LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005-R02- SB.docx 1 of 69 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5 January Session, 2021 AN ACT CONCERNING IN CREASED OPPORTUNITIE S FOR ABSENTEE VOTING, SAF E AND SECURE IN-PERSON VOTING, VOTER REGISTRATION A ND CERTAIN OTHER CHA NGES REGARDING ELECTION A DMINISTRATION. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 9-19h of the general statutes is 1 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 2 passage): 3 (b) (1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, 4 and except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the 5 Commissioner of Motor Vehicles [, not later than January 1, 1994,] shall 6 include an application for the admission of an elector with each 7 application form provided for a motor vehicle operator's license and a 8 motor vehicle operator's license renewal, which are issued under 9 subpart (B) of part III of chapter 246, and with each application form 10 provided for an identity card issued under section 1-1h. Such 11 application form for the admission of an elector [(1)] (A) shall be subject 12 to the approval of the Secretary of the State, [(2)] (B) shall not include 13 any provisions for the witnessing of the application, and [(3)] (C) shall 14 contain a statement that [(A)] (i) specifies each eligibility requirement, 15 [(B)] (ii) contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such 16 requirement, and [(C)] (iii) requires the signature of the applicant under 17 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 2 of 69 penalty of perjury. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept 18 any such completed application for admission which is submitted in 19 person, [or] by mail [. The] or through an electronic system pursuant to 20 subdivision (2) of this subsection. Except as provided in said 21 subdivision, the applicant shall state on such form, under penalty of 22 perjury, the applicant's name, bona fide residence address, date of birth, 23 whether the applicant is a United States citizen, party enrollment, if any, 24 prior voting address, if registered previously, and that the applicant's 25 privileges as an elector are not forfeited by reason of conviction of a 26 felony. No Social Security number on any such application form for the 27 admission of an elector filed prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed 28 to the public or to any governmental agency. The commissioner shall 29 indicate on each such form the date of receipt of such application to 30 ensure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election if it 31 is received by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles by the last day for 32 registration to vote in an election. The commissioner shall provide the 33 applicant with an application receipt, on a form approved by the 34 Secretary of the State and on which the commissioner shall record the 35 date that the commissioner received the application, using an official 36 date stamp bearing the words "Department of Motor Vehicles". The 37 commissioner shall provide such receipt whether the application was 38 submitted in person, [or] by mail or through an electronic system 39 pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. The commissioner shall 40 forthwith transmit the application to the registrars of voters of the 41 applicant's town of residence. If a registration application is accepted 42 within five days before the last day for registration to vote in a regular 43 election, the application shall be transmitted to the registrars of voters 44 of the town of voting residence of the applicant not later than five days 45 after the date of acceptance. The procedures in subsections (c), (d), (f) 46 and (g) of section 9-23g which are not inconsistent with the National 47 Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to 48 time, shall apply to applications made under this section. The 49 commissioner is not an admitting official and may not restore, under the 50 provisions of section 9-46a, as amended by this act, electoral privileges 51 of persons convicted of a felony. 52 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 3 of 69 (2) (A) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall provide an 53 electronic system, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the State, to 54 effectuate the purposes of subdivision (1) of this subsection regarding 55 application for admission of an elector, except that the condition that an 56 applicant state and attest to meeting each eligibility requirement may be 57 waived for any such eligibility requirement verified independently by 58 said commissioner through a federally approved identity verification 59 program or other evidence acceptable to said commissioner. Such 60 electronic system may provide for the transmittal to the Secretary of an 61 applicant's signature on file with said commissioner. The use of any 62 such electronic system shall comply with the National Voter 63 Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time. 64 (B) (i) Unless otherwise provided in this subparagraph, if the 65 Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that a person applying for 66 a motor vehicle operator's license, a motor vehicle operator's license 67 renewal or an identity card meets each eligibility requirement for 68 admission as an elector, said commissioner shall forthwith transmit an 69 application for such person's admission as an elector to the registrars of 70 voters of the town of residence of such person through an electronic 71 system pursuant to this subdivision, in accordance with the provisions 72 of subdivision (1) of this subsection, except that no such application 73 shall be transmitted if such person declines to apply for such admission. 74 (ii) If said commissioner determines that a person applying for a 75 motor vehicle operator's license, a motor vehicle operator's license 76 renewal or an identity card is not a United States citizen, said 77 commissioner shall not provide such person an opportunity to apply for 78 admission as an elector through an electronic system pursuant to this 79 subdivision and shall not transmit any application for such admission 80 on behalf of such person. 81 (iii) If said commissioner cannot determine whether a person 82 applying for a motor vehicle operator's license, a motor vehicle 83 operator's license renewal or an identity card is a United States citizen, 84 such person shall attest to his or her United States citizenship as a 85 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 4 of 69 precondition of said commissioner processing such person's application 86 for admission as an elector through an electronic system pursuant to this 87 subdivision. 88 (C) In the case of an individual already admitted as an elector and 89 who is also enrolled in a party, if use of such electronic system results in 90 such elector being removed from the enrollment list of such party 91 because such elector did not affirmatively confirm an intent to continue 92 enrollment in such party, such removal shall be presumed unintentional 93 and such elector shall be restored to such list upon such elector's 94 notification of such removal to the registrar of voters of the town of 95 residence of such elector. 96 Sec. 2. Section 9-19i of the general statutes is repealed and the 97 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 98 (a) Any change of address form submitted by a person in accordance 99 with law for purposes of a motor vehicle operator's license shall serve 100 as notification of change of address for voter registration for the person 101 unless the person states on the form that the change of address is not for 102 voter registration purposes. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall 103 forthwith transmit such change of address information to the registrars 104 of voters of the town of the former address of the person. If the name of 105 the person appears on the registry list of the town, and if the new 106 address is also within such town, the registrars shall enter the name of 107 such elector on the registry list at the place where he then resides. If the 108 name of the person appears on the registry list of the town and if the 109 new address is outside such town, the registrars shall remove the name 110 of such elector from the registry list and send the elector the notice, 111 information and application required by subsection (c) of section 9-35, 112 except that if said commissioner is using an electronic system pursuant 113 to subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of the State may prescribe 114 alternative procedures for sending such notice and information and 115 may waive the requirement to send such application. 116 (b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall provide an electronic 117 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 5 of 69 system, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the State, to effectuate 118 the purposes of subsection (a) of this section regarding notifications of 119 change of address for voter registration. Such electronic system may 120 provide for the transmittal to the Secretary of an applicant's signature 121 on file with said commissioner. The use of any such electronic system 122 shall comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-123 31, as amended from time to time. 124 Sec. 3. Section 9-23n of the general statutes is repealed and the 125 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2022): 126 (a) As used in this section, "voter registration agency" means (1) 127 public assistance offices, (2) all offices in the state that provide 128 state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to 129 persons with disabilities, (3) libraries that are open to the public, and (4) 130 such other appropriate offices as the Secretary of the State shall 131 designate in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 132 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time. 133 (b) [Voter registration agencies shall] (1) Except as provided in 134 subdivision (2) of this subsection, each voter registration agency shall 135 (A) distribute mail voter registration application forms, [(2)] (B) assist 136 applicants for [such] assistance or services provided by the agency in 137 completing voter registration application forms, except for applicants 138 who refuse [such] assistance in completing such forms, [(3)] (C) accept 139 completed voter registration application forms and provide each 140 applicant with an application receipt, on which the agency shall record 141 the date that the agency received the application, using an official date 142 stamp bearing the name of the agency, and [(4)] (D) immediately 143 transmit all such applications to the registrars of voters of the town of 144 voting residence of the applicants. The agency shall provide such receipt 145 whether the application was submitted in person, [or] by mail or 146 through an electronic system pursuant to subdivision (2) of this 147 subsection. If a registration application is accepted within five days 148 before the last day for registration to vote in a regular election, the 149 application shall be transmitted to the registrars of voters of the town of 150 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 6 of 69 voting residence of the applicant not later than five days after the date 151 of acceptance. [The] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this 152 subsection, the voter registration agency shall indicate on the completed 153 mail voter registration application form, without indicating the identity 154 of the voter registration agency, the date of its acceptance by such 155 agency, to ensure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote in an 156 election if it is received by the registration agency by the last day for 157 registration to vote in an election. If a state-funded program primarily 158 engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities provides 159 services to a person with a disability at the person's home, the agency 160 shall provide such voter registration services at the person's home. The 161 procedures in subsections (c), (d), (f) and (g) of section 9-23g that are not 162 inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 163 103-31, as amended from time to time, shall apply to applications made 164 under this section. Officials and employees of such voter registration 165 agencies are not admitting officials, as defined in section 9-17a, and may 166 not restore, under the provisions of section 9-46a, electoral privileges of 167 persons convicted of a felony. 168 (2) (A) Each voter registration agency shall provide an electronic 169 system, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the State, to effectuate 170 the purposes of subdivision (1) of this subsection regarding application 171 for admission of an elector, except that the condition that an applicant 172 state and attest to meeting each eligibility requirement may be waived 173 for any such eligibility requirement verified independently by the 174 agency through a federally approved identity verification program or 175 other evidence acceptable to the agency. Such electronic system may 176 provide for the transmittal to the Secretary of an applicant's signature 177 on file with the voter registration agency. The use of any such electronic 178 system shall comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 179 P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time. 180 (B) (i) Unless otherwise provided in this subparagraph, if the voter 181 registration agency determines that a person applying for assistance or 182 services provided by the agency meets each eligibility requirement for 183 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 7 of 69 admission as an elector, the agency shall forthwith transmit an 184 application for such person's admission as an elector to the registrars of 185 voters of the town of residence of such person through an electronic 186 system pursuant to this subdivision, in accordance with the provisions 187 of subdivision (1) of this subsection, except that no such application 188 shall be transmitted if such person declines to apply for such admission. 189 (ii) If the voter registration agency determines that a person applying 190 for assistance or services provided by the agency is not a United States 191 citizen, the agency shall not provide such person an opportunity to 192 apply for admission as an elector through an electronic system pursuant 193 to this subdivision and shall not transmit any application for such 194 admission on behalf of such person. 195 (iii) If the voter registration agency cannot determine whether a 196 person applying for assistance or services provided by the agency is a 197 United States citizen, such person shall attest to his or her United States 198 citizenship as a precondition of the agency processing such person's 199 application for admission as an elector through an electronic system 200 pursuant to this subdivision. 201 (C) In the case of an individual already admitted as an elector and 202 who is also enrolled in a party, if use of such electronic system results in 203 such elector being removed from the enrollment list of such party 204 because such elector did not affirmatively confirm an intent to continue 205 enrollment in such party, such removal shall be presumed unintentional 206 and such elector shall be restored to such list upon such elector's 207 notification of such removal to the registrar of voters of the town of 208 residence of such elector. 209 Sec. 4. Section 9-23o of the general statutes is repealed and the 210 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2022): 211 A voter registration agency, as defined in section 9-23n, as amended 212 by this act, shall comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 213 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, and (1) shall distribute 214 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 8 of 69 with each application for [service or] assistance or services provided by 215 the agency, and with each recertification, renewal or change of address 216 form relating to such [service or] assistance or services, a mail voter 217 registration application form approved by the Secretary of the State, and 218 (2) during each application for such assistance or services and each 219 recertification, renewal or change of address relating to such assistance 220 or services, shall use an electronic system described in subdivision (2) of 221 subsection (b) of section 9-23n, as amended by this act, in accordance 222 with said subdivision to effectuate the purposes of subdivision (1) of 223 said subsection regarding application for admission of an elector, unless 224 the applicant declines to register to vote pursuant to the provisions of 225 the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended 226 from time to time. Such declination shall be in writing, except in the case 227 of an application for service or assistance provided by a library, or a 228 recertification, renewal or change of address form relating to such 229 library service or assistance. Such voter registration agency shall 230 provide each applicant to register to vote the same degree of assistance 231 with regard to the completion of the registration application form as is 232 provided by the agency with regard to the completion of its own forms, 233 unless the applicant refuses such assistance. 234 Sec. 5. Section 9-23p of the general statutes is repealed and the 235 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2022): 236 Each public institution of higher education shall (1) distribute mail 237 voter registration application forms, and [(2)] assist applicants who 238 request assistance in completing such voter registration application 239 forms, and (2) use an electronic system described in subdivision (2) of 240 subsection (b) of section 9-23n, as amended by this act, in accordance 241 with said subdivision to effectuate the purposes of subdivision (1) of 242 said subsection regarding application for admission of an elector, and 243 assist applicants who request assistance in so applying through such 244 electronic system. 245 Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The Secretary of the State 246 shall develop and implement a system or systems through which the 247 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 9 of 69 Secretary may permit any person to submit an electronic signature for 248 the purpose of signing any form or application to be filed pursuant to 249 chapters 141 to 154, inclusive, of the general statutes. The Secretary may 250 include in, or exclude from, such system any such form or application. 251 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any such form or 252 application on which any such electronic signature appears shall be 253 deemed to have been signed in the original. 254 (b) A state agency, upon the request of the Secretary of the State, shall 255 provide any information to the Secretary that the Secretary deems 256 necessary to maintain the system or systems described in subsection (a) 257 of this section. The Secretary shall not use the information obtained from 258 any state agency except for the purpose of allowing any person to sign 259 any form or application to be filed pursuant to chapters 141 to 154, 260 inclusive, of the general statutes. 