Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01232 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3		-	LCO 1 of 19
	3	+	LCO No. 3949 1 of 20
4	4
5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 1232
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1232
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 3949
	8	+
	9	+
	10	+	Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
	11	+	AND ELECTIONS
	12	+
	13	+
	14	+	Introduced by:
	15	+	(GAE)
7	16
8	17
9	18
10	19
11	20		AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE RISK -
12	21		LIMITING AUDITS WORKING GROUP.
13	22		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
14	23		Assembly convened:
15	24
16		-	Section 1. (Effective ~~from passage~~) (a) Not earlier than the fifteenth ~~day~~ 1
17		-	after any state election and not later than two business days before ~~the~~ 2
18		-	canvass of votes by the Secretary of the State, Treasurer and 3
	25	+	Section 1. (Effective January 1, 2026) (a) Not earlier than the fifteenth 1
	26	+	day after any state election and not later than two business days before 2
	27	+	the canvass of votes by the Secretary of the State, Treasurer and 3
19	28		Comptroller, commencing on a day designated by the Secretary, the 4
20	29		registrars of voters shall conduct a risk-limiting audit of such election. 5
21	30		Each such audit shall be noticed in advance and be open to public 6
22	31		observation. Any election official who participates in the administration 7
23	32		and conduct of an audit pursuant to this section shall be compensated 8
24	33		by the municipality at the standard rate of pay established by such 9
25	34		municipality for elections. 10
26	35		(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the 11
27	36		offices subject to a risk-limiting audit pursuant to this section shall be 12
28	37		(A) the office of presidential elector, if applicable, (B) all applicable state 13
29	38		offices, as defined in section 9-372 of the general statutes, (C) at least one 14
	39	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	40	+
	41	+
	42	+
	43	+	LCO No. 3949 2 of 20
	44	+
30	45		representative in Congress, selected in a random drawing by the 15
31	46		Secretary of the State, (D) at least five per cent, in the aggregate, of the 16
32	47		offices of state senator and state representative, selected in a random 17
33	48		drawing by the Secretary, and (E) any other office required to be audited 18
34		-	by federal law. Whenever an office is randomly selected by the Secretary 19 Substitute Bill No. 1232
35		-
36		-
37		-	LCO 2 of 19
38		-
	49	+	by federal law. Whenever an office is randomly selected by the Secretary 19
39	50		under this subsection, the selection process shall be open to the public. 20
40	51		(2) (A) If an office of representative in Congress is subject to recanvass 21
41	52		or an election contest pursuant to any provision of the general statutes, 22
42	53		the Secretary of the State shall ensure such office is included in the office 23
43	54		or offices selected under subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this 24
44	55		subsection. 25
45	56		(B) If an office of state senator or state representative is subject to 26
46	57		recanvass or an election contest pursuant to any provision of the general 27
47	58		statutes, the Secretary of the State shall ensure such office is included in 28
48	59		the offices selected under subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of this 29
49	60		subsection. 30
50	61		(c) Prior to the day designated by the Secretary of the State for the 31
51	62		commencement of the risk-limiting audit described in subsection (a) of 32
52	63		this section, the registrars of voters shall submit to the Secretary the 33
53	64		ballot manifests created under section 3 of this act. 34
54	65		(d) The risk-limiting audit described in subsection (a) of this section 35
55	66		shall be conducted in accordance with instructions and procedures 36
56		-	prescribed by the Secretary of the State not later than ~~March~~ 1, ~~2026~~, 37
	67	+	prescribed by the Secretary of the State not later than January 1, 2027, 37
57	68		which instructions and procedures shall be consistent across all offices 38
58	69		subject to such audit. The risk limit for each such audit shall be not more 39
59	70		than five per cent. The results of each audit conducted pursuant to this 40
60	71		section, including any such audit that produces an outcome of 41
61	72		"INCONCLUSIVE" as described in subsection (e) of this section, shall be 42
62	73		reported on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Secretary. Such 43
63	74		reported results shall be filed with the Secretary, who shall immediately 44
64	75		forward such reported results to The University of Connecticut for 45
	76	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	77	+
	78	+
	79	+
	80	+	LCO No. 3949 3 of 20
	81	+
65	82		analysis. The University of Connecticut shall submit to the Secretary a 46
66	83		written report regarding such analysis that describes any concerns 47
67	84		identified. After receipt of such written report, the Secretary shall 48
68	85		transmit a copy of such written report to the State Elections Enforcement 49
69	86		Commission. 50
70		-	(e) In the event a risk-limiting audit conducted pursuant to this 51 Substitute Bill No. 1232
71		-
72		-
73		-	LCO 3 of 19
74		-
	87	+	(e) In the event a risk-limiting audit conducted pursuant to this 51
75	88		section for a particular office produces an outcome of 52
76	89		"INCONCLUSIVE", the Secretary of the State shall order a manual 53
77	90		recount of all ballots cast for such office. 54
78	91		(f) If the written report submitted by The University of Connecticut 55
79	92		under subsection (d) of this section indicates that a voting tabulator 56
80	93		failed to record votes accurately and in the manner provided by title 9 57
81	94		of the general statutes, the Secretary of the State shall require that the 58
82	95		voting tabulator be examined and recertified by the Secretary or the 59
83	96		Secretary's designee. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to 60
84	97		prohibit the Secretary from requiring that a voting tabulator be 61
85	98		examined and recertified. 62
86	99		(g) The audit results reported to the Secretary of the State pursuant to 63
87	100		subsection (d) of this section shall be open to public inspection and may 64
88	101		be used as prima facie evidence of an irregularity in any contest arising 65
89	102		pursuant to chapter 149 of the general statutes or for any other cause of 66
90	103		action arising from such election. 67
91	104		(h) If the audit officials are unable to reconcile the results from an 68
92	105		audit described in subsection (a) of this section with the outcome of the 69
93	106		person declared elected by virtue of having received the greatest 70
94	107		number of votes, as determined by the paper ballots, the Secretary of the 71
95	108		State shall conduct such further investigation of the voting tabulator as 72
96	109		may be necessary for the purpose of reviewing whether or not to 73
97	110		decertify the voting tabulator or tabulators in question or to order the 74
98	111		voting tabulator to be examined and recertified in accordance with 75
99	112		subsection (f) of this section. Any report produced by the Secretary as a 76
