Senate Bill No. 1163 aims to enhance the qualifications for individuals appointed as moderators at elections and primaries by prohibiting registrars of voters from designating anyone who has been convicted of, or has pleaded guilty or no contest to, certain offenses. Specifically, this includes felonies related to fraud, forgery, larceny, embezzlement, bribery, or any criminal offense under the state's election laws. The bill replaces existing language in subsection (d) of section 9-229 and section 9-169 of the general statutes, ensuring that any new moderator appointed under these circumstances must attend instructional and certification sessions as required.

The bill also clarifies that if a designated moderator is unable to serve, a certified alternate moderator will take their place, and if no moderators are available due to disqualifications, the registrars must appoint a new moderator who meets the specified qualifications. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and are intended to maintain the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only qualified individuals serve in these critical roles. The fiscal impact of the bill is noted to be negligible for both the state and municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 9-229, 9-19j, 9-147c
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-169
File No. 531: 9-169