Substitute House Bill No. 7230 seeks to amend existing election laws in Connecticut, particularly focusing on the procedures for filing complaints related to election rulings and vote counts. The bill repeals and replaces Section 9-324, allowing any elector or candidate aggrieved by an election official's decision to file a complaint in the Superior Court for the judicial districts of Hartford or Bridgeport. It establishes a timeline for filing complaints—within fourteen days after an election or seven days after a manual ballot tabulation—and requires complainants to notify the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 9-325, changing the process for legal questions arising during hearings, which will now be reviewed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court instead of the Secretary of the State.

The bill also centralizes jurisdiction for various election-related complaints, including those concerning the removal of candidates from ballots and violations of election laws, to the Superior Courts in Hartford or Bridgeport. It emphasizes timely filing and provides the court with the authority to order recounts and certify results, with decisions being final unless appealed. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for addressing systemic barriers faced by protected classes in elections, allowing the court to impose tailored remedies to ensure equitable participation. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, applying to complaints and actions initiated on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-324, 9-325, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b, 9-453e, 9-453j, 9-453o, 9-410
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-324, 9-325, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b
File No. 651: 9-324, 9-325, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b