	113	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	114	+
	115	+
	116	+
	117	+	LCO No. 3949 4 of 20
	118	+
100	119		result of such investigation shall be filed with the State Elections 77
101	120		Enforcement Commission, and the commission may initiate such 78
102	121		further investigation in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection 79
103	122		(a) of section 9-7b of the general statutes as may be required to 80
104	123		determine if any violations of the general statutes concerning election 81
105	124		law have been committed. 82
106		-	(i) The individual paper ballots used at an election shall be carefully 83 Substitute Bill No. 1232
107		-
108		-
109		-	LCO 4 of 19
110		-
	125	+	(i) The individual paper ballots used at an election shall be carefully 83
111	126		preserved and returned in their designated receptacle in accordance 84
112	127		with the requirements of section 9-266 or 9-310 of the general statutes, 85
113	128		as applicable. 86
114	129		(j) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any 87
115	130		candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to 88
116	131		chapter 149 of the general statutes. 89
117	132		(k) After a state election, any voting tabulator may be kept locked for 90
118	133		a period longer than that prescribed by sections 9-266, 9-310 and 9-447 91
119	134		of the general statutes, if such an extended period is ordered by a court 92
120	135		of competent jurisdiction, the Secretary of the State or the State Elections 93
121	136		Enforcement Commission. Such court or the Secretary of the State may 94
122	137		order an audit of such voting tabulator to be conducted by such persons 95
123	138		as the court or the Secretary may designate, provided the State Elections 96
124	139		Enforcement Commission may order such an audit where the particular 97
125	140		office in question is that of the Secretary of the State. If the machine 98
126	141		utilized in such election is an optical scan voting system, such order to 99
127	142		lock such machine shall include the tabulator, memory card and all 100
128	143		other components and processes utilized in the programming of such 101
129	144		machine. 102
130	145		(l) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance 103
131	146		with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, for the conduct 104
132	147		of risk-limiting audits described in subsection (a) of this section and to 105
133	148		establish guidelines for expanded audits when the results from such a 106
134	149		risk-limiting audit cannot be reconciled with the outcome of the person 107
	150	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	151	+
	152	+
	153	+
	154	+	LCO No. 3949 5 of 20
	155	+
135	156		declared elected by virtue of having received the greatest number of 108
136	157		votes, as determined by the paper ballots. 109
137	158		(m) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the 110
138	159		Secretary of the State shall have access to the code in any voting machine 111
139	160		whenever any problem is discovered as a result of an audit described in 112
140	161		subsection (a) of this section. 113
141		-	(n) As used in this section: 114 Substitute Bill No. 1232
142		-
143		-
144		-	LCO 5 of 19
145		-
	162	+	(n) As used in this section: 114
146	163		(1) "Risk-limiting audit" means a publicly verifiable auditing 115
147	164		procedure that (A) manually examines a statistical sample of paper 116
148	165		ballots that reflect the intents of the voters having cast such ballots, (B) 117
149	166		produces an outcome of either "ACCEPTABLE" or "INCONCLUSIVE", 118
150	167		and (C) guarantees a specified risk limit; 119
151	168		(2) "Risk limit" means the maximum probability that an audit would 120
152	169		produce an outcome of "ACCEPTABLE" when there is a disagreement 121
153	170		between the person declared elected and the person who received the 122
154	171		greatest number of votes as determined by the paper ballots; and 123
155	172		(3) "State election" has the same meaning as provided in section 9-1 124
156	173		of the general statutes. 125
157	174		Sec. 2. Section 9-320f of the general statutes is repealed and the 126
158	175		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 127
159	176		(a) (1) Not earlier than the fifteenth day after any federal or state 128
160	177		[election or] primary and not later than two business days before the 129
161	178		canvass of votes by the Secretary of the State, Treasurer and 130
162	179		Comptroller, and (2) not earlier than the fifth day after any municipal 131
163	180		election or primary and not later than two business days before the 132
164	181		canvass of votes by the town clerk, the registrars of voters shall conduct 133
165	182		a manual audit, or an electronic audit authorized under section 9-320g, 134
166	183		as amended by this act, of the votes recorded in not less than five per 135
167	184		cent of the voting districts in the state, district or municipality, 136
	185	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	186	+
	187	+
	188	+
	189	+	LCO No. 3949 6 of 20
	190	+
168	191		whichever is applicable. For the purposes of this section, any central 137
169	192		location used in a municipality for the counting of absentee ballots, early 138
170	193		voting ballots or same-day election registration ballots shall be deemed 139
171	194		a voting district. Such manual or electronic audit shall be noticed in 140
172	195		advance and be open to public observation. Any election official who 141
173	196		participates in the administration and conduct of an audit pursuant to 142
174	197		this section shall be compensated by the municipality at the standard 143
175	198		rate of pay established by such municipality for elections or primaries, 144
176	199		as the case may be. 145
177		-	(b) The voting districts subject to an audit described in subsection (a) 146 Substitute Bill No. 1232
178		-
179		-
180		-	LCO 6 of 19
181		-
	200	+	(b) The voting districts subject to an audit described in subsection (a) 146
182	201		of this section shall be selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of 147
183	202		the State and such selection process shall be open to the public. The 148
184	203		offices subject to an audit pursuant to this section shall be, (1) [in the 149
185	204		case of an election where the office of presidential elector is on the ballot, 150
186	205		all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional 151
187	206		office selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of the State, but in 152
188	207		no case less than three offices, (2) in the case of an election where the 153
189	208		office of Governor is on the ballot, all offices required to be audited by 154
190	209		federal law, plus one additional office selected in a random drawing by 155
191	210		the Secretary of the State, but in no case less than three offices, (3)] in the 156
192	211		case of a municipal election, three offices or twenty per cent of the 157
193	212		number of offices on the ballot, whichever is greater, selected at random 158
194	213		by the municipal clerk, and [(4)] (2) in the case of a primary, [election,] 159
195	214		all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional 160
196	215		office, if any, but in no event less than twenty per cent of the offices on 161
