Connecticut Senate Bill SB00504

Connecticut 2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/13/18
• Refer: 3/13/18

Caption

An Act Requiring Joint Campaigning By Candidates For Governor And Lieutenant Governor.

Impact

The enactment of SB00504 significantly alters the landscape of state election laws by creating a requirement for collaboration between the Governor and Lieutenant Governor candidates. This legislative change aims to bolster the accountability of candidates by promoting a more unified ticket approach, aligning their campaign messages and reducing the potential for intra-party conflict during elections. Additionally, the joint committee funds could lead to streamlined campaign expenditures and strategies, allowing for more effective use of financial resources.

Summary

SB00504, titled 'An Act Requiring Joint Campaigning By Candidates For Governor And Lieutenant Governor', mandates that candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor must campaign as a single ticket. This bill requires that both candidates be jointly nominated and appear on the primary ballot as they do on the general election ballot. Furthermore, it prescribes that these candidates must raise and expend funds from a shared candidate committee, thus ensuring a coherent and unified campaign strategy.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding the bill. Supporters argue that it will help voters identify the candidates' collaborative efforts better and create a more integrated approach to governance. Conversely, critics express concern that enforcing such joint campaigns could dissuade individual candidates from forming their distinct platforms, potentially stifling diversity in political representation. This shared funding approach may also disproportionately benefit well-established political entities over up-and-coming candidates or independent parties, raising concerns about equity in political campaigning.