The bill, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1516, proposes significant amendments to Connecticut's election laws aimed at enhancing the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process. Key changes include the repeal of Section 9-322a, which previously mandated meetings among election officials to identify errors in election returns. The new language requires these officials to meet within a specified timeframe to correct errors and file amended returns with the Secretary of the State. Additionally, town clerks are now required to submit a consolidated listing of official returns within twenty-one days after each regular state election, eliminating the previous district-based reporting requirement. The bill also introduces provisions for curbside voting for electors with incapacity, updates regulations on solicitation near polling places, and clarifies the responsibilities of municipal counsels regarding voting rights-related legal proceedings.

Further amendments focus on the nomination process for candidates, including stricter requirements for circulators of primary petitions and the establishment of a Translation Advisory Committee to ensure the accuracy of election-related materials. The bill allows for corrections to candidate endorsements and nomination petitions, mandates that absentee ballots resemble official ballots, and requires election monitors to oversee elections in municipalities with populations over 140,000. It also restricts the disclosure of voter registration information and empowers the Secretary of the State to initiate legal actions to address grievances from electors. Overall, these changes aim to streamline election procedures, protect voter rights, and ensure compliance with state and federal election laws.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-322a, 9-236, 9-388, 9-400, 9-452, 9-453e, 9-453j, 9-250, 9-135b, 9-256, 9-50d, 9-3
GAE Joint Favorable: 9-322a, 9-236, 9-388, 9-400, 9-452, 9-453e, 9-453j, 9-250, 9-135b, 9-256, 9-50d, 9-3
File No. 673: 9-322a, 9-236, 9-388, 9-400, 9-452, 9-453e, 9-453j, 9-250, 9-135b, 9-256, 9-50d, 9-3