Substitute House Bill No. 7229 seeks to improve the accessibility of absentee ballots for individuals in state custody who retain their voting rights. The bill requires the Secretary of the State to create a specific absentee ballot application form tailored for use within Department of Correction (DOC) facilities, which must include necessary information and indicate that it is exclusively for incarcerated applicants. It also mandates that if an applicant is transferred to another correctional facility, the Commissioner of Correction must ensure the absentee voting materials are delivered to the new location. Additionally, the bill exempts DOC employees from certain registration requirements when distributing these forms, streamlining the process for incarcerated voters.

The legislation also clarifies that individuals in state custody with intact voting rights are considered absent from their town or city for voting purposes, regardless of the facility's location. This change allows eligible voters in DOC facilities to apply for absentee ballots without the previous requirement of being absent from their town. The bill includes technical amendments to sections 9-139a, 9-140, and 9-14a of the general statutes, specifying the information required on absentee ballot applications and establishing a logging process for municipal clerks. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure that those in correctional facilities can participate in elections more easily.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-139a, 9-14a
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-139a, 9-14a
File No. 694: 9-139a, 9-14a