197	216		the ballot, selected in a random drawing by the municipal clerk. 162
198	217		(c) If a selected voting district has an office that is subject to recanvass 163
199	218		or an election or primary contest pursuant to any provision of the 164
200	219		general statutes, the Secretary of the State shall select an alternative 165
201	220		district, pursuant to the process described in subsection (b) of this 166
202	221		section. 167
203	222		(d) The manual or electronic audit described in subsection (a) of this 168
	223	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	224	+
	225	+
	226	+
	227	+	LCO No. 3949 7 of 20
	228	+
204	229		section shall consist of the manual or electronic tabulation of the paper 169
205	230		ballots cast and counted by each voting tabulator subject to such audit. 170
206	231		Once complete, the vote totals established pursuant to such manual or 171
207	232		electronic tabulation shall be compared to the results reported by the 172
208	233		voting tabulator on the day of the election or primary. The results of 173
209	234		such manual or electronic tabulation shall be reported on a form 174
210	235		prescribed by the Secretary of the State which shall include the total 175
211	236		number of ballots counted, the total votes received by each candidate in 176
212	237		question, the total votes received by each candidate in question on 177
213	238		ballots that were properly completed by each voter and the total votes 178
214	239		received by each candidate in question on ballots that were not properly 179
215		-	completed by each voter. Such [report] reported results shall be filed 180 Substitute Bill No. 1232
216		-
217		-
218		-	LCO 7 of 19
219		-
	240	+	completed by each voter. Such [report] reported results shall be filed 180
220	241		with the Secretary, [of the State] who shall immediately forward such 181
221	242		[report] reported results to The University of Connecticut for analysis. 182
222	243		The University of Connecticut shall [file] submit to the Secretary a 183
223	244		written report [with the Secretary of the State] regarding such analysis 184
224	245		that describes any discrepancies identified. After receipt of such written 185
225	246		report, the Secretary [of the State shall file such report with] shall 186
226	247		transmit a copy of such written report to the State Elections Enforcement 187
227	248		Commission. 188
228	249		(e) For the purposes of this section, a ballot that has not been properly 189
229	250		completed will be deemed to be a ballot on which (1) votes have been 190
230	251		marked by the voter outside the vote targets, (2) votes have been marked 191
231	252		by the voter using a manual marking device that cannot be read by the 192
232	253		voting tabulator, or (3) in the judgment of the registrars of voters, the 193
233	254		voter marked the ballot in such a manner that the voting tabulator may 194
234	255		not have read the marks as votes cast. 195
235	256		(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-311, the Secretary of 196
236	257		the State shall order a discrepancy recanvass of the returns of an election 197
237	258		or primary for any office if a discrepancy, as defined in subsection (o) of 198
238	259		this section, exists where the margin of victory in the race for such office 199
239	260		is less than the amount of the discrepancy multiplied by the total 200
240	261		number of voting districts where such race appeared on the ballot, 201
	262	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	263	+
	264	+
	265	+
	266	+	LCO No. 3949 8 of 20
	267	+
241	268		provided in a year in which the Secretary of the State is a candidate for 202
242	269		an office on the ballot and that office is subject to an audit as provided 203
243	270		by this section, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall order 204
244	271		a discrepancy recanvass if a discrepancy, as defined by subsection (o) of 205
245	272		this section, has occurred that could affect the outcome of the election or 206
246	273		primary for such office. 207
247	274		(g) If the written report submitted by The University of Connecticut 208
248	275		[report described in] under subsection (d) of this section indicates that a 209
249	276		voting tabulator failed to record votes accurately and in the manner 210
250	277		provided by [the general statutes] this title, the Secretary of the State 211
251	278		shall require that the voting tabulator be examined and recertified by 212
252		-	the Secretary [of the State,] or the Secretary's designee. Nothing in this 213 Substitute Bill No. 1232
253		-
254		-
255		-	LCO 8 of 19
256		-
	279	+	the Secretary [of the State,] or the Secretary's designee. Nothing in this 213
257	280		subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary [of the State] from 214
258	281		requiring that a voting tabulator be examined and recertified. 215
259	282		(h) The audit [report filed] results reported to the Secretary of the 216
260	283		State pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be open to public 217
261	284		inspection and may be used as prima facie evidence of a discrepancy in 218
262	285		any contest arising pursuant to chapter 149 or for any other cause of 219
263	286		action arising from such election or primary. 220
264	287		(i) If the audit officials are unable to reconcile the manual or electronic 221
265	288		count from an audit described in subsection (a) of this section with the 222
266	289		electronic vote tabulation and discrepancies from the election or 223
267	290		primary, the Secretary of the State shall conduct such further 224
268	291		investigation of the voting tabulator malfunction as may be necessary 225
269	292		for the purpose of reviewing whether or not to decertify the voting 226
270	293		tabulator or tabulators in question or to order the voting tabulator to be 227
271	294		examined and recertified [pursuant to] in accordance with subsection 228
272	295		(g) of this section. Any report produced by the Secretary [of the State] as 229
273	296		a result of such investigation shall be filed with the State Elections 230
274	297		Enforcement Commission and the commission may initiate such further 231
275	298		investigation in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of 232
276	299		section 9-7b as may be required to determine if any violations of the 233
	300	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	301	+
	302	+
	303	+
	304	+	LCO No. 3949 9 of 20
	305	+
277	306		general statutes concerning election law have been committed. 234
278	307		(j) The individual paper ballots used at an election or primary shall 235
279	308		be carefully preserved and returned in their designated receptacle in 236
280	309		accordance with the requirements of section 9-266 or 9-310, [whichever 237
281	310		is] as applicable. 238
282	311		(k) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any 239
283	312		candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to 240
284	313		chapter 149. 241
285	314		(l) After an election or primary described in subsection (a) of this 242
286	315		section, any voting tabulator may be kept locked for a period longer 243
287	316		than that prescribed by sections 9-266, 9-310 and 9-447, if such an 244