261 Sec. 7. Subsection (c) of section 9-17 of the general statutes is repealed 262 and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 263 (c) In addition to the sessions held pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) 264 of this section, the registrars of voters in each town shall: [hold] 265 (1) Hold one session each year, between the first of January and the 266 last day of the school year, at each public high school in such town, for 267 the admission of persons who are eligible for admission under 268 subsection (a) or (b) of section 9-12, as amended by this act, provided, in 269 the case of a public high school in a regional school district, such session 270 shall be held on a rotating basis by the registrars of voters for each town 271 which is a member of the regional school district. The registrars of voters 272 need not give notice of this session by publication in a newspaper; and 273 (2) Distribute each year, on the fourth Tuesday of September, at each 274 public high school in such town, information regarding eligibility for 275 admission under subsection (a) or (b) of section 9-12, as amended by this 276 act, and procedures for applying for such admission. The registrars of 277 voters and the principal of any such public high school shall determine 278 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 10 of 69 the best means of distributing such information at such public high 279 school. 280 Sec. 8. Section 1-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the following 281 is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 282 In each year the first day of January (known as New Year's Day), the 283 fifteenth day of January of each year prior to 1986, and commencing on 284 the twentieth day of January in 1986, the first Monday occurring on or 285 after January fifteenth (known as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), [the 286 twelfth day of February (known as Lincoln Day),] the third Monday in 287 February (known as [Washington's Birthday] Presidents' Day), the last 288 Monday in May (known as Memorial Day or Decoration Day), the 289 fourth day of July (known as Independence Day), the first Monday in 290 September (known as Labor Day), the second Monday in October 291 (known as Columbus Day), the Tuesday after the first Monday in 292 November (known as Election Day), the eleventh day of November 293 (known as Veterans' Day) and the twenty-fifth day of December (known 294 as Christmas) and any day appointed or recommended by the Governor 295 of this state or the President of the United States as a day of 296 thanksgiving, fasting or religious observance, shall each be a legal 297 holiday, except that whenever any of such days which are not 298 designated to occur on Monday, occurs upon a Sunday, the Monday 299 next following such day shall be a legal holiday and whenever any of 300 such days occurs upon a Saturday, the Friday immediately preceding 301 such day shall be a legal holiday. When any such holiday, except 302 holidays in January and December, occurs on a school day, each local 303 and regional board of education may close the public schools under its 304 jurisdiction for such day or hold a session of the public schools on such 305 day, provided, if a session is held, the board shall require each school to 306 hold a suitable nonsectarian educational program in observance of such 307 holiday. If a holiday in January or December occurs on a school day, 308 there shall be no session of the public schools on such day. 309 Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Each employer shall grant to (1) 310 each employee in the case of a state election, or (2) each employee who 311 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 11 of 69 is an elector in the case of any special election for United States senator, 312 representative in Congress, state senator or state representative, two 313 hours paid time off from such employee's regularly scheduled work on 314 the day of any such election, for the purpose of voting at such election 315 during the hours of voting specified in section 9-174 of the general 316 statutes, if the employee requests such time off not less than two 317 working days prior to such election. 318 Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 9-12 of the general statutes is 319 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 320 passage): 321 (a) Each citizen of the United States who has attained the age of 322 eighteen years, and who is a bona fide resident of the town to which the 323 citizen applies for admission as an elector shall, on approval by the 324 registrars of voters or town clerk of the town of residence of such citizen, 325 as prescribed by law, be an elector, except as provided in subsection (b) 326 of this section. For purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to 327 have attained the age of eighteen years on the day of the person's 328 eighteenth birthday and a person shall be deemed to be a bona fide 329 resident of the town to which the citizen applies for admission as an 330 elector if such person's dwelling unit is located within the geographic 331 boundaries of such town. [No mentally incompetent person shall be 332 admitted as an elector.] 333 Sec. 11. Section 9-20 of the general statutes is repealed and the 334 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 335 (a) (1) Each person who applies for admission as an elector in person 336 to an admitting official shall, upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of 337 the State and signed by the applicant, state under penalties of perjury, 338 his name, bona fide residence by street and number, date of birth, 339 whether he is a United States citizen, whether his privileges as an elector 340 are forfeited by reason of conviction of crime, and whether he has 341 previously been admitted as an elector in any town in this or any other 342 state. Each such applicant shall present his birth certificate, drivers' 343 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 12 of 69 license or Social Security card to the admitting official for inspection at 344 the time of application. Notwithstanding the provisions of any special 345 act or charter to the contrary, the application form shall also, in a manner 346 prescribed by the Secretary of the State, provide for application for 347 enrollment in any political party, including, on any such form printed 348 on or after January 1, 2006, a list of the names of the major parties, as 349 defined in section 9-372, as options for the applicant. The form shall 350 indicate that such enrollment is not mandatory. 351 (2) A person with a developmental disability, as determined by a 352 licensed physician who specializes in primary care, who applies for 353 admission as an elector in person to an admitting official may be assisted 354 in satisfying the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection by 355 such person's legal representative. At the time of application, such 356 applicant or such legal representative shall present to the admitting 357 official documentation from such licensed physician of such 358 determination. As used in this section, "legal representative" has the 359 same meaning as provided in section 17a-488. 360 (b) The applicant's statement shall be delivered to the registrars 361 immediately and shall be kept by the registrars as a public record in a 362 safe depository, except that no Social Security number obtained by the 363 registrars prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed to the public or to 364 any governmental agency. Any such statement of an elector whose 365 name has been removed from the registry list for a period of at least five 366 years may be placed on microfilm, destroyed or otherwise disposed of 367 by such registrars, in the manner provided in section 7-109. Upon the 368 request of any elector, or if the applicant does not present a birth 369 certificate, drivers' license or Social Security card as required by 370 subsection (a) of this section, at the time an application is made in person 371 to an admitting official or prior to the approval of such an application, 372 any admitting official shall require the applicant to prove his identity, 373 place of birth, age and bona fide residence by the testimony under oath 374 of at least one elector or by the presentation of proof satisfactory to such 375 admitting official. Each person found qualified shall thereupon be 376 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 13 of 69 admitted as an elector, except as provided in sections 9-12, 9-19e, 9-19g 377 and 9-30. The registrars may request an elector whose date of birth is 378 missing from their records to voluntarily furnish his date of birth. Any 379 admitting official may administer oaths in any matter coming before 380 him under section 9-12, 9-17, 9-19b, subsection (a) of section 9-19c, 381 section 9-19e, 9-19g, 9-23, 9-23a, 9-25, 9-31a, 9-31b, 9-31l, 9-40a or this 382 section. Said admitting official shall prohibit any activity which 383 interferes with the orderly process of admission of electors. 384 (c) The application for admission as an elector shall include a 385 statement that (1) specifies each eligibility requirement, (2) contains an 386 attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement, and (3) 387 requires the signature of the applicant, or of such applicant's legal 388 representative in the case of an applicant with a developmental 389 disability, under penalty of perjury. Each registrar of voters and town 390 clerk shall maintain a copy of such statement in braille, large print and 391 audio form. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall 392 produce a videotape presenting such statement in voice and sign 393 language and provide the videotape to the Secretary of the State who 394 shall make copies of the videotape and provide a copy to the registrars 395 of voters of any municipality, upon request and at a cost equal to the 396 cost of making the copy. If a person applies for admission as an elector 397 in person to an admitting official, such admitting official shall, upon the 398 request of the applicant, administer the elector's oath. 399 Sec. 12. Section 9-261 of the general statutes is repealed and the 400 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 401 (a) In each primary, election or referendum, when an elector has 402 entered the polling place, the elector shall announce the elector's street 403 address, if any, and the elector's name to the official checker or checkers 404 in a tone sufficiently loud and clear as to enable all the election officials 405 present to hear the same. Each elector who registered to vote by mail for 406 the first time on or after January 1, 2003, and has a "mark" next to the 407 elector's name on the official registry list, as required by section 9-23r, 408 shall present to the official checker or checkers, before the elector votes, 409 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 14 of 69 either a current and valid photo identification that shows the elector's 410 name and address or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, 411 government check, paycheck or other government document that shows 412 the name and address of the elector. Each other elector shall (1) present 413 to the official checker or checkers the elector's Social Security card or any 414 other preprinted form of identification which shows the elector's name 415 and either the elector's address, signature or photograph, or (2) on a 416 form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, write the elector's 417 residential address and date of birth, print the elector's name and sign a 418 statement under penalty of false statement that the elector is the elector 419 whose name appears on the official checklist. Such form shall clearly 420 state the penalty of false statement. A separate form shall be used for 421 each elector. If the elector presents a preprinted form of identification 422 under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the official checker or checkers 423 shall check the name of such elector on the official checklist, manually 424 on paper or electronically. If the elector completes the form under 425 subdivision (2) of this subsection, the registrar of voters or the assistant 426 registrar of voters, as the case may be, shall examine the information on 427 such form and either instruct the official checker or checkers to check 428 the name of such elector on the official checklist, manually on paper or 429 electronically, or notify the elector that the form is incomplete or 430 inaccurate. 431 (b) In the event that an elector is present at the polling place but is 432 unable to gain access to the polling place due to a temporary incapacity, 433 the elector may request that the ballot be brought to him or her. The 434 registrars of voters or the assistant registrars of voters, as the case may 435 be, shall take such ballot, along with a privacy sleeve to such elector. 436 The elector shall show identification, in accordance with the provisions 437 of this section. The elector shall forthwith mark the ballot in the presence 438 of the election officials in such manner that the election officials shall not 439 know how the ballot is marked. The elector shall place the ballot in the 440 privacy sleeve. The election officials shall mark the elector's name on the 441 official voter list, manually on paper or electronically, as having voted 442 in person and deliver such ballot and privacy sleeve to the voting 443 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 15 of 69 tabulator where such ballot shall be placed into the tabulator, by the 444 election official, for counting. The moderator shall record such activity 445 in the moderator's diary. 446 (c) In each polling place in which two or more parties are holding 447 primaries in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote, pursuant 448 to section 9-431, an unaffiliated elector shall also announce to the 449 separate table of the official checker or checkers for unaffiliated electors 450 the party in whose primary the elector chooses to vote and the official 451 checker or checkers shall note such party when checking such elector's 452 name on the checklist of unaffiliated electors, manually on paper or 453 electronically, provided such choice shall not alter the elector's 454 unaffiliated status. 455 (d) In each polling place in which two or more parties are holding 456 primaries in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote or in 457 which one party is holding a primary in which unaffiliated electors are 458 authorized to vote for some but not all offices to be contested at the 459 primary, the official checker or checkers shall give to each elector 460 checked manually on paper or electronically, a receipt provided by the 461 registrars of voters, in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, 462 specifying either (1) the party with which the elector is enrolled, if any, 463 or (2) in the case of an unaffiliated elector, the party in whose primary 464 the elector has so chosen to vote, and whether the elector is authorized 465 to vote for only a partial ballot. 466 (e) If not challenged by anyone lawfully present in the polling place, 467 the elector shall be permitted to pass to the separated area to receive the 468 ballot. The elector shall give any receipt the elector has received to a 469 ballot clerk who shall give the elector a ballot to vote only in the primary 470 of the party specified by the receipt. The elector shall be permitted into 471 the voting booth area, and shall then register his or her vote in secret, 472 except as provided in subsection (f) of this section. Having voted, the 473 elector shall immediately exit the voting booth area and deposit the 474 ballot in the voting tabulator and leave the room. No elector shall remain 475 within the voting booth longer than the time necessary to complete the 476 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 16 of 69 ballot, and, if the elector refuses to leave such booth after completing the 477 ballot, the elector shall at once be removed by the election officials upon 478 order of the moderator. Not more than one elector at a time shall be 479 permitted to be within the enclosed space which the elector occupies 480 while the elector completes his or her ballot, [provided] except that an 481 elector may be accompanied within such enclosed space by (1) one or 482 more children who are fifteen years of age or younger and supervised 483 by the elector, if the elector is the parent or legal guardian of such 484 children, or (2) such elector's legal representative in the case of an elector 485 with a developmental disability, as described in section 9-20, as 486 amended by this act, pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. If any 487 elector, after entering the voting booth area, asks for further instruction 488 concerning the manner of voting, the election officials shall give such 489 instructions or directions to the elector; but no election official 490 instructing or assisting an elector, except as provided in section 9-264, 491 shall look at the ballot in such a way as to see the elector's markings or 492 in any manner seek to influence any such elector in the casting of the 493 elector's vote. 494 (f) In the case of an elector with a developmental disability, as 495 described in section 9-20, as amended by this act, the legal 496 representative of such elector may assist such elector in performing any 497 action under this section if such legal representative presents to the 498 registrar of voters or assistant registrar of voters, as the case may be, 499 information sufficient to prove such a relationship with such elector. 500 Sec. 13. Section 9-19j of the general statutes is repealed and the 501 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 502 (a) As used in this subsection and subsections (b) to [(i)] (j), inclusive, 503 of this section, "election day" means the day on which a regular election, 504 as defined in section 9-1, is held. 505 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, a person who (1) 506 is (A) not an elector, or (B) an elector registered in a municipality who 507 wishes to change such elector's registration to another municipality 508 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 17 of 69 pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this 509 section, and (2) meets the eligibility requirements under subsection (a) 510 of section 9-12, as amended by this act, may apply for admission as an 511 elector on election day pursuant to the provisions of subsections (a) to 512 [(i)] (j), inclusive, of this section. 513 (c) (1) The registrars of voters shall designate a location for the 514 completion and processing of election day registration applications on 515 election day, provided (A) the registrars of voters shall have access to 516 the state-wide centralized voter registration system from such location, 517 and (B) such location shall be certified in writing to the Secretary of the 518 State not later than thirty-one days before election day. The written 519 certification under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall (i) include 520 the name, street address and relevant contact information associated 521 with such location, (ii) list the name and address of each election official 522 appointed to serve at such location, if any, and (iii) provide a description 523 of the design of such location and a plan for effective completion and 524 processing of such applications. The Secretary shall approve or 525 disapprove such written certification not later than fifteen days before 526 election day and may require the registrars of voters to appoint one or 527 more additional election officials or alter such design or plan. 528 (2) The registrars of voters may apply to the Secretary of the State not 529 later than sixty days before election day, in a form and manner 530 prescribed by the Secretary, to designate any additional location for the 531 completion and processing of election day registration applications on 532 election day. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove such 533 application not later than forty-five days before election day. If the 534 Secretary approves such application, the registrars of voters may so 535 designate any such additional location. The provisions of subdivision 536 (1) of this subsection shall apply to any such additional location. 537 (3) The registrars of voters may delegate to each election official 538 appointed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, if any, any of 539 the responsibilities assigned to the registrars of voters. The registrars of 540 voters shall supervise each such election official and train each such 541 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 18 of 69 election official to be an election day registration election official. 