Connecticut House Bill HB05096

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/17
• Refer: 1/4/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Signed Statements Of Electors Prior To Voting.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05096 would amend section 9-261 of the general statutes, directly impacting the laws surrounding voter identification and the procedures at polling places. The audit requirement for signed statements aims to provide an additional layer of security and verification for electors who may lack the necessary identification. This could potentially lead to changes in how elections are conducted, enforcing stricter adherence to identification processes and possibly affecting voter turnout and access at polling stations.

Summary

House Bill 05096, titled 'An Act Concerning Signed Statements Of Electors Prior To Voting,' aims to enhance the voting process by requiring the Secretary of the State to establish and implement procedures for auditing statements that electors sign when they do not present the required forms of identification at polling places. The bill is set to improve the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that alternative forms of identification, in the absence of standard ID, are thoroughly verified. This legislative initiative reflects an ongoing concern regarding voter identification and election security in the state.

Contention

The bill could face contention from various groups advocating for easier access to voting, who may view the additional auditing as a hurdle rather than a safeguard. Critics may argue that such measures could disenfranchise voters, particularly among demographics less likely to possess traditional forms of identification. Furthermore, debates may arise regarding the balance between security and accessibility in the electoral system, as well as concerns about the administrative burden these new auditing processes could place on election officials.