288		-	extended period is ordered by [either] a court of competent jurisdiction, 245 Substitute Bill No. 1232
289		-
290		-
291		-	LCO 9 of 19
292		-
	317	+	extended period is ordered by [either] a court of competent jurisdiction, 245
293	318		the Secretary of the State or the State Elections Enforcement 246
294	319		Commission. [Either the] Such court or the Secretary [of the State] may 247
295	320		order an audit of such voting tabulator to be conducted by such persons 248
296	321		as the court or the Secretary of the State may designate, provided the 249
297	322		State Elections Enforcement Commission may order such an audit 250
298	323		under the circumstances prescribed in subsection (f) of this section. If 251
299	324		the machine utilized in such election or primary is an optical scan voting 252
300	325		system, such order to lock such machine shall include the tabulator, 253
301	326		memory card and all other components and processes utilized in the 254
302	327		programming of such machine. 255
303	328		(m) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance 256
304	329		with the provisions of chapter 54, [as may be necessary] for the conduct 257
305	330		of the manual or electronic tabulation of the paper ballots described in 258
306	331		subsection (a) of this section and to establish guidelines for expanded 259
307	332		audits when there are differences between the manual or electronic 260
308	333		counts from the audit described in subsection (a) of this section and 261
309	334		tabulator counts from the election or primary. 262
310	335		(n) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the 263
311	336		Secretary of the State shall have access to the code in any voting machine 264
	337	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	338	+
	339	+
	340	+
	341	+	LCO No. 3949 10 of 20
	342	+
312	343		whenever any problem is discovered as a result of an audit described in 265
313	344		subsection (a) of this section. 266
314	345		(o) As used in this section: [, "discrepancy"] 267
315	346		(1) "Discrepancy" means any difference in vote totals between 268
316	347		tabulator counts from an election or primary and manual or electronic 269
317	348		counts from an audit described in subsection (a) of this section in a 270
318	349		voting district that exceeds one-half of one per cent of the lesser amount 271
319	350		of the vote totals between such tabulator counts and such manual or 272
320	351		electronic counts where such differences cannot be resolved through an 273
321	352		accounting of ballots that were not marked properly in accordance with 274
322	353		subsection (e) of this section; [, "state election" means "state election", as 275
323	354		defined in section 9-1, "municipal election"] 276
324		-	(2) "Municipal election" means a municipal election held pursuant to 277 Substitute Bill No. 1232
325		-
326		-
327		-	LCO 10 of 19
328		-
	355	+	(2) "Municipal election" means a municipal election held pursuant to 277
329	356		section 9-164; [, "manual"] 278
330	357		(3) "Manual" means by hand and without the assistance of electronic 279
331	358		equipment; and ["electronic"] 280
332	359		(4) "Electronic" means through the use of equipment described in 281
333	360		section 9-320g, as amended by this act. 282
334	361		Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2026) (a) Except in the case of a 283
335	362		recanvass subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, not 284
336	363		later than seventy-two hours after the close of the polls at each state 285
337	364		election, as defined in section 9-1 of the general statutes: 286
338	365		(1) The election officials in each polling place shall create a ballot 287
339	366		manifest for such polling place by manually verifying the number of 288
340	367		ballots cast that comprise the result publicly announced by the 289
341	368		moderator under section 9-309 of the general statutes and recording 290
342	369		such number on such ballot manifest, in accordance with procedures 291
343	370		prescribed by the Secretary of the State; and 292
344		-	(2) The absentee ballot counters, and the ballot counters for early 293
345		-	voting ballots and same-day election registration ballots, in each central 294
346		-	counting location shall create a ballot manifest for such central counting 295
347		-	location by manually verifying the number of ballots cast that comprise 296
348		-	the result publicly declared by the moderator under subsection (b) of 297
349		-	section 9-150b of the general statutes and recording such number on 298
350		-	such ballot manifest, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the 299
351		-	Secretary of the State. 300
352		-	(b) Not later than twenty-four hours after the completion of any 301
353		-	recanvass conducted at a state election in a voting district, the recanvass 302
354		-	officials shall create a ballot manifest for such district by manually 303
355		-	verifying the number of ballots cast that comprise the vote announced 304
356		-	by the moderator under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 9-311 305
357		-	of the general statutes and recording such number on such ballot 306
358		-	manifest, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of 307
359		-	the State. 308 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	371	+	(2) The absentee ballot counters in each central counting location shall 293
	372	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
360	373
361	374
362		-	LCO 11 of 19
363	375
364		-	(c) All ballot manifest creation procedures shall be open to public 309
365		-	observation. 310
366		-	(d) Immediately after a ballot manifest has been created pursuant to 311
367		-	this section, the moderator shall submit such ballot manifest to the 312
368		-	registrars of voters. 313
369		-	(e) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance 314
370		-	with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes, to carry out the 315
371		-	purposes of this section. 316
372		-	Sec. 4. Section 9-323 of the general statutes is repealed and the 317
373		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 318
374		-	Any elector or candidate who claims that he or she is aggrieved by 319
375		-	any ruling of any election official in connection with any election for 320
376		-	presidential electors and for a senator in Congress and for 321
377		-	representative in Congress or any of them, held in his or her town, or 322
378		-	that there was a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such election 323
379		-	for candidates for such electors, senator in Congress and representative 324
380		-	in Congress, or any of them, at any voting district in his or her town, or 325
381		-	any candidate for such an office who claims that he or she is aggrieved 326
382		-	by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 327
383		-	9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election, 328
384		-	may bring his or her complaint to any judge of the Supreme Court, in 329
385		-	which he or she shall set out the claimed errors of such election official, 330
386		-	the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of said sections. 331
387		-	In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the 332
388		-	complainant shall file a certification attached to the complaint indicating 333
