likelihood of
irregularity or impropriety. The judge must include any supporting
evidence with the referral, including any record developed during a
judicial proceeding.
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Municipal Officers and Election Officials
The bill allows a town clerk, registrar of voters, or moderator to refer
a municipality to the board if they observe an act or omission in a
municipality that may interfere with the timely and orderly
administration of required election administration duties. Similarly, a
municipality’s chief executive officer (CEO) may do this after reviewing
the municipality’s practices. The municipal official must include any
supporting evidence, including affidavits, written or electronic
correspondence, procedure manua ls and other guidance documents,
absentee ballot application logs, moderator’s diaries, or other
contemporaneously produced notes or records.
State Citizens
A state citizen may file a report with the board for a preliminary
review if he or she has a good -faith belief that there is a reasonable
likelihood of an irregularity or impropriety in municipal election
administration. The citizen must give supporting evidence, including
things like affidavits, written or electronic correspondence, or
documented findings from an investigation. These submissions must be
made under the penalty of false statement. By law, false statement is a
class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in prison, a fine of
up to $2,000, or both (CGS § 53a-157b).
BOARD REVIEW
Preliminary Review
After receiving a report from a state citizen, the board must conduct
a preliminary review at the next regularly scheduled board meeting and
vote on whether to have a review hearing (see below).
In making the determination, the board must consider if the reported
municipality would likely be designated for oversight under the bill’s
provisions if everything in the citizen report is considered accurate
based on (1) the report’s plausibility from the supporting evidence; (2)
the nature and severity of the alleged irregularity or impropriety,
including whether it would constitute an election crime or violate the
state VRA; and (3) how often these irregularities or improprieties appear
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to happen.
The bill specifies that a preliminary review is not considered a
contested case under the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act
(UAPA).
Review Hearing
Under the bill, when a municipality is referred by one of the above
state or municipal entities, or if the board voted to do a review hearing
on a citizen report, the board must notify the municipality. The
municipality must have the opportunity to submit a written response to
the referral or report within 10 days after receiving the notice. (The bill
does not require the board to give the municipality any information or
evidence on the matter.)
Within (1) 45 days after receiving the municipality’s response or (2)
60 days after the board notified the municipality and it received no
response, the board must hold a review hearing during a regularly
scheduled meeting. At the hearing, the board must present any evidence
that accompanied the referral or report. The bill authorizes the board to
subpoena to compel (1) any witness to testify and (2) the production or
examination of any books or papers the board deems relevant to the
matter.
The municipality has the right to respond to this evidence, including
rebutting any fact alleged or confronting witnesses. The municipality
may be represented by the municipal CEO, corporation counsel, or any
other authorized representative.
By the next regularly scheduled meeting, the board must vote on
whether to designate a municipality for oversight. In making its
decision, the board must consider (1) the municipality’s response to the
evidence; (2) the nature and severity of the alleged i rregularities or
improprieties, including if an election crime or a violation of the state’s
VRA occurred; and (3) how often the irregularities or improprieties
appeared to occur.
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If oversight is approved, the board must determine the tier of
oversight to be applied (see below) and specify its duration. The board’s
determination is appealable under the UAPA and is privileged for
assignment.
SEEC Referral
The bill authorizes the board to refer individuals to SEEC for further
proceedings if the board believes, based on matters before it, an
individual violated the state’s elections laws. The bill correspondingly
authorizes SEEC to investigate based on these referrals.
OVERSIGHT TIERS
The bill establishes four tiers of oversight that the board may
implement. Low-numbered tiers generally warrant less oversight while
high-numbered tiers warrant more.
Tiers I & II
Under the bill, Tier I oversight consists of the following:
1. developing and submitting a plan to mitigate the board’s
concerns, subject to the board’s modifications and approval;
2. mandatory training for election officials in election
administration procedures and best practices from (a) the
secretary of the state; (b) certified moderators, town clerks, or
registrars selected by the secretary; or (c) a combination of them
the secretary chooses; and
3. distributing instruction or training manuals or other resources to
promote election administration best practices.
Tier II oversight consists of all measures for Tier I, plus regular board
contact with the municipality to ensure compliance with the above
requirements.
Tier III
Under Tier III oversight, a municipality may be subject to any
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interventions authorized under lower oversight tiers. The municipality
is also subject to a board -appointed election monitor authorized to do
inspections, inquiries, and investigations related to election
administration duties and responsibilities performed by municipal
officials and their appointees. The bill requires a monitor to immediately
report any irregularity or impropriety discovered in these efforts to the
secretary. To carry out these duties, it requires that the monitor have
access to a ll records, data, and material maintained or available to the
officials or appointees.
Further, the municipality must give the monitor any office space,
supplies, equipment, and services needed to perform these
responsibilities.
Tier IV
Tier IV oversight consists of complete board administration of any
election, primary, or referendum in the municipality and related
procedures, regardless of any other provision of the state’s municipal or
election laws, any special act, or any charter or home rule ordinance.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 18 Nay 1 (03/11/2026)