The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7241 seeks to broaden absentee voting eligibility in Connecticut by repealing and replacing Section 9-135 of the general statutes. The new legislation allows any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide specific reasons for their absence from the polling place on election day. This change eliminates the previous requirement that voters demonstrate they are unable to appear due to circumstances such as military service, illness, or religious obligations. The bill also updates the language in the absentee ballot application to indicate that voters "will not" appear at their polling place, rather than "expect to be unable to." Additionally, it repeals certain subsections related to the distribution of absentee ballot applications and establishes new requirements for individuals distributing these applications, including registration with the town clerk and maintaining a list of recipients.

Further amendments in the bill clarify absentee voting procedures for municipal elections and referendums. It allows electors voting by absentee ballot to participate in questions submitted for a vote, changing the language from "entitled to vote" to "voting" and from "shall be entitled to" to "may." Municipal clerks are required to file a statement with the Secretary of the State regarding ballot questions at least 45 days before the election, and the full text of the question must be available for public inspection. The bill also modifies eligibility criteria for absentee voting at referendums and allows individuals who enroll in a political party during early voting to vote absentee or in person on primary day. The act will take effect upon passage and amends several sections of the general statutes related to absentee voting and election procedures.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-135, 9-137, 9-153a, 9-369a
GAE Joint Favorable: 9-135, 9-137, 9-153a, 9-369a
File No. 652: 9-135, 9-137, 9-153a, 9-369a
APP Joint Favorable: 9-135, 9-137, 9-153a, 9-369a