Connecticut House Bill HB05531

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/17
• Refer: 1/12/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Vacancies In The Office Of The Registrar Of Voters.

Impact

The proposed legislation seeks to provide greater clarity and structure regarding the succession process for registrars of voters, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. By defining the appointment procedure more clearly, HB 5531 aims to avoid potential gaps in leadership that could arise when a registrar position becomes vacant. This could have significant implications for local election management, especially in ensuring that voter registrations are handled smoothly and efficiently.

Summary

House Bill 5531, introduced by Representative Devlin, addresses the process for filling vacancies in the office of the registrar of voters due to death, removal, or resignation. The key amendment proposed in this bill is to alter the existing law under section 9-192 of the general statutes to specify that a deputy registrar does not automatically assume the role of the registrar in such cases. Instead, the bill mandates that the town committee of the same political party as the outgoing registrar must appoint a successor within fourteen days of the vacancy occurring. This measure aims to ensure a prompt and organized transition in voter registration leadership.

Contention

While the bill aims to clarify the succession process, it may also raise points of contention regarding the role of political parties in local governance. Some may argue that requiring a party committee to make the appointment could politicize what should be a nonpartisan role focused on facilitating elections. Critics might express concern over whether this process ensures the best candidate is chosen, or whether it merely perpetuates party loyalty over competency in managing voter registrations.