542 (d) Any person applying to register on election day under the 543 provisions of subsections (a) to [(i)] (j), inclusive, of this section shall 544 make application in accordance with the provisions of section 9-20, 545 provided (1) on election day, the applicant shall appear in person not 546 later than eight o'clock p.m., in accordance with subsection (b) of section 547 9-174, at the location designated by the registrars of voters for election 548 day registration, (2) an applicant who is a student enrolled at an 549 institution of higher education may submit a current photo 550 identification card issued by such institution in lieu of the identification 551 required by section 9-20, and (3) the applicant shall declare under oath 552 that the applicant has not previously voted in the election. If the 553 information that the applicant is required to provide under section 9-20 554 and subsections (a) to [(i)] (j), inclusive, of this section does not include 555 proof of the applicant's residential address, the applicant shall also 556 submit identification that shows the applicant's bona fide residence 557 address, including, but not limited to, a learner's permit issued under 558 section 14-36 or a utility bill that has the applicant's name and current 559 address and that has a due date that is not later than thirty days after 560 the election or, in the case of a student enrolled at an institution of higher 561 education, a registration or fee statement from such institution that has 562 the applicant's name and current address. 563 (e) If the registrars of voters determine that an applicant satisfies the 564 application requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this section, the 565 registrars of voters shall check the state-wide centralized voter 566 registration system before admitting such applicant as an elector. 567 (1) If the registrars of voters determine that the applicant is not 568 already an elector, the registrars of voters shall admit the applicant as 569 an elector and the privileges of an elector shall attach immediately. 570 (2) If the registrars of voters determine that such applicant is an 571 elector in another municipality and such applicant states that he or she 572 wants to change the municipality in which the applicant is an elector, 573 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 19 of 69 notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-21, the registrars of voters 574 of the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register shall 575 immediately notify the registrars of voters in such other municipality 576 that such elector is changing the municipality in which the applicant is 577 an elector. The registrars of voters in such other municipality shall notify 578 the election officials in such municipality to remove such elector from 579 the official voter list of such municipality. Such election officials shall 580 cross through the elector's name on such official voter list and mark "off" 581 next to such elector's name on such official voter list. 582 (A) If it is reported that such applicant already voted in such other 583 municipality, the registrars of voters of such other municipality shall 584 immediately notify the registrars of voters of the municipality in which 585 such elector now seeks to register. In such event, such elector shall not 586 receive an election day registration ballot from the registrars of voters 587 of the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register. For any 588 such elector, the election day registration process shall cease in the 589 municipality in which such elector now seeks to register and such 590 matter shall be reviewed by the registrars of voters in the municipality 591 in which such elector now seeks to register. After completion of such 592 review, if a resolution of the matter [can not] cannot be made, such 593 matter shall be reported to the State Elections Enforcement Commission 594 which shall conduct an investigation of the matter. 595 (B) If there is no such report that such applicant already voted in the 596 other municipality, the registrars of voters of the municipality in which 597 the applicant seeks to register shall admit the applicant as an elector and 598 the privileges of an elector shall attach immediately. 599 (f) If the applicant is admitted as an elector, the registrars of voters 600 shall provide the elector with an election day registration ballot and 601 election day registration envelope and shall make a record of such 602 issuance. The elector shall complete an affirmation imprinted upon the 603 back of the envelope for an election day registration ballot and shall 604 declare under oath that the applicant has not previously voted in the 605 election. The affirmation shall be in the form substantially as follows and 606 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 20 of 69 signed by the voter: 607 AFFIRMATION: I, the undersigned, do hereby state, under penalty 608 of false statement, (perjury) that: 609 1. I am the person admitted here as an elector in the town indicated. 610 2. I am eligible to vote in the election indicated for today in the town 611 indicated. 612 3. The information on my voter registration card is correct and 613 complete. 614 4. I reside at the address that I have given to the registrars of voters. 615 5. If previously registered at another location, I have provided such 616 address to the registrars of voters and hereby request cancellation of 617 such prior registration. 618 6. I have not voted in person or by absentee ballot and I will not vote 619 otherwise than by this ballot at this election. 620 7. I completed an application for an election day registration ballot 621 and received an election day registration ballot. 622 .... (Signature of voter) 623 (g) The elector shall forthwith mark the election day registration 624 ballot in the presence of the registrars of voters in such a manner that 625 the registrars of voters shall not know how the election day registration 626 ballot is marked. The elector shall place the election day registration 627 ballot in the election day registration ballot envelope provided, and 628 deposit such envelope in a secured election day registration ballot 629 depository receptacle. At the time designated by the registrars of voters 630 and noticed to election officials, the registrars of voters shall transport 631 such receptacle containing the election day registration ballots to the 632 central location or polling place, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-633 147a, as amended by this act, where absentee ballots are counted and 634 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 21 of 69 such election day registration ballots shall be counted by the election 635 officials present at such central location or polling place. A section of the 636 head moderator's return shall show the number of election day 637 registration ballots received from electors. The registrars of voters shall 638 seal a copy of the vote tally for election day registration ballots in a 639 depository envelope with the election day registration ballots and store 640 such election day registration depository envelope with the other 641 election results materials. The election day registration depository 642 envelope shall be preserved by the registrars of voters for the period of 643 time required to preserve counted ballots for elections. 644 (h) The provisions of the general statutes and regulations concerning 645 procedures relating to the custody, control and counting of absentee 646 ballots shall apply as nearly as possible, to the custody, control and 647 counting of election day registration ballots under subsections (a) to [(i)] 648 (j), inclusive, of this section. 649 (i) After the acceptance of an election day registration, the registrars 650 of voters shall forthwith send a registration confirmation notice to the 651 residential address of each applicant who is admitted as an elector on 652 election day under subsections (a) to [(i)] (j), inclusive, of this section. 653 Such confirmation shall be sent by first class mail with instructions on 654 the envelope that it be returned if not deliverable at the address shown 655 on the envelope. If a confirmation notice is returned undelivered, the 656 registrars shall forthwith take the necessary action in accordance with 657 section 9-35 or 9-43, as applicable, notwithstanding the May first 658 deadline in section 9-35. 659 (j) In the case of an elector with a developmental disability, as 660 described in section 9-12, as amended by this act, the legal 661 representative of such elector may assist such elector in performing any 662 action under this section if such legal representative presents to the 663 registrar of voters or an election official appointed by such registrar 664 under this section, as the case may be, information sufficient to prove 665 such a relationship with such elector. 666 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 22 of 69 [(j)] (k) No person shall (1) solicit [in] on behalf of or in opposition to 667 the candidacy of another or himself or herself or [in] on behalf of or in 668 opposition to any question being submitted at the election, or loiter or 669 peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another 670 person within a radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in 671 use as an entry to any location designated by the registrars of voters for 672 election day registration balloting or in any corridor, passageway or 673 other approach leading from any such outside entrance to any such 674 location or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway 675 or approach, or (2) possess a firearm within a radius of two hundred feet 676 of any such outside entrance or in any such corridor, passageway or 677 other approach or in any such room, except in the case of a firearm 678 located in a residence or parked motor vehicle situated within such 679 radius or in the case of a uniformed on-duty police officer. 680 Sec. 14. Section 9-45 of the general statutes is repealed and the 681 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 682 (a) The Commissioner of Correction shall, on or before the fifteenth 683 day of each month, transmit to the Secretary of the State a list of all 684 persons who, during the preceding calendar month, have been (1) 685 convicted in the Superior Court of a felony and committed to the 686 custody of the Commissioner of Correction for confinement in a 687 correctional institution or facility, or [a community residence] (2) 688 returned to confinement in a correctional institution or facility from 689 parole or special parole, release pursuant to section 18-100, 18-100c, 18-690 100e, 18-100h or 18-100i or furlough pursuant to section 18-101a. Such 691 lists shall include the names, birth dates and addresses of such persons, 692 with the dates of their conviction and the crimes of which such persons 693 have been convicted, or the dates of the violation of their parole, special 694 parole, release or furlough and the nature of such violation, as 695 applicable. The Secretary of the State shall transmit such lists to the 696 registrars of the towns in which such [convicted] persons who have been 697 convicted or returned to confinement, as applicable, resided at the time 698 of their conviction or violation of parole, special parole, release or 699 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 23 of 69 furlough and to the registrars of any towns where the [secretary] 700 Secretary believes such persons may be electors. The registrars of such 701 towns shall compare the same with the list of electors upon their registry 702 lists and, after written notice mailed by certified mail to each of the 703 persons named at the last-known place of address of such person, shall 704 erase such names from the registry lists in their respective towns or 705 voting districts. 706 (b) Any person who procures such person or another to be registered 707 after having been disfranchised by reason of conviction of crime and 708 committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for 709 confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community 710 residence, and any person who votes at any election after having 711 forfeited such privileges by reason of conviction of crime and 712 confinement, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars and 713 imprisoned not more than one year. 714 Sec. 15. Section 9-46 of the general statutes is repealed and the 715 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 716 (a) A person shall forfeit such person's right to become an elector and 717 such person's privileges as an elector upon conviction of a felony and 718 (1) committal to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for 719 confinement in a correctional institution or facility, [or] but not a 720 community residence, (2) committal to confinement in a federal 721 correctional institution or facility, or (3) committal to the custody of the 722 chief correctional official of any other state or a county of any other state 723 for confinement in a correctional institution or facility, [or] but not a 724 community residence, in such state or county. 725 (b) If a person has forfeited such person's privileges as an elector 726 under subsection (a) of this section, has regained such privileges under 727 section 9-46a, as amended by this act, and is subsequently returned to 728 confinement in a correctional institution or facility, but not a community 729 residence, from parole or special parole, release pursuant to section 18-730 100, 18-100c, 18-100e, 18-100h or 18-100i or furlough pursuant to section 731 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 24 of 69 18-101a, such person shall again forfeit such privileges. 732 [(b)] (c) No person who has forfeited and not regained such person's 733 privileges as an elector [,] as provided in section 9-46a, as amended by 734 this act, or who has regained such privileges and again forfeited such 735 privileges as provided in subsection (b) of this section, may be a 736 candidate for or hold public office. 737 Sec. 16. Section 9-46a of the general statutes is repealed and the 738 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 739 (a) (1) A person who has been convicted of a felony and committed 740 to confinement in a [federal or other state] correctional institution or 741 facility [or community residence] of the federal government or of 742 another state shall have such person's electoral privileges restored 743 [upon the payment of all fines in conjunction with the conviction and] 744 once such person has been [discharged] released from confinement. [, 745 and, if applicable, parole] 746 (2) A person who has been convicted of a felony and is committed to 747 confinement in a community residence of the federal government or of 748 another state shall have such person's electoral privileges restored if 749 such person had previously forfeited such electoral privileges. 750 (b) (1) Upon the release from confinement in a correctional institution 751 or facility [or a community residence] of a person who has been 752 convicted of a felony and committed to the custody of the Commissioner 753 of Correction, [and, if applicable, the discharge of such person from 754 parole, (1)] (A) the person shall have the right to become an elector, [(2)] 755 (B) the Commissioner of Correction shall give the person a document 756 certifying that the person has been released from such confinement, 757 [and, if applicable, has been discharged from parole, (3)] (C) if the 758 person was an elector at the time of such felony conviction and, after 759 such release, [and any such discharge,] is residing in the same 760 municipality in which the person resided at the time of such felony 761 conviction, the person's electoral privileges shall be restored, and [(4)] 762 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 25 of 69 (D) if the person was an elector at the time of such felony conviction and, 763 after such release, [and any such discharge,] is residing in a different 764 municipality or if the person was not an elector at the time of such felony 765 conviction, the person's electoral privileges shall be restored or granted 766 upon submitting to an admitting official satisfactory proof of the 767 person's qualifications to be admitted as an elector. The provisions of 768 [subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this subsection] subparagraphs (A) 769 to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision shall not apply to any person 770 convicted of a felony for a violation of any provision of this title until 771 such person has been discharged from any parole or probation for such 772 felony. 773 (2) A person who has been convicted of a felony and committed to 774 the custody of the Commissioner of Correction and is confined in a 775 community residence shall have such person's electoral privileges 776 restored if such person had previously forfeited such electoral 777 privileges. 778 (c) The registrars of voters of the municipality in which a person is 779 admitted as an elector pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, 780 within thirty days after the date on which such person is admitted, shall 781 notify the registrars of voters of the municipality wherein such person 782 resided at the time of such person's conviction that such person's 783 electoral rights have been so restored. 784 (d) The Commissioner of Correction shall establish procedures to 785 inform those persons who have been convicted of a felony and 786 committed to the custody of said commissioner for confinement in a 787 correctional institution or facility or a community residence, and are 788 eligible to have their electoral privileges restored or granted pursuant to 789 subsection (b) of this section, of the right and procedures to have such 790 privileges restored. [The Office of Adult Probation] The Commissioner 791 of Correction shall, within available appropriations, inform such 792 persons who are on [probation on January 1, 2002] parole or special 793 parole, or confined in a community residence, of their right to become 794 electors and procedures to have their electoral privileges restored, 795 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 26 of 69 which shall be in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section. 796 (e) The Commissioner of Correction shall, on or before the fifteenth 797 day of each month, transmit to the Secretary of the State a list of all 798 persons convicted of a felony and committed to the custody of said 799 commissioner who, during the preceding calendar month, have (1) been 800 released from confinement in a correctional institution or facility, or (2) 801 begun confinement in a community residence. [and, if applicable, 802 discharged from parole.] Such lists shall include the names, birth dates 803 and addresses of such persons, with the dates of their convictions and 804 the crimes of which such persons have been convicted. The Secretary [of 805 the State] shall transmit such lists to the registrars of the municipalities 806 in which such convicted persons resided at the time of their convictions 807 and to the registrars of any municipalities where the [secretary] 808 Secretary believes such persons may be electors. 