Connecticut House Bill HB05955

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/17
• Refer: 1/19/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Certain Registrars Of Voters And Deputy Registrars Of Voters.

Impact

If passed, HB 05955 would amend Title 9 of the general statutes, specifically emphasizing the need for registrars and deputy registrars to relinquish access to office space and municipal registry and enrollment lists while campaigning for other offices. This change would affect the administrative procedures within municipal election offices and clarify the boundaries of responsibilities and access pertaining to voter data, thus reinforcing the idea that voter information should be equally accessible to all candidates.

Summary

House Bill 05955, introduced by Representative Devlin, addresses the access rights of registrars of voters and deputy registrars who seek election or nomination for offices other than that of registrar of voters. The intent behind the bill is to mitigate potential conflicts of interest by ensuring that individuals running for other offices do not maintain greater access to sensitive voter data than their competitors. This measure aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process by providing a level playing field for all candidates.

Contention

The potential contention surrounding HB 05955 lies in the implications of restricting access to voter data. Supporters may argue that the bill is a necessary step for transparency in elections, reducing the risk of incumbents using privileged information to their advantage. However, critics might raise concerns that such restrictions could complicate the work of registrars and impact their ability to perform their duties effectively, especially in municipalities where these officials might be running for office. The balance between transparency and functionality in the electoral process will likely be a point of debate among legislators.