Connecticut Senate Bill SB00617

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/15
• Refer: 1/23/15

Caption

An Act Authorizing The Recall Of Registrars Of Voters.

Impact

If enacted, SB00617 would significantly impact the electoral operations within municipalities by instituting a formal process for recalling registrars of voters. This change would empower party members to challenge and potentially remove registrars who are perceived as ineffective or failing to perform their duties adequately. Proponents of the bill argue that such accountability measures are vital for ensuring integrity and responsiveness within the electoral system, particularly given the important role that registrars play in facilitating fair elections.

Summary

SB00617 is a proposed bill aimed at enabling the recall of registrars of voters in municipalities across the state. Introduced by Senator McLachlan, the bill seeks to amend general statutes to allow special elections to be initiated for the recall of an elected registrar of voters. This provision would require the collection of signatures from at least five percent of the electors enrolled in the same political party as the registrar to initiate the recall process. The intent behind this legislation is to establish a mechanism for holding registrars accountable and to address concerns about their effectiveness in managing voter registration and related electoral processes.

Contention

The introduction of the recall provision may elicit concerns about potential political manipulation and instability within the electoral framework. Critics of the bill could argue that the recall process might be abused for partisan purposes, leading to unnecessary disruptions in the administration of elections. Furthermore, there may be apprehensions regarding the criteria for defining 'ineffective' performance, as such determinations could be subjective and vary significantly among different political factions.