Substitute Bill No. 1535 aims to enhance early voting procedures in Connecticut, effective July 1, 2025. The bill establishes specific early voting periods for various elections, including regular elections, primaries, special elections, and presidential preference primaries, with designated start and end dates prior to the election. It allows unaffiliated electors to participate in primaries if they enroll with a political party by a specified deadline. Additionally, the bill modifies the responsibilities of registrars of voters, requiring them to submit annual written certifications of early voting locations to the Secretary of the State, who must approve or disapprove these certifications within a set timeframe. The bill also mandates the designation of early voting locations on college campuses and outlines the responsibilities of registrars during early voting, including the appointment of moderators and the provision of same-day registration opportunities.

Furthermore, the bill introduces significant changes to the handling and counting of early voting ballots, requiring that they be deposited directly into a voting tabulator rather than placed in a secured envelope. It establishes a seventy-five-foot radius around early voting locations where solicitation and campaigning are prohibited, ensuring the integrity of the voting process. The bill also streamlines same-day registration procedures, allowing individuals to register during early voting or on election day, and mandates that registrars verify applicants' status in the state-wide voter registration system. Key insertions include provisions that prohibit election officials from engaging in political party services on the day of their appointment and stricter criteria for appointing moderators based on prior convictions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and integrity of the electoral process in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-163aa, 9-163bb, 9-19j, 9-228a, 9-56, 9-250, 9-169
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-163aa, 9-163bb, 9-19j, 9-228a, 9-56, 9-169
File No. 663: 9-163aa, 9-163bb, 9-19j, 9-228a, 9-56, 9-169
APP Joint Favorable: 9-163aa, 9-163bb, 9-19j, 9-228a, 9-56, 9-169