Substitute Bill No. 5001 proposes comprehensive reforms to absentee voting procedures and election administration in Connecticut. It repeals and replaces Section 9-135, allowing any eligible voter to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason, as long as they complete the application correctly. The bill also introduces a prohibition against misrepresenting absentee ballot eligibility requirements. Key amendments include changes to the return process for absentee ballots, requiring them to be submitted in a sealed envelope labeled "OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT" and mandating that the Secretary of the State provide clear instructions for absentee voting. Additionally, the bill allows for online submission of absentee ballot applications starting July 1, 2021, and establishes new regulations for the distribution and management of absentee ballots, including tracking and curing processes.

Further amendments focus on enhancing the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. The bill mandates that municipal clerks maintain logs of absentee ballot applications and prohibits candidates from sending unsolicited absentee ballot applications without proper disclaimers. It also clarifies the procedures for handling rejected ballots and establishes a pilot program for risk-limiting audits in state elections scheduled for 2026. The bill aims to streamline the absentee voting process, improve voter communication, and ensure compliance with updated legal standards, ultimately enhancing the integrity and accessibility of elections in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-135, 9-137, 9-369a, 9-258, 9-190b, 9-311b, 9-23l, 9-23m, 9-374, 9-153e, 9-153f, 9-158e, 9-158g, 9-140b, 7-22, 9-320f, 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-320g, 9-192b
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-135, 9-137, 9-140a, 9-140c, 9-140e, 9-153b, 9-153c, 9-153e, 9-153f, 9-158e, 9-158f, 9-158g, 9-158h, 9-159p, 9-359a, 9-369b, 9-369a, 9-164, 9-258, 9-190b, 9-311b, 9-23l, 9-23m, 9-374, 7-22, 9-320f, 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-320g
File No. 528: 9-135, 9-137, 9-140a, 9-140c, 9-140e, 9-153b, 9-153c, 9-153e, 9-153f, 9-158e, 9-158f, 9-158g, 9-158h, 9-359a, 9-369b, 9-369a, 9-164, 9-258, 9-190b, 9-311b, 9-23l, 9-23m, 9-374, 7-22, 9-320f, 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-320g
APP Joint Favorable: 9-135, 9-137, 9-140a, 9-140c, 9-140e, 9-153b, 9-153c, 9-153e, 9-153f, 9-158e, 9-158f, 9-158g, 9-158h, 9-159p, 9-359a, 9-369b, 9-369a, 9-164, 9-258, 9-190b, 9-311b, 9-23l, 9-23m, 9-374, 7-22, 9-320f, 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-320g