809 Sec. 17. Section 9-236 of the general statutes is repealed and the 810 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 811 (a) On the day of any primary, referendum or election, no person 812 shall (1) solicit on behalf of or in opposition to the candidacy of another 813 or himself or on behalf of or in opposition to any question being 814 submitted at the election or referendum, or loiter or peddle or offer any 815 advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius 816 of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any 817 polling place or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading 818 from any such outside entrance to such polling place or in any room 819 opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach, or (2) 820 possess a firearm within a radius of two hundred feet of any such 821 outside entrance or in any such corridor, passageway or other approach 822 or in any such room, except in the case of a firearm located in a residence 823 or parked motor vehicle situated within such radius or in the case of a 824 uniformed on-duty police officer. Nothing contained in this section shall 825 be construed to prohibit [(1)] (A) parent-teacher associations or parent-826 teacher organizations from holding bake sales or other fund-raising 827 activities on the day of any primary, referendum or election in any 828 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 27 of 69 school used as a polling place, provided such sales or activities shall not 829 be held in the room in which the election booths are located, [(2)] (B) the 830 registrars of voters from directing the officials at a primary, referendum 831 or election to distribute, within the restricted area, adhesive labels on 832 which are imprinted the words "I Voted Today", or [(3)] (C) the 833 registrars of voters in a primary, election or referendum from jointly 834 permitting nonpartisan activities to be conducted in a room other than 835 the room in which the election booths are located. The registrars may 836 jointly impose such conditions and limitations on such nonpartisan 837 activity as deemed necessary to ensure the orderly process of voting. 838 The moderator shall evict any person who in any way interferes with 839 the orderly process of voting. 840 (b) (1) The selectmen shall provide suitable markers to indicate the 841 seventy-five-foot [distance] and two-hundred-foot distances from such 842 entrance. Such markers shall consist of a board resting on an iron rod, 843 which board shall be not less than twelve inches square and painted a 844 bright color and shall bear, [the] respectively: 845 (A) The figures and letters "75 feet" and the following words: "On the 846 day of any primary, referendum or election no person shall solicit [in] 847 on behalf of or in opposition to another or himself or peddle or offer any 848 ballot, advertising matter or circular to another person or loiter within a 849 radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to 850 any polling place or in any corridor, passageway or other approach 851 leading from any such outside entrance to such polling place or in any 852 room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach."; and 853 (B) The figures and letters "200 feet" and the following words: "On the 854 day of any primary, referendum or election no person shall possess a 855 firearm within a radius of two hundred feet of any outside entrance in 856 use as an entry to any polling place or in any corridor, passageway or 857 other approach leading from any such outside entrance to such polling 858 place or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or 859 approach. This restriction shall not apply in the case of a firearm located 860 in a residence or parked motor vehicle situated within such radius of 861 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 28 of 69 two hundred feet or in the case of a uniformed on-duty police officer." 862 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of 863 subdivision (1) of this subsection, the selectmen may provide the 864 markers required by the provisions of this subsection in effect prior to 865 October 1, 1983, in lieu of the markers required by said subparagraph, 866 except that in the case of a referendum which is not held in conjunction 867 with an election or a primary, the selectmen shall provide the markers 868 required by [subdivision (1) of this subsection] said subparagraph. 869 (3) The moderator and the moderator's assistants shall meet at least 870 twenty minutes before the opening of a primary, referendum or an 871 election in the voting district, and shall cause to be placed by a police 872 officer or constable, or such other primary or election official as they 873 select, a suitable number of distance markers. Such moderator or any 874 police officer or constable shall prohibit loitering and peddling of tickets 875 within that distance. 876 (c) No person shall be allowed within any polling place for any 877 purpose other than casting his or her vote, except (1) those permitted or 878 exempt under this section or section 9-236a, (2) primary officials under 879 section 9-436, (3) election officials under section 9-258, including (A) a 880 municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same 881 office, performing his or her official duties, and (B) a deputy registrar of 882 voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing 883 his or her official duties, or (4) party checkers under section 9-235. 884 Representatives of the news media shall be allowed to enter, remain 885 within and leave any polling place or restricted area surrounding any 886 polling place to observe the election, provided any such representative 887 who in any way interferes with the orderly process of voting shall be 888 evicted by the moderator. A number of students in grades four to 889 twelve, inclusive, not to exceed four at any one time in any one polling 890 place, may enter any polling place between twelve o'clock noon and 891 three o'clock p.m. for the purpose of observing the activities taking place 892 in the polling place, provided there is proper parental or teacher 893 supervision present, and provided further, any such student who in any 894 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 29 of 69 way interferes with the orderly process of voting shall be evicted by the 895 moderator. An elector may be accompanied into any polling place by 896 one or more children who are fifteen years of age or younger and 897 supervised by the elector if the elector is the parent or legal guardian of 898 such children. 899 (d) Any person who violates any provision of this section or, while 900 the polls are open for voting, removes or injures any such distance 901 marker, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. 902 Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 9-225 of the general statutes is 903 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 904 passage): 905 (a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the 906 town clerk or assistant town clerk of each town shall warn the electors 907 therein to meet on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November 908 in the even-numbered years, at six o'clock a.m., which warning shall be 909 given by publication (A) in a newspaper having a general circulation in 910 such town, or towns in the case of a joint publication under subsection 911 (b) of this section, not more than fifteen nor less than five days previous 912 to holding such election, and (B) on such town's Internet web site, not 913 more than fifteen nor less than five days previous to holding such 914 election. The clerk in each town shall, in the warning for such election, 915 give notice of (i) the time and the location of [the] each polling place in 916 the town, [and] (ii) in towns divided into voting districts, [of] the time 917 and the location of [the] each polling place in each district, and (iii) the 918 time and the location of each location designated for election day 919 registration in the town, at which such election will be held. The town 920 clerk shall record each such warning. 921 (2) For the state election in 2020, the warning under subsection (a) of 922 this section shall be given not more than seven nor less than four days 923 previous to holding such election. 924 Sec. 19. Section 9-226 of the general statutes is repealed and the 925 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 30 of 69 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 926 The warning of each municipal election shall specify the objects for 927 which such election is to be held. Notice of a town election shall be given 928 by the town clerk or assistant town clerk, by publishing a warning (1) in 929 a newspaper published in such town or having a general circulation 930 therein, such publication to be not more than fifteen [,] nor less than five 931 days previous to holding the election, and (2) on such town's Internet 932 web site, such publication to be not more than fifteen nor less than five 933 days previous to holding the election. The town clerk in each town shall, 934 in the warning for such election, give notice of (A) the time and the 935 location of [the] each polling place in the town, [and,] (B) in towns 936 divided into voting districts, [of] the time and the location of [the] each 937 polling place in each district, and (C) the time and the location of each 938 location designated for election day registration in the town. The town 939 clerk shall record each such warning. Notice of an election of a city or 940 borough shall be given by publishing a warning (i) in a newspaper 941 published within the limits of such city or borough [,] or having a 942 general circulation therein, not more than fifteen nor less than five days 943 previous to holding the election, and (ii) on the Internet web site of such 944 city or borough, or the town having such city or borough within such 945 town's limits, not more than fifteen nor less than five days previous to 946 holding the election, which warning shall include notice of (I) the time 947 and the location of [the] each polling place in such city or borough, 948 [and,] (II) in cities and boroughs divided into voting districts, [of] the 949 time and the location of [the] each polling place in each district, and (III) 950 the time and the location of each location designated for election day 951 registration in such city or borough. 952 Sec. 20. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 9-140 of the general statutes 953 are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 954 1, 2021): 955 (a) (1) [Application] Except as provided in subsection (b) of this 956 section, application for an absentee ballot shall be made to the clerk of 957 the municipality in which the applicant is eligible to vote or has applied 958 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 31 of 69 for such eligibility. Any person who assists another person in the 959 completion of an application shall, in the space provided, sign the 960 application and print or type his name, residence address and telephone 961 number. Such signature shall be made under the penalties of false 962 statement in absentee balloting. The municipal clerk shall not invalidate 963 the application solely because it does not contain the name of a person 964 who assisted the applicant in the completion of the application. The 965 municipal clerk shall not distribute with an absentee ballot application 966 any material which promotes the success or defeat of any candidate or 967 referendum question. The municipal clerk shall maintain a log of all 968 absentee ballot applications provided under this subsection, including 969 the name and address of each person to whom applications are 970 provided and the number of applications provided to each such person. 971 Each absentee ballot application provided by the municipal clerk shall 972 be consecutively numbered and be stamped or marked with the name 973 of the municipality issuing the application. The application shall be 974 signed by the applicant under the penalties of false statement in 975 absentee balloting on [(1)] (A) the form prescribed by the Secretary of 976 the State pursuant to section 9-139a, [(2)] (B) a form provided by any 977 federal department or agency if applicable pursuant to section 9-153a, 978 or [(3)] (C) any of the special forms of application prescribed pursuant 979 to section 9-150c, 9-153a, 9-153b, 9-153d, 9-153e, 9-153f or 9-158d, if 980 applicable. Any such absentee ballot applicant who is unable to write 981 may cause the application to be completed by an authorized agent who 982 shall, in the spaces provided for the date and signature, write the date 983 and name of the absentee ballot applicant followed by the word "by" 984 and his own signature. If the ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, the 985 applicant shall list the bona fide personal mailing address of the 986 applicant in the appropriate space on the application. 987 [(b)] (2) A municipal clerk may transmit an application to a person 988 under this subsection by facsimile machine or other electronic means, if 989 so requested by the applicant. If a municipal clerk has a facsimile 990 machine or other electronic means, an applicant may return a completed 991 application to the clerk by such a machine or device, provided the 992 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 32 of 69 applicant shall also mail the original of the completed application to the 993 clerk, either separately or with the absentee ballot that is issued to the 994 applicant. If the clerk does not receive such original application by the 995 close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum, the 996 absentee ballot shall not be counted. 997 (b) On and after July 1, 2021: 998 (1) (A) Application for an absentee ballot may also be made to the 999 Secretary of the State through a telephonic system established and 1000 maintained by the Secretary for such purpose if an applicant's signature 1001 is in a database described in subsection (b) of section 9-19k and such 1002 signature may be imported into such online system. 1003 (B) In order for an application for an absentee ballot to be submitted 1004 through the telephonic system described in subparagraph (A) of this 1005 subdivision, the applicant's signature shall be obtained from a database 1006 described in subsection (b) of section 9-19k and the applicant shall, in 1007 speaking with a respondent from the office of the Secretary of the State, 1008 (i) provide his or her name, (ii) indicate the municipality in which such 1009 applicant is eligible to vote or has applied for such eligibility, and (iii) 1010 swear or affirm under penalties of false statement in absentee balloting 1011 that: 1012 (I) Such person is the person whose name was so provided and 1013 desires to apply for an absentee ballot; 1014 (II) Such person is eligible to vote in the municipality so indicated or 1015 has applied for such eligibility; and 1016 (III) Such person authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles or 1017 other state agency to transmit to the Secretary such person's signature 1018 that is on file with such agency and understands that such signature will 1019 be used by the Secretary through this telephonic application for an 1020 absentee ballot as if such person had signed this form personally. 1021 (2) (A) Application for an absentee ballot may also be made to the 1022 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 33 of 69 Secretary of the State through an online system established and 1023 maintained by the Secretary for such purpose if an applicant's signature 1024 is in a database described in subsection (b) of section 9-19k and such 1025 signature may be imported into such online system. 1026 (B) In order for an application for an absentee ballot to be submitted 1027 through the online system described in subparagraph (A) of this 1028 subdivision, the applicant's signature shall be obtained from a database 1029 described in subsection (b) of section 9-19k and the applicant shall, on 1030 an online form prescribed by the Secretary, (i) type his or her name, (ii) 1031 indicate the municipality in which such applicant is eligible to vote or 1032 has applied for such eligibility, and (iii) mark a box associated with the 1033 following statement: 1034 "By clicking on the box below, I swear or affirm all of the following 1035 under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting: 1036 1. I am the person whose name is provided on this form, and I desire 1037 to apply for an absentee ballot. 1038 2. I am eligible to vote in the municipality provided on this form or 1039 have applied for such eligibility. 1040 3. I authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles or other Connecticut 1041 state agency to transmit to the Connecticut Secretary of the State my 1042 signature that is on file with such agency and understand that such 1043 signature will be used by the Secretary on this online application for an 1044 absentee ballot as if I had signed this form personally." 1045 (3) Not later than twenty-four hours after receipt of any submitted 1046 application for an absentee ballot through the telephonic or online 1047 system described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, the 1048 Secretary shall transmit such application to the clerk of the municipality 1049 indicated in such application. 1050 Sec. 21. Subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 9-140b of the 1051 general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1052 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 34 of 69 thereof (Effective from passage): 1053 (a) An absentee ballot shall be cast at a primary, election or 1054 referendum only if: (1) It is mailed by (A) the ballot applicant, (B) a 1055 designee of a person who applies for an absentee ballot because of 1056 illness or physical disability, or (C) a member of the immediate family 1057 of an applicant who is a student, so that it is received by the clerk of the 1058 municipality in which the applicant is qualified to vote not later than the 1059 close of the polls; (2) it is returned by the applicant in person to the clerk 1060 by the day before a regular election, special election or primary or prior 1061 to the opening of the polls on the day of a referendum; (3) it is returned 1062 by a designee of an ill or physically disabled ballot applicant, in person, 1063 to said clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election, 1064 primary or referendum; (4) it is returned by a member of the immediate 1065 family of the absentee voter, in person, to said clerk not later than the 1066 close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum; (5) 1067 in the case of a presidential or overseas ballot, it is mailed or otherwise 1068 returned pursuant to the provisions of section 9-158g; or (6) it is returned 1069 with the proper identification as required by the Help America Vote Act, 1070 P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, if applicable, inserted in the 1071 outer envelope so such identification can be viewed without opening 1072 the inner envelope. A person returning an absentee ballot to the 1073 municipal clerk pursuant to subdivision (3) or (4) of this subsection shall 1074 present identification and, on the outer envelope of the absentee ballot, 1075 sign his name in the presence of the municipal clerk, and indicate his 1076 address, his relationship to the voter or his position, and the date and 1077 time of such return. As used in this section, "immediate family" means 1078 a dependent relative who resides in the individual's household or any 1079 spouse, child, [or] parent or sibling of the individual. 1080 (b) As used in this section and section 9-150c, "designee" means (1) a 1081 person who is caring for the applicant because of the applicant's illness 1082 or physical disability, including but not limited to, a licensed physician 1083 or a registered or practical nurse, (2) a member of the applicant's family, 1084 who is designated by an absentee ballot applicant and who consents to 1085 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 35 of 69 such designation, or (3) [if no such person consents or is available, then] 1086 a police officer, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters or assistant 1087 registrar of voters in the municipality in which the applicant resides. 1088 (c) (1) For purposes of this section, "mailed" means (A) sent by the 1089 United States Postal Service or any commercial carrier, courier or 1090 messenger service recognized and approved by the Secretary of the 1091 State, or (B) [for the state election in 2020,] deposited in a secure drop 1092 box designated by the municipal clerk for such purpose, in accordance 1093 with instructions prescribed by the Secretary. 