Substitute House Bill No. 5001, also known as Public Act No. 26-42, implements comprehensive reforms to absentee voting and election administration in Connecticut. The bill eliminates the requirement for voters to provide specific reasons for requesting an absentee ballot, allowing any eligible elector to vote absentee by simply submitting an application. It introduces a unique ballot identification number for tracking purposes and mandates that absentee ballots be returned in a sealed envelope containing identifying information. Additionally, the bill requires the use of a privacy sleeve for ballots and emphasizes clear instructions for voters, particularly those who are incarcerated. The Secretary of the State is tasked with providing necessary materials to municipal clerks and ensuring compliance with updated regulations.

Further amendments focus on enhancing the integrity and accessibility of the absentee voting process. The bill establishes new procedures for the handling and counting of absentee ballots, including the requirement for municipal clerks to maintain logs of absentee ballot applications and to ensure that no promotional materials accompany these applications. It also introduces penalties for misrepresenting absentee voting eligibility and outlines the responsibilities of election officials in maintaining the integrity of the voting process. The legislation aims to streamline absentee voting procedures, enhance voter participation, and ensure compliance with legal requirements, while also addressing issues related to candidate endorsements and the election grievance process.

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
File No. 725: 9-135, 9-137, 9-140a, 9-140c, 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, 9-364a, 9-352, 9-192a, 9-6
Public Act No. 26-42: 9-135, 9-137, 9-140a, 9-140c, 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, 9-364a, 9-352, 9-192a, 9-6