Substitute House Bill No. 5344 seeks to amend Connecticut's election-related complaint procedures by repealing and replacing Sections 9-324 and 9-325 of the general statutes. The bill allows any elector or candidate aggrieved by election officials' decisions or vote counts to file a complaint in the Superior Court for the Hartford or Bridgeport judicial districts. Complaints must be filed within fourteen days after an election or seven days after a manual tabulation of ballots, and the court is required to expedite hearings and may order recounts if necessary. The bill also changes the process for addressing legal questions during hearings, directing courts to transmit findings to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for immediate review instead of filing with the Secretary of the State.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the removal of candidates from ballots and establishes criteria for evaluating election practices that may disproportionately affect protected class members. It allows for tailored remedies to ensure equitable participation in the electoral process while emphasizing the need for compliance with the Constitution of Connecticut. The bill also modifies the reimbursement process for parties involved in election-related violations, specifying that claims must be submitted to municipalities within thirty days and establishing a cap on total reimbursements. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to complaints filed on or after that date, with the overall aim of enhancing the efficiency and clarity of the judicial process concerning election disputes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-324, 9-325, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b
GAE Joint Favorable: 9-324, 9-325, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b
File No. 194: 9-324, 9-325, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b