1094 (2) In the case of absentee ballots mailed under subparagraph (B) of 1095 subdivision (1) of this subsection, beginning on the twenty-ninth day 1096 before [the state election in 2020] each election and on each weekday 1097 thereafter until the close of the polls at such election, the municipal clerk 1098 shall (A) retrieve from the secure drop box described in said 1099 subparagraph each such ballot deposited in such drop box, and (B) if the 1100 drop box is located outside a building other than the building where the 1101 clerk's office is located, arrange for the clerk or the clerk's designee to be 1102 escorted by a police officer during such retrieval. 1103 Sec. 22. Section 9-140c of the general statutes is repealed and the 1104 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1105 (a) The municipal clerk shall retain the envelopes containing absentee 1106 ballots received by him under section 9-140b, as amended by this act, 1107 and shall not open such envelopes. The municipal clerk shall endorse 1108 over his signature, upon each outer envelope as he receives it, the date 1109 and precise time of its receipt. The clerk shall make an affidavit attesting 1110 to the accuracy of all such endorsements, and at the close of the polls 1111 shall deliver such affidavit to the head moderator, who shall endorse the 1112 time of its receipt and return it to the clerk after all counting is complete. 1113 The clerk shall preserve the affidavit for one hundred eighty days in 1114 accordance with the requirements of section 9-150b. The clerk shall keep 1115 a list of the names of the applicants who return absentee ballots to the 1116 clerk under section 9-140b, as amended by this act. The list shall be 1117 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 36 of 69 preserved as a public record as required by section 9-150b. 1118 (b) (1) [(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this 1119 subdivision, beginning not earlier than the seventh] Beginning on the 1120 fourteenth day before the election, primary or referendum and on any 1121 weekday thereafter, all absentee ballots received by the municipal clerk 1122 at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. of such day may be sorted into voting 1123 districts by the municipal clerk and checked as provided in this 1124 [subparagraph] subsection. On any such day, beginning as soon as the 1125 ballots have been sorted, the registrars of voters, without opening the 1126 outer envelopes, may check the names of the applicants returning 1127 ballots on the official checklist to be used at the election, primary or 1128 referendum by indicating "absentee" or "A" preceding each such name 1129 and, if unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in 1130 the primary of either of two parties, the designation of the party in 1131 which the applicants are voting preceding each such name. [Unless 1132 absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places, 1133 pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the] The registrars shall also 1134 place such indication on a duplicate checklist to be retained by the 1135 municipal clerk until the municipal clerk delivers such duplicate 1136 checklist to the registrars, in accordance with subsection (e) of this 1137 section, for the use of the absentee ballot counters pursuant to 1138 subsection (i) of this section. 1139 [(B) For the state election in 2020, beginning on the fourteenth day 1140 before the election and on any weekday thereafter, all absentee ballots 1141 received by the municipal clerk at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. of such 1142 day may be sorted into voting districts by the municipal clerk and 1143 checked as provided in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.] 1144 (2) All absentee ballots received at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. of 1145 the last day before the election, primary or referendum which is not a 1146 Sunday or legal holiday, shall be sorted into voting districts by the 1147 municipal clerk and checked as provided in [subparagraph (A) of] 1148 subdivision (1) of this subsection not later than such last day. 1149 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 37 of 69 (c) If the name of the applicant returning the ballot is not on the 1150 official checklist for any polling place in such municipality, the 1151 registrars shall endorse on the face of such outer envelope the word 1152 "rejected", followed by a statement of the reasons for rejection, and the 1153 outer envelope shall not be opened or the ballot counted. 1154 (d) After such checking has been completed on any such day, the 1155 municipal clerk shall seal the unopened ballots in a package and retain 1156 them in a safe place. 1157 [(e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, ballots 1158 received at or prior to eleven o'clock a.m. on the last day before the 1159 election, primary or referendum shall be delivered by the municipal 1160 clerk to the registrars between ten o'clock a.m. and twelve o'clock noon 1161 on the day of the election or primary and at twelve o'clock noon on the 1162 day of a referendum. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the 1163 respective polling places, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, 1164 the municipal clerk shall also deliver to the registrars at this time the 1165 duplicate checklist provided for in subsection (b) of this section, for the 1166 use of the absentee ballot counters pursuant to subsection (i) of this 1167 section. 1168 (2) (A) For the state election in 2020:] 1169 [(i)] (e) (1) (A) Ballots received, sorted and checked prior to five 1170 o'clock p.m. on the [(I)] (i) fourth day before the election may be 1171 delivered by the municipal clerk to the registrars at five o'clock p.m. on 1172 such fourth day, [(II)] (ii) third day before the election may be so 1173 delivered at five o'clock p.m. on such third day, and [(III)] (iii) second 1174 day before the election may be so delivered at five o'clock p.m. on such 1175 second day; 1176 [(ii)] (B) Ballots received [not later than] at or prior to eleven o'clock 1177 a.m. on the last day before the election shall be sorted and checked not 1178 later than such last day and shall be delivered by the municipal clerk to 1179 the registrars at six o'clock a.m. on the day of the election. [; and] 1180 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 38 of 69 [(iii)] (C) Each time ballots are delivered pursuant to [this] 1181 subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, the municipal clerk shall 1182 also deliver to the registrars at such time a copy of the duplicate 1183 checklist provided for in subsection (b) of this section, current as of the 1184 time of such delivery, for the use of the absentee ballot counters 1185 pursuant to subsection (i) of this section. 1186 [(B)] (2) The municipal clerk may deliver the ballots at times later than 1187 those provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, [or subparagraph 1188 (A) of this subdivision, as applicable,] provided any such time is 1189 mutually agreed upon by the municipal clerk and registrars and is not 1190 later than eight o'clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or 1191 referendum. 1192 (f) Absentee ballots timely received by the clerk after eleven o'clock 1193 a.m. of such last day before an election, primary or referendum shall be 1194 sorted into voting districts by the clerk and retained by the clerk 1195 separately until delivered to the registrars of voters for checking. 1196 (g) Any or all of such ballots received after eleven o'clock a.m. of such 1197 last day before an election, primary or referendum and before six o'clock 1198 p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum shall, upon 1199 request of the registrars, be delivered to the registrars by the municipal 1200 clerk at six o'clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or 1201 referendum for checking, or at a later time mutually agreed upon by the 1202 clerk and registrars, provided such time is not later than eight o'clock 1203 p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum. 1204 (h) Absentee ballots received after six o'clock p.m. on the day of the 1205 election, primary or referendum and any ballots received prior to six 1206 o'clock p.m. of such day which were not delivered earlier shall be 1207 delivered to the registrars at the close of the polls for checking. Although 1208 absentee ballots shall be checked by the registrars of voters at various 1209 times throughout the election, primary or referendum day, absentee 1210 ballots may be counted at one single time during such day. 1211 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 39 of 69 (i) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the absentee 1212 ballot counters, upon receipt of the ballots delivered by the municipal 1213 clerk to the registrars at six o'clock p.m. on the day of the election, 1214 primary or referendum and at the close of the polls pursuant to 1215 subsections (g) and (h) of this section, shall check the names of the 1216 applicants returning ballots on the duplicate checklist in the same 1217 manner as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. 1218 (2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 1219 the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at six o'clock p.m. 1220 on the day of the election, primary or referendum shall be called in to 1221 the appropriate polling places where they shall be checked by the 1222 checkers on the official checklists, and they shall also be checked by the 1223 absentee ballot counters on the duplicate checklist required under 1224 subsection (b) of this section. 1225 (B) Whenever absentee ballots are counted in any polling place 1226 pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the names of applicants 1227 whose ballots were delivered at six o'clock p.m. on the day of the 1228 election, primary or referendum shall be checked by the absentee ballot 1229 counters and checkers at such polling place on the official checklist used 1230 at such polling place. 1231 (3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 1232 the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at the close of the 1233 polls shall be checked by the absentee ballot counters on the official 1234 checklists used at the polling places and such official checklists, bearing 1235 the certifications required by section 9-307, shall be delivered by the 1236 registrars or assistant registrars to the central counting moderator for 1237 that purpose. 1238 (B) Whenever absentee ballots are counted in any polling place 1239 pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the official checklist used at 1240 such polling place shall remain in such polling place for checking by the 1241 absentee ballot counters at such polling place. 1242 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 40 of 69 (4) If the name of an applicant returning a ballot has been checked on 1243 the official checklist as having voted in person the absentee ballot 1244 counters shall, in checking the ballots, endorse on the face of the outer 1245 envelope the word "rejected" followed by a statement of the reason for 1246 rejection, and the outer envelope shall not be opened or the ballot 1247 counted. 1248 (5) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 1249 when central counting is completed and the result is announced, the 1250 central counting moderator shall deliver the duplicate checklist, the 1251 official checklists and the returns required by section 9-150b to the head 1252 moderator. 1253 (B) Whenever absentee ballots are counted in any polling place 1254 pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, and such counting is 1255 completed and the result for such polling place is announced, the 1256 moderator for such polling place shall deliver the official checklist used 1257 at such polling place and the return required by section 9-150b to the 1258 head moderator. 1259 (j) Each time absentee ballots are delivered by the clerk to the 1260 registrars pursuant to this section, the clerk and registrars shall execute 1261 an affidavit of delivery and receipt stating the number of ballots 1262 delivered. The clerk shall preserve the affidavit for the period prescribed 1263 in section 9-150b. 1264 (k) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the 1265 absentee ballot counters shall count, in the manner provided in section 1266 9-150a, each group of absentee ballots upon receipt from the registrars. 1267 (2) [For the state election in 2020, whenever] Whenever absentee 1268 ballots are to be processed before the day of the election, pursuant to 1269 subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 9-147a, as amended by this 1270 act, the absentee ballot counters shall process, in the manner provided 1271 in section 9-150e, as amended by this act, each group of absentee ballots 1272 upon receipt from the registrars. 1273 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 41 of 69 (l) The municipal clerk shall retain all outer envelopes containing 1274 absentee ballots received by him after the close of the polls, unopened, 1275 for the period prescribed in section 9-150b. 1276 Sec. 23. Section 9-140e of the general statutes is repealed and the 1277 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1278 (a) Any elector who is permanently physically disabled or suffering 1279 from a long-term illness and who files an application for an absentee 1280 ballot with a certification from a primary care provider, indicating that 1281 such elector is permanently physically disabled or suffering from a long-1282 term illness and unable to appear in person at such elector's designated 1283 polling location, shall be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status 1284 and shall receive an absentee ballot for each election, primary or 1285 referendum conducted in such elector's municipality for which such 1286 elector is eligible to vote. Such elector's permanent absentee ballot status 1287 shall remain in effect until such elector: (1) Is removed from the official 1288 registry list of the municipality, (2) is removed from permanent absentee 1289 ballot status pursuant to the provisions of this section, or (3) requests 1290 that he or she no longer receive such permanent absentee ballot status. 1291 (b) The registrars of voters shall send written notice to each such 1292 elector with permanent absentee ballot status in January of each year, 1293 on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, for the purpose of 1294 determining if such elector continues to reside at the address indicated 1295 on the elector's permanent absentee ballot application. If [(1)] such 1296 written notice is returned as undeliverable, [or (2) not later than thirty 1297 days after such notice is sent to the elector, the elector fails to return such 1298 notice to the registrars of voters, as directed on the form,] the elector in 1299 question shall be removed from permanent absentee ballot status. If 1300 such elector indicates on such notice that the elector no longer resides at 1301 such address and the elector's new address is within the same 1302 municipality, the registrars of voters shall change the elector's address 1303 pursuant to section 9-35 and such elector shall retain permanent 1304 absentee ballot status. If the elector indicates on such notice that the 1305 elector no longer resides in the municipality, the registrars of voters 1306 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 42 of 69 shall remove such individual from the registry list of the municipality 1307 and send such individual an application for voter registration. Failure 1308 to return such written notice shall not result in the removal of an elector 1309 from the official registry list of the municipality or from permanent 1310 absentee ballot status. 1311 Sec. 24. Section 9-147a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1312 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1313 (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) or (c) of this section, at any 1314 election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots shall, within 1315 existing resources, be counted in the manner provided in section 9-150a 1316 at a central location designated by the registrars of voters in writing to 1317 the municipal clerk at least twenty days before the election, primary or 1318 referendum, which location shall be published in the warning for the 1319 election, primary or referendum. Except as provided in subsection (b) of 1320 this section, if unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to 1321 vote in the primary of either of two parties, all absentee ballots shall be 1322 separated, counted, tallied and placed in depository envelopes by 1323 voting district. Any member of the public may observe the counting of 1324 absentee ballots at such central location. 1325 (b) At any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots may 1326 be counted in the manner provided in section 9-150a in the respective 1327 polling places if the registrars of voters agree that such absentee ballots 1328 should be so counted. If unaffiliated electors are authorized under 1329 section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, absentee 1330 ballots may be counted in the respective polling places if the parties 1331 agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. Any election 1332 official serving in a polling place may observe the counting of absentee 1333 ballots at such polling place. 1334 (c) (1) [For the state election in 2020, absentee] Absentee ballots may 1335 be processed before the day of [the] any election, primary or referendum 1336 in the manner provided in section 9-150e, as amended by this act. Any 1337 such processing shall take place at a central location designated by the 1338 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 43 of 69 registrars of voters in writing to the municipal clerk at least ten days 1339 before the election, which location shall be published in the warning for 1340 the election. 1341 (2) If absentee ballots are to be processed pursuant to subdivision (1) 1342 of this subsection, the registrars of voters and municipal clerk shall 1343 jointly certify such fact in writing to the Secretary of the State at least ten 1344 days before the election. Such written certification shall (A) include the 1345 name, street address and relevant contact information associated with 1346 the designated central location, and (B) list the name and address of each 1347 absentee ballot counter appointed pursuant to section 9-147c. The 1348 Secretary shall approve or disapprove such written certification not later 1349 than two days after receipt of such certification and may require the 1350 appointment of one or more additional absentee ballot counters. 1351 (3) In the case of absentee ballots delivered to the registrars on the 1352 day of the election, nothing in this subsection shall preclude the 1353 counting of such absentee ballots in the respective polling places 1354 pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. 