Substitute Bill No. 7228 proposes significant reforms to the administration of elections in Connecticut, particularly focusing on absentee ballot procedures. Key amendments include the requirement for municipal clerks to retain unopened absentee ballot envelopes, endorse them with the date, time, and method of receipt, and record the method of return for each ballot. The bill also adjusts the timeline for sorting and checking absentee ballots, moving the start date from seven days before an election to fourteen days prior. Additionally, it mandates that clerks submit a report to the Secretary of the State detailing the total count of absentee ballots returned, categorized by the method of return. The bill also clarifies the handling of ballots received after the deadline and introduces new security measures for counting absentee ballots.

Further changes include the repeal and replacement of Section 9-147a, which outlines the counting process for absentee ballots, allowing for processing at a designated central location before election day, contingent upon certification to the Secretary of the State. The bill also modifies the deadline for voters to withdraw their absentee ballots from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the fourth day before the election and emphasizes public transparency in the announcement of election results. Additionally, it streamlines the process for obtaining and filing petition forms for candidacies in municipal elections, shifting responsibilities to the Secretary of the State and requiring more detailed information on petition forms. Overall, these reforms aim to enhance the integrity, transparency, and efficiency of the electoral process in Connecticut, with an effective date set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-140c, 9-147a, 9-159o, 9-163bb, 9-409, 9-309, 9-261c, 9-438
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-140c, 9-147a, 9-159o, 9-163bb, 9-409, 9-309
File No. 693: 9-140c, 9-159o, 9-163bb, 9-409, 9-309
APP Joint Favorable: 9-140c, 9-147a, 9-159o, 9-163bb, 9-409, 9-309