389		-	that a copy of the complaint has been sent by first-class mail or delivered 334
390		-	to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is 335
391		-	made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to 336
392		-	render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing 337
393		-	to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections 338
394		-	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to the 339
395		-	election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after the election 340 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	376	+	LCO No. 3949 11 of 20
	377	+
	378	+	create a ballot manifest for such central counting location by manually 294
	379	+	verifying the number of ballots cast that comprise the result publicly 295
	380	+	declared by the moderator under subsection (b) of section 9-150b of the 296
	381	+	general statutes and recording such number on such ballot manifest, in 297
	382	+	accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of the State. 298
	383	+	(b) Not later than twenty-four hours after the completion of any 299
	384	+	recanvass conducted at a state election in a voting district, the recanvass 300
	385	+	officials shall create a ballot manifest for such district by manually 301
	386	+	verifying the number of ballots cast that comprise the vote announced 302
	387	+	by the moderator under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 9-311 303
	388	+	of the general statutes and recording such number on such ballot 304
	389	+	manifest, in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of 305
	390	+	the State. 306
	391	+	(c) All ballot manifest creation procedures shall be open to public 307
	392	+	observation. 308
	393	+	(d) Immediately after a ballot manifest has been created pursuant to 309
	394	+	this section, the moderator shall submit such ballot manifest to the 310
	395	+	registrars of voters. 311
	396	+	Sec. 4. Section 9-323 of the general statutes is repealed and the 312
	397	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 313
	398	+	Any elector or candidate who claims that he or she is aggrieved by 314
	399	+	any ruling of any election official in connection with any election for 315
	400	+	presidential electors and for a senator in Congress and for 316
	401	+	representative in Congress or any of them, held in his or her town, or 317
	402	+	that there was a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such election 318
	403	+	for candidates for such electors, senator in Congress and representative 319
	404	+	in Congress, or any of them, at any voting district in his or her town, or 320
	405	+	any candidate for such an office who claims that he or she is aggrieved 321
	406	+	by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 322
	407	+	9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election, 323
	408	+	may bring his or her complaint to any judge of the Supreme Court, in 324
	409	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
396	410
397	411
398		-	LCO 12 of 19
399	412
400		-	or, if such complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of 341
401		-	paper ballots authorized] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, 342
402		-	as amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, such complaint shall be 343
403		-	brought not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual 344
404		-	tabulation] audit, and in either such circumstance, the judge shall 345
405		-	forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day 346
406		-	not more than five or less than three days from the making of such order, 347
407		-	and shall cause notice of not less than three or more than five days to be 348
408		-	given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be affected by 349
409		-	the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, to the Secretary 350
410		-	of the State, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any 351
411		-	other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, 352
412		-	of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge, 353
413		-	with two other judges of the Supreme Court to be designated by the 354
414		-	Chief Court Administrator, shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and 355
415		-	without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient 356
416		-	reason is shown, such judges may order any voting tabulators to be 357
417		-	unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes 358
418		-	cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judges shall 359
419		-	thereupon, in the case they, or any two of them, find any error in the 360
420		-	rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count of such votes or 361
421		-	any violation of said sections, certify the result of their finding or 362
422		-	decision, or the finding or decision of a majority of them, to the Secretary 363
423		-	of the State before the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in 364
424		-	December. Such judges may order a new election or a change in the 365
425		-	existing election schedule, provided such order complies with Section 366
426		-	302 of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time 367
427		-	to time. Such certificate of such judges, or a majority of them, shall be 368
428		-	final upon all questions relating to the rulings of such election officials, 369
429		-	to the correctness of such count and, for the purposes of this section 370
430		-	only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of 371
431		-	the moderators or presiding officers so as to conform to such finding or 372
432		-	decision. 373
433		-	Sec. 5. Section 9-324 of the general statutes is repealed and the 374 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	413	+	LCO No. 3949 12 of 20
	414	+
	415	+	which he or she shall set out the claimed errors of such election official, 325
	416	+	the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of said sections. 326
	417	+	In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the 327
	418	+	complainant shall file a certification attached to the complaint indicating 328
	419	+	that a copy of the complaint has been sent by first-class mail or delivered 329
	420	+	to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is 330
	421	+	made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to 331
	422	+	render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing 332
	423	+	to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections 333
	424	+	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to the 334
	425	+	election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after the election 335
	426	+	or, if such complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of 336
	427	+	paper ballots authorized] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, 337
	428	+	as amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, such complaint shall be 338
	429	+	brought not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual 339
	430	+	tabulation] audit, and in either such circumstance, the judge shall 340
	431	+	forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day 341
	432	+	not more than five or less than three days from the making of such order, 342
	433	+	and shall cause notice of not less than three or more than five days to be 343