1355 Sec. 25. Section 9-150e of the general statutes is repealed and the 1356 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1357 Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-150a, [for the state 1358 election in 2020,] in any municipality in which absentee ballots are 1359 processed pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 9-147a, 1360 as amended by this act: 1361 (a) (1) Not earlier than five o'clock p.m. on the fourth day before the 1362 election, primary or referendum, the absentee ballot counters shall 1363 proceed to the central counting location at the times designated by the 1364 registrars of voters; 1365 (2) At the time each group of ballots is delivered pursuant to 1366 [subdivision (2) of] subsection (e) of section 9-140c, as amended by this 1367 act, the counters shall proceed as hereinafter provided; 1368 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 44 of 69 (3) Except with respect to ballots marked "Rejected" pursuant to 1369 section 9-140c, as amended by this act, or other applicable law, the 1370 counters shall then remove the inner envelopes from the outer 1371 envelopes, shall note the total number of absentee ballots received and 1372 shall report such total to the moderator. The counters shall similarly 1373 note and separately so report the total numbers of presidential ballots 1374 and overseas ballots received pursuant to sections 9-158a to 9-158m, 1375 inclusive; 1376 (4) If the statement on the inner envelope has not been signed as 1377 required by section 9-140a, such inner envelope shall not be opened or 1378 the ballot removed therefrom at that time, and such inner envelope shall 1379 be replaced in the opened outer envelope which shall be marked 1380 "Rejected" and the reason therefor endorsed thereon by the counters; 1381 and 1382 (5) Not earlier than the day of the election, and after the duties under 1383 subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this subsection have been 1384 performed, absentee ballots shall be counted in the manner provided in 1385 subsections (e) to (m), inclusive, of section 9-150a. 1386 (b) In accordance with instructions [which shall be] prescribed by the 1387 Secretary of the State, [not later than ten days before the election,] each 1388 group of ballots delivered pursuant to subdivision [(2)] (1) of subsection 1389 (e) of section 9-140c, as amended by this act, shall be kept secure (1) 1390 throughout the performance of the duties under subdivisions (1) to (4), 1391 inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section, and (2) after such performance 1392 until such time on the day of the election that absentee ballots are 1393 counted in the manner provided in subsections (e) to (m), inclusive, of 1394 section 9-150a. The requirements of this subsection shall be in addition 1395 to all other applicable requirements under this title regarding the 1396 security of absentee ballots and any related materials. 1397 Sec. 26. Section 9-159o of the general statutes is repealed and the 1398 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1399 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 45 of 69 [(a)] Any elector who has returned an absentee ballot to the municipal 1400 clerk and who finds such elector is able to vote in person shall proceed 1401 before [ten o'clock a.m.] five o'clock p.m. on the fourth day before 1402 election, primary or referendum day to the municipal clerk's office and 1403 request that such elector's ballot be withdrawn. The municipal clerk 1404 shall remove the ballot from the sealed package and shall mark the 1405 serially-numbered outer envelope, which shall remain unopened, 1406 "rejected" and note the reasons for rejection. The elector shall also 1407 endorse the envelope. The rejected ballot shall then be returned to the 1408 sealed package until delivered on election, primary or referendum day 1409 to the registrars of voters in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended 1410 by this act. The municipal clerk shall then give the elector a signed 1411 statement directed to the moderator of the voting district in which the 1412 elector resides stating that the elector has withdrawn such elector's 1413 absentee ballot and may vote in person. Upon delivery of the statement 1414 by the elector to the moderator, the moderator shall cause the absentee 1415 indication next to the name of the elector to be stricken from the official 1416 checklist and the elector may then have such elector's name checked and 1417 vote in person. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the 1418 respective polling places pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, 1419 the municipal clerk shall also cause the absentee indication next to the 1420 name of the elector to be stricken from the duplicate checklist to be used 1421 by the absentee ballot counters. 1422 [(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 1423 for the state election in 2020, any elector who has returned an absentee 1424 ballot to the municipal clerk and who finds such elector is able to vote 1425 in person shall proceed before five o'clock p.m. on the fourth day before 1426 the election to the municipal clerk's office and request that such elector's 1427 ballot be withdrawn.] 1428 Sec. 27. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Whenever voter registration 1429 information maintained under title 9 of the general statutes by the 1430 Secretary of the State or any registrar of voters is provided pursuant to 1431 any provision of the general statutes, disclosure of a voter's date of birth 1432 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 46 of 69 shall be limited to only the year of birth, unless such voter registration 1433 information is requested and used for a governmental purpose, as 1434 determined by the Secretary, in which case the voter's complete date of 1435 birth shall be provided. As used in this section, a governmental purpose 1436 shall include, but not be limited to, jury administration. 1437 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any motor 1438 vehicle operator's license number, identity card number, Social Security 1439 number and any other unique identifier used for the purpose of 1440 generating a voter registration record, or added to such record for 1441 compliance with the requirements of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 1442 107-252, as amended from time to time, shall be confidential and shall 1443 not be disclosed to any person. 1444 (c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, if a voter 1445 submits to the Secretary of the State a signed statement that 1446 nondisclosure of such voter's name from the official registry list is 1447 necessary for the safety of such voter or the voter's family, the name and 1448 address of such voter on his or her voter registration record shall be 1449 confidential and shall not be disclosed, except that an election, primary 1450 or referendum official may view such information on the official registry 1451 list when such list is used by any such official at a polling place on the 1452 day of an election, primary or referendum. 1453 Sec. 28. (NEW) (Effective from passage) In the case of a municipality, or 1454 a voting district within a municipality, in which, as reported in the 1455 decennial census of the United States, (1) the number of United States 1456 citizens of voting age in a single language minority group (A) is more 1457 than seven thousand five hundred, (B) makes up more than three per 1458 cent of all voting age citizens in such municipality or voting district, or 1459 (C) if on an Indian reservation, makes up more than three per cent of all 1460 reservation residents, or (2) the illiteracy rate of a single language 1461 minority group is higher than the national illiteracy rate, such 1462 municipality at any election, primary or referendum held within such 1463 municipality or voting district shall make available ballots in the 1464 language of each such language minority group to be used in such 1465 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 47 of 69 municipality or voting district at such election, primary or referendum. 1466 As used in this section, "language minority group" means American 1467 Indians, Asian Americans, Alaskan Natives or Spanish-heritage 1468 citizens. 1469 Sec. 29. Section 9-135 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1470 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 1471 (a) Any elector eligible to vote at a primary or an election and any 1472 person eligible to vote at a referendum may vote by absentee ballot if 1473 such elector or person is unable to appear at such elector's or person's 1474 polling place [during the hours of voting] on the day of such primary, 1475 election or referendum for any of the following reasons: (1) Such 1476 elector's or person's active service with the armed forces of the United 1477 States; (2) such elector's or person's absence from the town of [such 1478 elector's or person's voting residence during all of the hours of voting] 1479 which such elector or person is an inhabitant; (3) [such elector's or 1480 person's illness] sickness; (4) [such elector's or person's] physical 1481 disability; (5) the tenets of such elector's or person's religion forbid 1482 secular activity; [on the day of the primary, election or referendum;] or 1483 (6) the required performance of such elector's or person's duties as a 1484 primary, election or referendum official, including as a town clerk or 1485 registrar of voters or as staff of the clerk or registrar, at a polling place 1486 other than such elector's or person's own during all of the hours of 1487 voting at such primary, election or referendum. [; or (7) for the state 1488 election in 2020, the sickness of COVID-19. As used in this section, 1489 "COVID-19" means the respiratory disease designated by the World 1490 Health Organization on February 11, 2020, as coronavirus 2019, and any 1491 related mutation thereof recognized by said organization as a 1492 communicable respiratory disease.] 1493 (b) No person shall misrepresent the eligibility requirements for 1494 voting by absentee ballot prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, to 1495 any elector or prospective absentee ballot applicant. 1496 Sec. 30. Section 9-137 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1497 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 48 of 69 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 1498 [(a)] Each absentee ballot shall be returned to the municipal clerk, 1499 inserted in an inner envelope which shall be capable of being sealed and 1500 which shall have printed on its face a form containing the following 1501 statements: 1502 "I hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee 1503 balloting that I am eligible to vote at the primary, election or referendum 1504 in the municipality in which this absentee ballot is to be cast and that I 1505 expect to be unable to appear at my polling place [during the hours of 1506 voting at] on the day of such primary, election or referendum for one or 1507 more of the following reasons: (1) My active service in the armed forces; 1508 (2) my absence from the town in which I am eligible to vote; [during all 1509 of the hours of voting; (3) my illness] (3) sickness or physical disability; 1510 (4) the tenets of my religion which forbid secular activity; [on the day of 1511 the primary, election or referendum;] or (5) my duties as a primary, 1512 election or referendum official. 1513 Date .... 1514 .... (Signature)" 1515 [(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 1516 for the state election in 2020, each inner envelope in which an absentee 1517 ballot is returned to the municipal clerk shall have printed on its face a 1518 form containing the following statements: 1519 "I hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee 1520 balloting that I am eligible to vote at the primary, election or referendum 1521 in the municipality in which this absentee ballot is to be cast and that I 1522 expect to be unable to appear at my polling place during the hours of 1523 voting at such primary, election or referendum for one or more of the 1524 following reasons: (1) My active service in the armed forces; (2) my 1525 absence from the town in which I am eligible to vote during all of the 1526 hours of voting; (3) my illness or physical disability; (4) the tenets of my 1527 religion which forbid secular activity on the day of the primary, election 1528 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 49 of 69 or referendum; (5) my duties as a primary, election or referendum 1529 official; or (6) the sickness of COVID-19. 1530 Date .... 1531 .... (Signature)"] 1532 Sec. 31. Section 9-453e of the general statutes is repealed and the 1533 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1534 Each circulator of a nominating petition page shall be a United States 1535 citizen [,] and at least eighteen years of age, [and a resident of a town in 1536 this state] and shall not be on parole for conviction of a felony. Any 1537 individual proposed as a candidate in any nominating petition may 1538 serve as circulator of the pages of such nominating petition. 1539 Sec. 32. Section 9-453j of the general statutes is repealed and the 1540 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1541 Each page of a nominating petition submitted to the town clerk or the 1542 Secretary of the State and filed with the Secretary of the State under the 1543 provisions of sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or section 9-216 shall 1544 contain a statement as to the residency [in this state] and eligibility of 1545 the circulator and as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon, signed 1546 under [penalties] penalty of false statement, by the person who 1547 circulated the same. Such statement shall set forth (1) [such] the 1548 circulator's residence address, including the town [in this state] in which 1549 [such] the circulator is a resident, (2) if the circulator is not a resident in 1550 this state, that the circulator agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of the 1551 state in any case or controversy arising out of or related to the circulation 1552 of a petition pursuant to this subpart, (3) the circulator's date of birth 1553 and that the circulator is at least eighteen years of age, [(3)] (4) that the 1554 circulator is a United States citizen and not on parole for conviction of a 1555 felony, and [(4)] (5) that each person whose name appears on such page 1556 signed the same in person in the presence of [such] the circulator and 1557 that either the circulator knows each such signer or that the signer 1558 satisfactorily identified himself or herself to the circulator. Any false 1559 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 50 of 69 statement committed with respect to such statement shall be deemed to 1560 have been committed in the town in which the petition was circulated. 1561 Sec. 33. Subsection (a) of section 9-453k of the general statutes is 1562 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1563 passage): 1564 (a) The town clerk or Secretary of the State shall not accept any page 1565 of a nominating petition unless the circulator thereof has signed before 1566 [him] the clerk, the Secretary or an appropriate person as provided in 1567 section 1-29, the statement as to the residency [in this state] and 1568 eligibility of the circulator and as to the authenticity of the signatures 1569 thereon required by section 9-453j, as amended by this act. 1570 Sec. 34. Subsection (a) of section 9-453o of the general statutes is 1571 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1572 passage): 1573 (a) The Secretary of the State may not count for purposes of 1574 determining compliance with the number of signatures required by 1575 section 9-453d the signatures certified by the town clerk on any petition 1576 page filed under sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or 9-216 if: (1) The 1577 name of the candidate, [his] the candidate's address or the party 1578 designation, if any, has been omitted from the face of the petition; (2) the 1579 page does not contain a statement by the circulator as to the residency 1580 [in this state] and eligibility of the circulator and as to the authenticity 1581 of the signatures thereon as required by section 9-453j, as amended by 1582 this act, or upon which such statement of the circulator is incomplete in 1583 any respect; or (3) the page does not contain the certifications required 1584 by sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, by the town clerk of the town in 1585 which the signers reside. The town clerk shall cure any omission on his 1586 or her part by signing any such page at the office of the Secretary of the 1587 State and making the necessary amendment or by filing a separate 1588 statement in this regard, which amendment shall be dated. 1589 Sec. 35. Subsection (d) of section 9-404b of the general statutes is 1590 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 51 of 69 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1591 passage): 1592 (d) [Each] Any person qualified to vote under the laws of any state or 1593 territory of the United States may be a circulator of a primary petition 1594 page [shall be] if such person (1) is an enrolled party member of a 1595 municipality in this state, [. Each] or (2) agrees to submit to the 1596 jurisdiction of this state in any case or controversy arising out of or 1597 related to the circulation of a primary petition. For any circulator 1598 described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, each petition page shall 1599 contain a statement signed by the registrar of voters of the municipality 1600 in which the circulator is an enrolled party member attesting that the 1601 circulator is an enrolled party member in the municipality. For any 1602 circulator described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, each petition 1603 page shall contain a statement signed by such circulator that he or she 1604 agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this state in any case or 1605 controversy arising out of or related to the circulation of a primary 1606 petition, which signed statement shall be attested to by the registrar of 1607 voters of the municipality in which such page was circulated. Unless 1608 such a statement by the registrar [of voters] appears on each page so 1609 submitted, the Secretary shall reject the page. Each separate page of the 1610 petition shall contain a statement as to the authenticity of the signatures 1611 on the page and the number of such signatures, and shall be signed 1612 under the [penalties] penalty of false statement by the person who 1613 circulated the page, setting forth the circulator's address and the town 1614 in which the circulator is an enrolled party member and attesting that 1615 each person whose name appears on the page signed the petition in 1616 person in the presence of the circulator, that the circulator either knows 1617 each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified himself or 1618 herself to the circulator and that the spaces for candidates supported, 1619 offices sought and the political party involved were filled in prior to the 1620 obtaining of the signatures. Each separate page of the petition shall also 1621 be acknowledged before an appropriate person as provided in section 1622 1-29. The Secretary shall reject any page of a petition filed with the 1623 Secretary which does not contain such a statement by the circulator as 1624 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 52 of 69 to the authenticity of the signatures on the page, or upon which the 1625 statement of the circulator is incomplete in any respect, or which does 1626 not contain the certification required under this section by the registrar 1627 of the town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member. Any 1628 individual proposed as a candidate in any primary petition may serve 1629 as a circulator of the pages of the petition, provided the individual's 1630 service as circulator does not violate any provision of this section. 