Connecticut Senate Bill SB00391

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/11
• Refer: 1/20/11

Caption

An Act Concerning Qualifications To Appear As A Candidate For President Or Vice-president On A Ballot In This State.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly affect the candidate qualification process in Connecticut for presidential elections. By codifying the requirement for presenting an original birth certificate as part of the qualification verification process, it would formalize a step intended to prevent unqualified candidates from appearing on ballots. This could lead to challenges regarding the validity of candidates' birth certificates and may affect the overall election landscape, particularly for those candidates who cannot provide satisfactory verification of their citizenship status.

Summary

SB00391 is a proposed act that seeks to amend Title 9 of the general statutes concerning the qualifications for candidates appearing on ballots for the offices of president and vice president in the state. The bill mandates that any individual wishing to run for these federal offices must provide an original birth certificate verifying that they are a natural-born United States citizen. The intention behind this legislation is to ensure that all presidential and vice-presidential candidates meet the constitutional requirement of being a natural-born citizen before they can be certified and placed on the election ballot in the state.

Contention

The introduction of SB00391 may elicit a range of responses from different stakeholders. Proponents might argue that such a requirement is essential for upholding the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring that all candidates adhere to the constitutional eligibility criteria. However, opponents may contend that it could lead to unnecessary barriers for candidates, fostering discrimination against certain groups, or leading to legal challenges regarding the interpretation of the term 'natural-born citizen'. The bill's implementation raises questions about the accessibility and privacy of personal documents and the potential for creating complications in the election administration process.