	434	+	given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be affected by 344
	435	+	the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, to the Secretary 345
	436	+	of the State, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any 346
	437	+	other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, 347
	438	+	of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge, 348
	439	+	with two other judges of the Supreme Court to be designated by the 349
	440	+	Chief Court Administrator, shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and 350
	441	+	without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient 351
	442	+	reason is shown, such judges may order any voting tabulators to be 352
	443	+	unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes 353
	444	+	cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judges shall 354
	445	+	thereupon, in the case they, or any two of them, find any error in the 355
	446	+	rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count of such votes or 356
	447	+	any violation of said sections, certify the result of their finding or 357
	448	+	decision, or the finding or decision of a majority of them, to the Secretary 358
	449	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
434	450
435	451
436		-	LCO 13 of 19
437	452
438		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 375
439		-	Any elector or candidate who claims that such elector or candidate is 376
440		-	aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with any 377
441		-	election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State 378
442		-	Treasurer, Attorney General, State Comptroller or judge of probate, held 379
443		-	in such elector's or candidate's town, or that there has been a mistake in 380
444		-	the count of the votes cast at such election for candidates for said offices 381
445		-	or any of them, at any voting district in such elector's or candidate's 382
446		-	town, or any candidate for such an office who claims that such candidate 383
447		-	is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-384
448		-	361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at 385
449		-	such election or any candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant 386
450		-	Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, Attorney General or 387
451		-	State Comptroller, who claims that such candidate is aggrieved by a 388
452		-	violation of any provision of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, may bring 389
453		-	such elector's or candidate's complaint to any judge of the Superior 390
454		-	Court, in which such elector or candidate shall set out the claimed errors 391
455		-	of such election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed 392
456		-	violations of said sections. In any action brought pursuant to the 393
457		-	provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the 394
458		-	complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, 395
459		-	to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is 396
460		-	made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to 397
461		-	render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing 398
462		-	to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections 399
463		-	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to the 400
464		-	election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after the election 401
465		-	or, if such complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of 402
466		-	paper ballots authorized] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, 403
467		-	as amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, such complaint shall be 404
468		-	brought not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual 405
469		-	tabulation] audit and, in either such circumstance, such judge shall 406
470		-	forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day 407
471		-	not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such 408 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	453	+	LCO No. 3949 13 of 20
	454	+
	455	+	of the State before the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in 359
	456	+	December. Such judges may order a new election or a change in the 360
	457	+	existing election schedule, provided such order complies with Section 361
	458	+	302 of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time 362
	459	+	to time. Such certificate of such judges, or a majority of them, shall be 363
	460	+	final upon all questions relating to the rulings of such election officials, 364
	461	+	to the correctness of such count and, for the purposes of this section 365
	462	+	only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of 366
	463	+	the moderators or presiding officers so as to conform to such finding or 367
	464	+	decision. 368
	465	+	Sec. 5. Section 9-324 of the general statutes is repealed and the 369
	466	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 370
	467	+	Any elector or candidate who claims that such elector or candidate is 371
	468	+	aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with any 372
	469	+	election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State 373
	470	+	Treasurer, Attorney General, State Comptroller or judge of probate, held 374
	471	+	in such elector's or candidate's town, or that there has been a mistake in 375
	472	+	the count of the votes cast at such election for candidates for said offices 376
	473	+	or any of them, at any voting district in such elector's or candidate's 377
	474	+	town, or any candidate for such an office who claims that such candidate 378
	475	+	is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-379
	476	+	361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at 380
	477	+	such election or any candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant 381
	478	+	Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, Attorney General or 382
	479	+	State Comptroller, who claims that such candidate is aggrieved by a 383
	480	+	violation of any provision of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, may bring 384
	481	+	such elector's or candidate's complaint to any judge of the Superior 385
	482	+	Court, in which such elector or candidate shall set out the claimed errors 386
	483	+	of such election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed 387
	484	+	violations of said sections. In any action brought pursuant to the 388
	485	+	provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the 389
	486	+	complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, 390
	487	+	to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is 391
	488	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
472	489
473	490
474		-	LCO 14 of 19
475	491
476		-	order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five 409
477		-	days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be 410
478		-	affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the 411
479		-	Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and 412
480		-	to any other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties 413
481		-	thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such 414
482		-	judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary 415
483		-	delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, such 416