1631 Sec. 36. Subsection (c) of section 9-410 of the general statutes is 1632 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1633 passage): 1634 (c) [Each] Any person qualified to vote under the laws of any state or 1635 territory of the United States may be a circulator of a primary petition 1636 page [shall be] if such person (1) is an enrolled party member of a 1637 municipality in this state, [who is entitled to vote. Each] or (2) agrees to 1638 submit to the jurisdiction of this state in any case or controversy arising 1639 out of or related to the circulation of a primary petition. For any 1640 circulator described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, each petition 1641 page shall contain a statement signed by the registrar of voters of the 1642 municipality in which such circulator is an enrolled party member 1643 attesting that the circulator is an enrolled party member in such 1644 municipality. For any circulator described in subdivision (2) of this 1645 subsection, each petition page shall contain a statement signed by such 1646 circulator that he or she agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this state 1647 in any case or controversy arising out of or related to the circulation of 1648 a primary petition, which signed statement shall be attested to by the 1649 registrar of voters of the municipality in which such page was 1650 circulated. Unless such a statement by the registrar appears on each 1651 page so submitted, the registrar shall reject such page. No candidate for 1652 the nomination of a party for a municipal office or the position of town 1653 committee member shall circulate any petition for another candidate or 1654 another group of candidates contained in one primary petition for the 1655 nomination of such party for the same office or position, and any 1656 petition page circulated in violation of this provision shall be rejected by 1657 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 53 of 69 the registrar. No person shall circulate petitions for more than the 1658 maximum number of candidates to be nominated by a party for the 1659 same office or position, and any petition page circulated in violation of 1660 this provision shall be rejected by the registrar. Each separate sheet of 1661 such petition shall contain a statement as to the authenticity of the 1662 signatures thereon and the number of such signatures, and shall be 1663 signed under the penalties of false statement by the person who 1664 circulated the same, setting forth such circulator's address and the town 1665 in which such circulator is an enrolled party member and attesting that 1666 each person whose name appears on such sheet signed the same in 1667 person in the presence of such circulator, that the circulator either knows 1668 each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified the signer to 1669 the circulator and that the spaces for candidates supported, offices or 1670 positions sought and the political party involved were filled in prior to 1671 the obtaining of the signatures. Each separate sheet of such petition shall 1672 also be acknowledged before an appropriate person as provided in 1673 section 1-29. Any sheet of a petition filed with the registrar which does 1674 not contain such a statement by the circulator as to the authenticity of 1675 the signatures thereon, or upon which the statement of the circulator is 1676 incomplete in any respect, or which does not contain the certification 1677 hereinbefore required by the registrar of the town in which the 1678 circulator is an enrolled party member, shall be rejected by the registrar. 1679 Any individual proposed as a candidate in any primary petition may 1680 serve as a circulator of the pages of such petition, provided such 1681 individual's service as circulator does not violate any provision of this 1682 section. 1683 Sec. 37. Section 9-450 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1684 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1685 (a) Nominations by major parties for any state, district or municipal 1686 office to be filled under the provisions of any law relating to elections to 1687 fill vacancies, unless otherwise provided therein, shall be made in 1688 accordance with the provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, as 1689 amended by this act. 1690 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 54 of 69 (b) (1) [(A)] In the case of nominations for representatives in Congress 1691 and judges of probate in probate districts composed of two or more 1692 towns, provided for in sections 9-212, as amended by this act, and 9-218, 1693 as amended by this act, the delegates to the convention for the last state 1694 election shall be the delegates for the purpose of selecting a candidate to 1695 fill such vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the delegation from any town, 1696 political subdivision or district, such vacancy may be filled by the town 1697 committee of the town in which the delegate resided. Endorsements by 1698 political party conventions pursuant to this subsection may be made 1699 and certified at any time after the resignation or death creating such 1700 vacancy and not later than the fiftieth day before the day of the election. 1701 No such endorsement shall be effective until the presiding officer or 1702 secretary of any district convention has certified the endorsement to the 1703 Secretary of the State. 1704 [(B)] (2) If such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-1705 fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state or 1706 municipal election in November of any year, no primary shall be held 1707 for the nomination of any political party and the party-endorsed 1708 candidate so selected shall be deemed, for the purposes of this chapter, 1709 the person certified by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-1710 444 as the nominee of such party. 1711 [(C)] (3) Except as provided in [subparagraph (B) of this] subdivision 1712 (2) of this subsection, if a candidacy for nomination is filed by or on 1713 behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate not later 1714 than [fourteen days] the day after the party endorsement and in 1715 conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, as amended by this act, 1716 a primary shall be held in each municipality of the district and each part 1717 of a municipality which is a component part of the district, to determine 1718 the nominee of such party for such office, except as provided in section 1719 9-416a. Such primary shall be held on the day that the writs of election 1720 issued by the Governor, pursuant to section 9-212, as amended by this 1721 act, ordered the election to be held, and new writs of election shall be 1722 issued by the Governor in accordance with section 9-212, as amended 1723 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 55 of 69 by this act. 1724 [(D)] (4) Unless the provisions of [subparagraph (B) of this] 1725 subdivision (2) of this subsection apply, petition forms for candidacies 1726 for nomination by a political party pursuant to this subdivision shall be 1727 available from the Secretary of the State beginning on the day following 1728 the issuance of writs of election by the Governor pursuant to section 9-1729 212, as amended by this act, except when a primary has already been 1730 held, and the provisions of section 9-404a shall otherwise apply to such 1731 petitions. 1732 [(E)] (5) The registry lists used pursuant to this subsection shall be the 1733 last-completed lists, as provided in sections 9-172a and 9-172b. 1734 [(2)] (c) In the case of judges of probate in probate districts composed 1735 of a single town, the day named for the election shall be not earlier than 1736 the one hundred fifteenth day following the day on which the writ of 1737 election is issued, and the times specified in sections 9-391, 9-405 and 9-1738 423 shall be applicable. 1739 [(3) (A)] (d) (1) In the case of nominations for senators in Congress 1740 provided for in section 9-211, as amended by this act, the delegates to 1741 the convention for the last state election shall be the delegates for the 1742 purpose of selecting a candidate to fill such vacancy. If a vacancy occurs 1743 in the delegation from any town or political subdivision, such vacancy 1744 may be filled by the town committee of the town in which the delegate 1745 resided. Endorsements by political party conventions pursuant to this 1746 subsection may be made and certified at any time after the resignation 1747 or death creating such vacancy and not later than the fifty-sixth day 1748 before the day of the primary. No such endorsement shall be effective 1749 until the presiding officer or secretary of any state convention has 1750 certified the endorsement to the Secretary of the State. 1751 [(B)] (2) If such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-1752 fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state or 1753 municipal election in November of any year, no primary shall be held 1754 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 56 of 69 for the nomination of any political party and the party-endorsed 1755 candidate so selected shall be deemed, for the purposes of this chapter, 1756 the person certified by the Secretary of the State, pursuant to section 9-1757 444, as the nominee of such party. In such an event, endorsements by 1758 political party conventions shall be made not later than sixty days prior 1759 to the election. 1760 [(C)] (3) Except as provided in [subparagraph (B) of this] subdivision 1761 (2) of this subsection, if a candidacy for nomination is filed by or on 1762 behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate not later 1763 than [fourteen days] the day after the party endorsement and in 1764 conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, as amended by this act, 1765 a primary shall be held on the fifty-sixth day prior to the day of the 1766 election in each municipality to determine the nominee of such party for 1767 such office, except as provided in section 9-416a. 1768 [(D)] (4) Unless the provisions of [subparagraph (B) of this] 1769 subdivision (2) of this subsection apply, petition forms for candidacies 1770 for nomination by a political party pursuant to this subdivision shall be 1771 available from the Secretary of the State beginning on the day following 1772 the issuance of writs of election by the Governor, pursuant to section 9-1773 211, as amended by this act, except when a primary has already been 1774 held and the provisions of section 9-404a shall otherwise apply to such 1775 petitions. 1776 [(E)] (5) The registry lists used pursuant to this subsection shall be the 1777 last-completed lists, as provided in sections 9-172a and 9-172b. 1778 [(4)] (e) The times specified in sections 9-391, 9-405 and 9-423 shall be 1779 applicable to any special town election held to fill a vacancy in any town 1780 office under subsection (b) of section 9-164. Except as provided under 1781 subsection (c) of section 9-164, any election held to fill a vacancy in any 1782 municipal office under the provisions of any special act shall be held not 1783 earlier than the one hundred twenty-seventh day following the day 1784 upon which warning of such election is issued, and the times specified 1785 in sections 9-391, 9-405 and 9-423 shall be applicable. 1786 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 57 of 69 Sec. 38. Subsection (a) of section 9-212 of the general statutes is 1787 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1788 passage): 1789 (a) In case of a vacancy in the office of representative in Congress 1790 from any district, the Governor, except as otherwise provided by law, 1791 shall not more than ten days after the occurrence of such vacancy issue 1792 writs of election directed to the town clerks or assistant town clerks, in 1793 such district, ordering an election to be held on the sixtieth day after the 1794 issue of such writs on a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, to fill such 1795 vacancy, provided (1) if such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred 1796 twenty-fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state 1797 or municipal election in November of any year, the Governor shall so 1798 issue such writs on the sixtieth day before the day of such regular 1799 election, ordering an election to be held on the day of such regular 1800 election, (2) if such a vacancy occurs after the sixty-third day before the 1801 day of a regular state election but before the regular state election, the 1802 Governor shall not issue such writs and no election shall be held under 1803 this section, unless the position vacated is that of member-elect, in which 1804 case the Governor shall issue such writs and an election shall be held as 1805 provided in this section, and (3) if a primary for such office occurs 1806 pursuant to [subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1)] subdivision (3) of 1807 subsection (b) of section 9-450, as amended by this act, the Governor 1808 shall, within ten days following the filing of a candidacy for nomination 1809 by a person other than the party-endorsed candidate, issue new writs of 1810 election, in place of those first issued pursuant to this section. 1811 Sec. 39. Subsection (a) of section 9-320f of the general statutes is 1812 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1813 passage): 1814 (a) Not earlier than the fifteenth day after any election or primary and 1815 not later than two business days before the canvass of votes by the 1816 Secretary of the State, Treasurer and Comptroller, for any federal or 1817 state election or primary, or by the town clerk for any municipal election 1818 or primary, the registrars of voters shall conduct a manual audit or, for 1819 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 58 of 69 an election or primary held on or after January 1, 2016, an electronic 1820 audit authorized under section 9-320g of the votes recorded in not less 1821 than five per cent of the voting districts in the state, district or 1822 municipality, whichever is applicable. For the purposes of this section, 1823 any central location used in a municipality for the counting of absentee 1824 ballots shall be deemed a voting district. Such manual or electronic audit 1825 shall be noticed in advance and be open to public observation. Any 1826 election official who participates in the administration and conduct of 1827 an audit pursuant to this section shall be compensated by the 1828 municipality at the standard rate of pay established by such 1829 municipality for elections or primaries, as the case may be. 1830 Sec. 40. Section 9-159q of the general statutes is repealed and the 1831 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1832 (a) As used in this section: 1833 (1) "Institution" means a veterans' health care facility, residential care 1834 home, health care facility for the handicapped, nursing home, rest home, 1835 mental health facility, alcohol or drug treatment facility, an infirmary 1836 operated by an educational institution for the care of its students, faculty 1837 and employees or an assisted living facility; and 1838 (2) "Designee" means an elector of the same town and political party 1839 as the appointing registrar of voters, which elector is not an employee 1840 of the institution at which supervised voting is conducted. 1841 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, [to the 1842 contrary,] if less than twenty of the patients in any institution in the state 1843 are electors, absentee ballots voted by such electors shall, upon request 1844 of either registrar of voters in the town of such electors' voting residence 1845 or the administrator of such institution, be voted under the supervision 1846 of such registrars of voters or their designees in accordance with the 1847 provisions of this section. The registrars of voters of a town other than 1848 the town in which an institution is located may refuse a request by the 1849 administrator of such institution when, in their written opinion, the 1850 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 59 of 69 registrars agree that such request is unnecessary, in which case this 1851 section shall not apply. Such registrars shall inform the administrator 1852 and the town clerk of the electors' town of voting residence of their 1853 refusal. 1854 (c) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, such request 1855 shall be made in writing and filed with the town clerk and registrars of 1856 voters of the town of such electors' voting residence, not more than 1857 forty-five days prior to an election or thirty-four days prior to a primary 1858 and not later than the seventh day prior to an election or primary. The 1859 request shall specify the name and location of the institution and the 1860 date and time when the registrars of voters or their designees shall 1861 supervise the casting of absentee ballots at the institution. The request 1862 shall also specify one or more alternate dates and times when 1863 supervised voting may occur. No request shall specify a date or an 1864 alternate date for supervised voting which is later than the last business 1865 day before the election or primary. 1866 (d) The town clerk shall not mail or otherwise deliver an absentee 1867 ballot to an applicant who is a patient in any institution if a request for 1868 supervision of absentee balloting at that institution has been filed with 1869 the clerk during the period set forth in subsection (c) of this section. The 1870 clerk shall instead deliver such ballot or ballots to the registrars of voters 1871 or their designees who will supervise the voting of such ballots in 1872 accordance with this section. 1873 (e) Except in the case of a written refusal as provided in subsection 1874 (b) of this section, upon receipt of a request for supervision of absentee 1875 balloting during the period set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the 1876 registrar or registrars of voters who received the request shall inform 1877 the registrar or administrator who made the request and the town clerk 1878 as to the date and time when such supervision shall occur, which shall 1879 be the date and time contained in the request or the alternate date and 1880 time contained in the request. If the registrar or registrars fail to select 1881 either date, the supervision shall take place on the date and time 1882 contained in the request. If a request for supervision of absentee 1883 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 60 of 69 balloting at an institution is filed during the period set forth in 1884 subsection (c) of this section and the town clerk receives an application 1885 for an absentee ballot from a patient in the institution after the date 1886 when supervised balloting occurred, either registrar of voters may 1887 request, in writing, to the appropriate town clerk and registrars of voters 1888 that the supervision of the voting of absentee ballots at such institution 1889 in accordance with this section be repeated, and in such case the 1890 registrars or their designees shall supervise absentee balloting at such 1891 institution on the date and at the time specified in the subsequent 1892 request, which shall be not later than the last business day before the 1893 election or primary. 1894 (f) On the date when the supervision of absentee balloting at any 1895 institution is to occur, the town clerk shall deliver to the registrars or 1896 their designees the absentee ballots and envelopes for all applicants who 1897 are electors of such clerk's town and patients at such institution. The 1898 ballot and envelopes shall be prepared for delivery to the applicant as 1899 provided in sections 9-137 to 9-140a, inclusive. The registrars or their 1900 designees shall furnish the town clerk a written receipt for such ballots. 1901 (g) The registrars or their designees, as the case may be, shall jointly 1902 deliver the ballots to the respective applicants at the institution and shall 1903 jointly supervise the voting of such ballots. The ballots shall be returned 1904 to the registrars or their designees by the electors in the envelopes 1905 provided and in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-137, 9-139 1906 and 9-140a. If any elector asks for assistance in voting his ballot, two 1907 registrars or their designees of different political parties or, for a 1908 primary, their designees of different candidates, shall render such 1909 assistance as they deem necessary and appropriate to enable such 1910 elector to vote his ballot. The registrars or their designees may reject a 1911 ballot when (1) the elector declines to vote a ballot, or (2) the registrars 1912 or their designees are unable to determine how the elector who has 1913 requested their assistance desires to vote the ballot. When the registrars 1914 or their designees reject a ballot, they shall mark the serially-numbered 1915 outer envelope "rejected" and note the reasons for rejection. Nothing in 1916 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 61 of 69 this section shall limit the right of an elector to vote his ballot in secret. 