Substitute Senate Bill No. 459 seeks to amend existing laws governing the circulation of primary and nominating petitions, as well as the distribution of absentee ballot applications. Key provisions include a requirement that circulators of primary petition pages must be enrolled party members in the municipality where they circulate, supported by a signed statement from the registrar confirming their enrollment. The bill also prohibits individuals with felony convictions from circulating petitions during their probation or parole periods and for twelve years following their release. To ensure compliance, the Secretary of the State will conduct nationwide criminal background checks on circulators. Additionally, the bill mandates that circulators of nominating petitions must be U.S. citizens, at least eighteen years old, and residents of the town where they circulate, with similar restrictions on individuals with felony convictions.

The bill further modifies the regulations surrounding absentee ballot applications, eliminating the previous requirement for individuals to register with the town clerk when distributing five or more applications and removing the obligation to maintain a log of distributed applications. It prohibits candidates, parties, or political committees from mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications unless they include specific eligibility information and warnings about potential penalties for improper voting. The Secretary of the State is tasked with posting clear guidelines regarding absentee ballot applications on their website, and the State Elections Enforcement Commission is required to prepare a summary of absentee voting laws for campaign staff distribution. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the integrity of the election process by ensuring that circulators meet specific eligibility criteria and are subject to background checks, while also tightening regulations on absentee ballot application distribution.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-453e, 9-453j
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-453e, 9-453j
File No. 500: 9-453e, 9-453j