484		-	judge may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot 417
485		-	boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee 418
486		-	ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon, in case such judge finds 419
487		-	any error in the rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count 420
488		-	of the votes or any violation of said sections, certify the result of such 421
489		-	judge's finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the 422
490		-	fifteenth day of the next succeeding December. Such judge may order a 423
491		-	new election or a change in the existing election schedule. Such 424
492		-	certificate of such judge of such judge's finding or decision shall be final 425
493		-	and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the rulings of 426
494		-	such election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the 427
495		-	purposes of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate 428
496		-	to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to 429
497		-	conform to such finding or decision, unless the same is appealed from 430
498		-	as provided in section 9-325. 431
499		-	Sec. 6. Section 9-328 of the general statutes is repealed and the 432
500		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 433
501		-	Any elector or candidate claiming to have been aggrieved by any 434
502		-	ruling of any election official in connection with an election for any 435
503		-	municipal office or a primary for justice of the peace, or any elector or 436
504		-	candidate claiming that there has been a mistake in the count of votes 437
505		-	cast for any such office at such election or primary, or any candidate in 438
506		-	such an election or primary claiming that he is aggrieved by a violation 439
507		-	of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a 440
508		-	or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election or primary, 441
509		-	may bring a complaint to any judge of the Superior Court for relief 442 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	492	+	LCO No. 3949 14 of 20
	493	+
	494	+	made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to 392
	495	+	render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing 393
	496	+	to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections 394
	497	+	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to the 395
	498	+	election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after the election 396
	499	+	or, if such complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of 397
	500	+	paper ballots authorized] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, 398
	501	+	as amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, such complaint shall be 399
	502	+	brought not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual 400
	503	+	tabulation] audit and, in either such circumstance, such judge shall 401
	504	+	forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day 402
	505	+	not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such 403
	506	+	order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five 404
	507	+	days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be 405
	508	+	affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the 406
	509	+	Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and 407
	510	+	to any other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties 408
	511	+	thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such 409
	512	+	judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary 410
	513	+	delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, such 411
	514	+	judge may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot 412
	515	+	boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee 413
	516	+	ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon, in case such judge finds 414
	517	+	any error in the rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count 415
	518	+	of the votes or any violation of said sections, certify the result of such 416
	519	+	judge's finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the 417
	520	+	fifteenth day of the next succeeding December. Such judge may order a 418
	521	+	new election or a change in the existing election schedule. Such 419
	522	+	certificate of such judge of such judge's finding or decision shall be final 420
	523	+	and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the rulings of 421
	524	+	such election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the 422
	525	+	purposes of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate 423
	526	+	to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to 424
	527	+	conform to such finding or decision, unless the same is appealed from 425
	528	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
510	529
511	530
512		-	LCO 15 of 19
513	531
514		-	therefrom. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this 443
515		-	section, the complainant shall send a copy of the complaint by first-class 444
516		-	mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, to the State Elections 445
517		-	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such 446
518		-	election or primary, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render 447
519		-	judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be 448
520		-	given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement 449
521		-	Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to such election or 450
522		-	primary, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after such 451
523		-	election or primary, except that if such complaint is brought in response 452
524		-	to [the manual tabulation of paper ballots, authorized] an audit 453
525		-	conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 454
526		-	1 of this act, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days 455
527		-	after the close of any such [manual tabulation] audit, to any judge of the 456
528		-	Superior Court, in which he shall set out the claimed errors of the 457
529		-	election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations 458
530		-	of said sections. Such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had 459
531		-	upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five nor less than three 460
532		-	days from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less 461
533		-	than three nor more than five days to be given to any candidate or 462
534		-	candidates whose election or nomination may be affected by the 463
535		-	decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the Secretary of the 464
536		-	State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other 465
537		-	party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the 466
538		-	time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge shall, 467
539		-	on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, 468
540		-	proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, he may order 469
541		-	any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened 470
542		-	and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. 471
543		-	Such judge shall thereupon, if he finds any error in the rulings of the 472
544		-	election official or any mistake in the count of the votes, certify the result 473
