The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7241 seeks to broaden absentee voting eligibility by allowing all electors to vote by absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason for their absence on the day of a primary, election, or referendum. This change is achieved by repealing and replacing Section 9-135 of the general statutes, which previously imposed restrictions on absentee ballot access. The bill simplifies the absentee ballot application process by changing the language from "expect to be unable to" to "will not" appear at the polling place. Additionally, it repeals certain subsections in Section 9-140 that limited the distribution of absentee ballot applications and required detailed eligibility explanations, while also mandating the Secretary of the State to provide clear absentee voting guidelines online.

Further amendments in the bill allow electors voting by absentee ballot to participate in questions submitted for a vote, modifying the language to enhance clarity and accessibility. It requires municipal clerks to file a statement regarding ballot questions with the Secretary of the State at least 45 days before the election and ensures that the full text of these questions is publicly available. The bill also clarifies absentee voting eligibility for referendums and removes restrictions related to enrolling in a political party during early voting. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the absentee voting process and promote greater voter participation, taking effect upon passage.

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