1917 (h) After all ballots have been voted or marked "rejected" in 1918 accordance with subsection (g) of this section, the registrars or their 1919 designees shall jointly deliver or mail them in the envelopes, which shall 1920 be sealed, to the appropriate town clerk, who shall retain them until 1921 delivered in accordance with section 9-140c. 1922 (i) When an institution is located in a town having a primary, the 1923 registrar in that town of the party holding the primary shall appoint for 1924 each such institution, one designee of the party-endorsed candidates 1925 and one designee of the contestants from the lists, if any, submitted by 1926 the party-endorsed candidates and contestants. Such registrar shall 1927 notify all party-endorsed candidates and all contestants of their right to 1928 submit a list of potential designees under this section. Each party-1929 endorsed candidate and each contestant may submit to such registrar in 1930 writing a list of names of potential designees, provided any such list 1931 shall be submitted not later than ten days before the primary. If no such 1932 lists are submitted within said period, such registrar shall appoint one 1933 designee of the party-endorsed candidates and one designee of the 1934 contestants. Each designee appointed pursuant to this section shall be 1935 sworn to the faithful performance of his duties, and the registrar shall 1936 file a certificate of each designation with his town clerk. 1937 (j) Any registrar of voters who has filed a request that the absentee 1938 balloting at an institution be supervised and any registrar required to 1939 conduct a supervision of voting under this section, who neglects to 1940 perform any of the duties required of him by this section so as to cause 1941 any elector to lose his vote shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any 1942 registrar from the same town as a registrar who has filed such a request 1943 may waive his right to participate in the supervision of absentee 1944 balloting. 1945 (k) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, [to the contrary,] if 1946 the spouse or a child of a registrar of voters or a dependent relative 1947 residing in the registrar's household is a candidate in the election or 1948 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 62 of 69 primary for which supervised absentee voting is to occur, such registrar 1949 shall not supervise such absentee voting but may designate the deputy 1950 registrar of voters or an assistant registrar of voters, appointed by the 1951 registrar pursuant to section 9-192, to supervise the absentee voting in 1952 his place. 1953 (l) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, [if a town 1954 clerk receives twenty or more absentee ballot applications from the same 1955 street address in a town, including, but not limited to, an apartment 1956 building or complex, absentee ballots voted by the electors submitting 1957 such applications may, at the discretion of the registrars of voters of such 1958 town, be voted under the supervision of such registrars of voters or their 1959 designees in accordance with the same procedures set forth in this 1960 section for supervised absentee voting at institutions.] the Secretary of 1961 the State may suspend the supervision of absentee balloting under this 1962 section and section 9-159r, provided the Secretary (1) suspends such 1963 supervision of absentee balloting in recognition of a declaration by the 1964 Governor of a civil preparedness emergency, pursuant to section 28-9, 1965 or a public health emergency, pursuant to section 19a-131, and (2) 1966 submits a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing 1967 committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 1968 relating to elections advising of such suspension and specifying 1969 alternative actions to be taken to provide opportunities for absentee 1970 voting by electors described in this section and section 9-159r. 1971 Sec. 41. (NEW) (Effective from passage) In the case of an elector unable 1972 to appear at such elector's polling place because of a visual impairment, 1973 the Secretary of the State shall electronically provide to such elector an 1974 absentee ballot in a format capable of being read by a computer-related 1975 device and printed. Each such ballot signed by such elector, returned to 1976 the municipal clerk in accordance with section 9-140b of the general 1977 statutes, as amended by this act, and that otherwise satisfies all 1978 requirements for returned absentee ballots shall be counted. 1979 Sec. 42. Subsection (a) of section 9-164 of the general statutes is 1980 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1981 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 63 of 69 1, 2023): 1982 (a) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, there shall be 1983 held in each municipality, biennially, a municipal election [on the first 1984 Monday of May or the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, of 1985 the odd-numbered years, whichever date the legislative body of such 1986 municipality determines, provided, if no action is taken by the 1987 legislative body to so designate the date of such election, such election 1988 shall be held] on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November of the 1989 odd-numbered years. In any municipality where the term of any elected 1990 official would expire prior to the next regular election held under the 1991 provisions of this section, the term of such official shall be extended to 1992 the date of such election. 1993 Sec. 43. Section 9-164a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1994 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1995 Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, in any municipality 1996 in which the date of the municipal election has been, or will be, changed 1997 to the Tuesday after the first Monday of November of the odd-1998 numbered years under section 9-164, as amended by this act, and in 1999 which the terms of office of one or more elected municipal officers had 2000 not, or will have not, expired at the time of the holding of the first 2001 municipal election in accordance with such changed date under said 2002 section, the legislative body of such municipality shall, prior to [July 25, 2003 1969] January 1, 2023, provide for a reasonable method of transition for 2004 such offices which may include reasonable extension of such terms and 2005 provision for interim terms. Except as provided in sections 9-164b, as 2006 amended by this act, 9-164d to 9-164f, inclusive, as amended by this act, 2007 9-187 and 9-187a, as amended by this act, in the absence of such action 2008 by such legislative body, the terms of any such officers which do not 2009 terminate within three months after such first or a subsequent municipal 2010 election held under said section 9-164 shall be extended to the municipal 2011 election next held after the expiration of such terms, or to such date, 2012 within seventy days after such election, on which the terms of municipal 2013 officers generally begin in such municipality, at which election 2014 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 64 of 69 successors shall be elected for the terms provided for by law or for such 2015 other transitional terms as are necessary to provide the rotation required 2016 by law. The clerk of the municipality, in preparing the list provided for 2017 under section 9-254, shall set forth such terms or transitional terms 2018 therein. 2019 Sec. 44. Section 9-164b of the general statutes is repealed and the 2020 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 2021 As to any board or commission with a rotating membership, some of 2022 the members of which, prior to the change to a uniform municipal 2023 election date to the Tuesday after the first Monday of November of the 2024 odd-numbered years under section 9-164, as amended by this act, were 2025 elected for terms beginning approximately one year after the date of 2026 their election, the legislative body may provide for such conforming 2027 changes in the beginning date of the terms of office as are designed to 2028 continue the rotation with regard to such office as it existed prior to such 2029 change, and in the absence of such action by such legislative body, the 2030 beginning date of the terms of such office shall be so changed by the 2031 clerk of the municipality in preparing the list provided for under section 2032 9-254. With respect to any board or commission with a rotating 2033 membership established under sections 8-1, 8-4a, 8-5 and 8-19, the 2034 authority empowered to prescribe the term of office of the members of 2035 such board or commission, if it is authorized under said sections to 2036 provide for an odd-numbered year term, may further provide for 2037 deferred terms by prescribing which terms are to begin approximately 2038 one year from the date on which the terms of municipal officers 2039 generally begin in such municipality. 2040 Sec. 45. Section 9-187a of the general statutes is repealed and the 2041 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 2042 (a) (1) Except as provided in sections 9-164a, as amended by this act, 2043 9-164b, as amended by this act, 9-164d to 9-164f, inclusive, as amended 2044 by this act, and subdivision (2) of this subsection, (A) the term of each 2045 [elected] municipal official elected at a municipal election, other than 2046 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 65 of 69 town clerk and treasurer, shall begin [within seventy days after the 2047 municipal election at which such official is elected, on the day within 2048 such period prescribed by special act or charter provision, or, in the 2049 absence of such special act or charter provision, on the day within such 2050 period as is prescribed by action of the legislative body of such 2051 municipality, provided (1) in each municipality which holds its 2052 municipal election on the first Monday of May in the odd-numbered 2053 years, in the absence of such special act or charter provision, or action of 2054 the legislative body, such terms shall begin on the first day of July 2055 following the municipal election at which such official is elected, and (2) 2056 in each municipality which holds its municipal election on the Tuesday 2057 after the first Monday of November in the odd-numbered years, with 2058 the exception of the term of the town clerk, in the absence of such special 2059 act, or charter provision, or action of the legislative body, such term shall 2060 begin on the second Tuesday next] (i) December first next following the 2061 day of [the municipal election at which such official is elected,] such 2062 municipal election, or (ii) such other day as may be prescribed by special 2063 act for a municipal election held on the Tuesday after the first Monday 2064 of November of the odd-numbered years, and [(3) in each municipality 2065 which holds its municipal election on the Tuesday after the first Monday 2066 in November in the odd-numbered years,] (B) the term of the town clerk 2067 [shall be two years from] or the treasurer, as applicable, elected at a 2068 municipal election shall begin on the first Monday of January next 2069 [succeeding his election, unless otherwise provided by charter or special 2070 act] following the day of such municipal election. Whenever the 2071 beginning date of the terms of elected municipal officials is so 2072 determined or changed, within the limits hereinabove specified, the 2073 authority providing therefor may provide for the conforming 2074 diminution or extension of terms of incumbents. 2075 (2) The legislative body of a municipality may provide for a deferred 2076 beginning date, not to exceed one year from the applicable date set forth 2077 in subdivision (1) of this subsection, of the term of any office to be 2078 elected at a municipal election. 2079 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 66 of 69 (b) In the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in an elected 2080 municipal office, which special election is combined with a regular 2081 election pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-164, the person elected 2082 to fill such vacancy shall begin to serve the unexpired portion of his or 2083 her predecessor's term on the applicable date provided in subsection (a) 2084 of this section. 2085 Sec. 46. Section 9-189a of the general statutes is repealed and the 2086 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 2087 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-189 and 9-190a, any 2088 town or municipality may, by charter or ordinance, provide that the 2089 treasurer or the town clerk of [said] such town or municipality, or the 2090 registrars of voters of [said] such town, or any of such officers, shall, at 2091 the next [succeeding] following regular election for such office and 2092 thereafter, be elected for a term of four years. In such event, such four-2093 year term shall begin on the first Monday of January [succeeding] next 2094 following an election for treasurer or town clerk, [except as provided in 2095 section 9-187a, and from] and on the Wednesday following the first 2096 Monday of January succeeding an election for registrars of voters. [, 2097 provided, if any such town or municipality holds its town or municipal 2098 election on the first Monday of May of the odd-numbered years, the 2099 term of such treasurer or town clerk shall begin on the first day of July 2100 following the election, except as provided in section 9-187a.] 2101 Sec. 47. Subsection (a) of section 9-32 of the general statutes is 2102 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 2103 1, 2023): 2104 (a) In each municipality the registrars, between January first and May 2105 first, annually, shall cause either (1) a complete house to house canvass 2106 to be made in person of each residence on each street, avenue or road 2107 within such municipality, (2) a complete canvass to be made by mail of 2108 each residence located on each street, avenue or road within such 2109 municipality, provided, upon agreement of both registrars, the National 2110 Change of Address System of the United States Postal Service may be 2111 Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 67 of 69 used instead of such mailing, (3) a complete canvass to be made by 2112 telephone of each residence located on each street, avenue or road 2113 within such municipality, or (4) a complete canvass of each residence 2114 within such municipality by any combination of such methods, for the 2115 purpose of ascertaining the name of any elector formerly residing on 2116 such street, avenue or road who has removed therefrom. [; provided in 2117 the odd-numbered years, no canvass need be conducted by the 2118 registrars in a town which holds its regular municipal election on the 2119 first Monday of May in odd-numbered years.] The Secretary of the State 2120 shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 2121 setting forth the procedure to be followed in conducting any such 2122 canvass by either mail or telephone. 2123 Sec. 48. Section 9-164e of the general statutes is repealed and the 2124 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 2125 Before any action is taken under sections 9-164a, as amended by this 2126 act, 9-164b to 9-164f, inclusive, as amended by this act, 9-187 and 9-187a, 2127 as amended by this act, such proposed action shall be submitted by the 2128 legislative body to the municipal attorney of the municipality taking 2129 such action for approval as to conforming to law. 2130 Sec. 49. Section 9-164f of the general statutes is repealed and the 2131 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2023): 2132 Nothing in sections 9-164a, [to] as amended by this act, 9-164b, as 2133 amended by this act, 9-164d, 9-164e, as amended by this act, [inclusive,] 2134 9-187 and 9-187a, as amended by this act, shall affect the election of 2135 registrars of voters. 2136 Sec. 50. Section 9-164c of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 2137 January 1, 2023) 2138 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 from passage 9-19h(b) Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 68 of 69 Sec. 2 from passage 9-19i Sec. 3 January 1, 2022 9-23n Sec. 4 January 1, 2022 9-23o Sec. 5 January 1, 2022 9-23p Sec. 6 from passage New section Sec. 7 from passage 9-17(c) Sec. 8 October 1, 2021 1-4 Sec. 9 from passage New section Sec. 10 from passage 9-12(a) Sec. 11 from passage 9-20 Sec. 12 from passage 9-261 Sec. 13 from passage 9-19j Sec. 14 July 1, 2021 9-45 Sec. 15 July 1, 2021 9-46 Sec. 16 July 1, 2021 9-46a Sec. 17 from passage 9-236 Sec. 18 from passage 9-225(a) Sec. 19 from passage 9-226 Sec. 20 July 1, 2021 9-140(a) and (b) Sec. 21 from passage 9-140b(a) to (c) Sec. 22 from passage 9-140c Sec. 23 from passage 9-140e Sec. 24 from passage 9-147a Sec. 25 from passage 9-150e Sec. 26 from passage 9-159o Sec. 27 from passage New section Sec. 28 from passage New section Sec. 29 October 1, 2021 9-135 Sec. 30 October 1, 2021 9-137 Sec. 31 from passage 9-453e Sec. 32 from passage 9-453j Sec. 33 from passage 9-453k(a) Sec. 34 from passage 9-453o(a) Sec. 35 from passage 9-404b(d) Sec. 36 from passage 9-410(c) Sec. 37 from passage 9-450 Sec. 38 from passage 9-212(a) Sec. 39 from passage 9-320f(a) Sec. 40 from passage 9-159q Sec. 41 from passage New section Substitute Bill No. 5 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00005- R02-SB.docx } 69 of 69 Sec. 42 January 1, 2023 9-164(a) Sec. 43 from passage 9-164a Sec. 44 from passage 9-164b Sec. 45 January 1, 2023 9-187a Sec. 46 January 1, 2023 9-189a Sec. 47 January 1, 2023 9-32(a) Sec. 48 January 1, 2023 9-164e Sec. 49 January 1, 2023 9-164f Sec. 50 January 1, 2023 Repealer section Statement of Legislative Commissioners: In Sections 1(b)(2)(B)(i) and 3(b)(2)(B)(i), "such person's residence" was changed to "the town of residence of such person" for accuracy and consistency; in Sections 1(b)(2)(C) and 3(b)(2)(C), "in which such elector resides" was changed to "of residence of such elector" for consistency; Section 4(1), "services a mail" was changed to "services, a mail" for clarity; in Section 7(c)(2), "as well as" was changed to "and" for consistency; in Section 9, "provided such employee shall request" was changed to "if the employee requests" for accuracy; in Section 11(a)(2), the first sentence was rephrased for conciseness; in Sections 12(f) and 13(j), ", provided such legal representative shall submit" was changed to "if such legal representative submits" for accuracy; in Section 13(k), "in behalf of" was changed to "[in] on behalf of" for consistency; in Section 14(a), "violation or parole" was changed to "violation of parole" for accuracy; in Section 17(b)(1)(A), "in behalf of" was changed to "[in] on behalf of" for consistency; in Section 17(b)(1)(B), "or parked motor vehicle" was inserted for accuracy; in Section 17(b)(2), references to "subdivision (1) of this subsection" were changed to references to "subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this section" for accuracy, and "in lieu of the markers required by said subparagraph" was added for clarity; in Section 19(1), "fifteen, nor less" was changed to "fifteen [,] nor less" for consistency; in Section 19(2), "fifteen, nor less" was changed to "fifteen nor less" for consistency; in Section 25, "subsection [(c)] (b)" was changed to "subsection (c)" for accuracy; and in Section 39(a), "applicable, except that, for" was changed to "applicable. For" for clarity. GAE Joint Favorable Subst.