545		-	of his finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the tenth 474
546		-	day succeeding the conclusion of the hearing. Such judge may order a 475
547		-	new election or primary or a change in the existing election schedule. 476
548		-	Such certificate of such judge of his finding or decision shall be final and 477 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	532	+	LCO No. 3949 15 of 20
	533	+
	534	+	as provided in section 9-325. 426
	535	+	Sec. 6. Section 9-328 of the general statutes is repealed and the 427
	536	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 428
	537	+	Any elector or candidate claiming to have been aggrieved by any 429
	538	+	ruling of any election official in connection with an election for any 430
	539	+	municipal office or a primary for justice of the peace, or any elector or 431
	540	+	candidate claiming that there has been a mistake in the count of votes 432
	541	+	cast for any such office at such election or primary, or any candidate in 433
	542	+	such an election or primary claiming that he is aggrieved by a violation 434
	543	+	of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a 435
	544	+	or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election or primary, 436
	545	+	may bring a complaint to any judge of the Superior Court for relief 437
	546	+	therefrom. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this 438
	547	+	section, the complainant shall send a copy of the complaint by first-class 439
	548	+	mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, to the State Elections 440
	549	+	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such 441
	550	+	election or primary, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render 442
	551	+	judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be 443
	552	+	given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement 444
	553	+	Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to such election or 445
	554	+	primary, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after such 446
	555	+	election or primary, except that if such complaint is brought in response 447
	556	+	to [the manual tabulation of paper ballots, authorized] an audit 448
	557	+	conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 449
	558	+	1 of this act, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days 450
	559	+	after the close of any such [manual tabulation] audit, to any judge of the 451
	560	+	Superior Court, in which he shall set out the claimed errors of the 452
	561	+	election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations 453
	562	+	of said sections. Such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had 454
	563	+	upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five nor less than three 455
	564	+	days from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less 456
	565	+	than three nor more than five days to be given to any candidate or 457
	566	+	candidates whose election or nomination may be affected by the 458
	567	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
549	568
550	569
551		-	LCO 16 of 19
552	570
553		-	conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the ruling of such 478
554		-	election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes 479
555		-	of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct 480
556		-	the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to conform to 481
557		-	such finding or decision, except that this section shall not affect the right 482
558		-	of appeal to the Supreme Court and it shall not prevent such judge from 483
559		-	reserving such questions of law for the advice of the Supreme Court as 484
560		-	provided in section 9-325. Such judge may, if necessary, issue his writ of 485
561		-	mandamus, requiring the adverse party and those under him to deliver 486
562		-	to the complainant the appurtenances of such office, and shall cause his 487
563		-	finding and decree to be entered on the records of the Superior Court in 488
564		-	the proper judicial district. 489
565		-	Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 9-329a of the general statutes is 490
566		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 491
567		-	1, 2026): 492
568		-	(a) Any (1) elector or candidate aggrieved by a ruling of an election 493
569		-	official in connection with any primary held pursuant to (A) section 9-494
570		-	423, 9-425 or 9-464, or (B) a special act, (2) elector or candidate who 495
571		-	alleges that there has been a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such 496
572		-	primary, or (3) candidate in such a primary who alleges that he is 497
573		-	aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-498
574		-	361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at 499
575		-	such primary, may bring his complaint to any judge of the Superior 500
576		-	Court for appropriate action. In any action brought pursuant to the 501
577		-	provisions of this section, the complainant shall file a certification 502
578		-	attached to the complaint indicating that a copy of the complaint has 503
579		-	been sent by first-class mail or delivered to the State Elections 504
580		-	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such 505
581		-	primary such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on 506
582		-	the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the 507
583		-	Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. 508
584		-	If such complaint is made subsequent to such primary it shall be 509
585		-	brought, not later than fourteen days after such primary, or if such 510
586		-	complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of paper 511 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	571	+	LCO No. 3949 16 of 20
	572	+
	573	+	decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the Secretary of the 459
	574	+	State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other 460
	575	+	party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the 461
	576	+	time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge shall, 462
	577	+	on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, 463
	578	+	proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, he may order 464
	579	+	any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened 465
	580	+	and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. 466
	581	+	Such judge shall thereupon, if he finds any error in the rulings of the 467
	582	+	election official or any mistake in the count of the votes, certify the result 468
	583	+	of his finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the tenth 469
	584	+	day succeeding the conclusion of the hearing. Such judge may order a 470
	585	+	new election or primary or a change in the existing election schedule. 471
	586	+	Such certificate of such judge of his finding or decision shall be final and 472
	587	+	conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the ruling of such 473
	588	+	election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes 474
	589	+	of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct 475
	590	+	the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to conform to 476
	591	+	such finding or decision, except that this section shall not affect the right 477
	592	+	of appeal to the Supreme Court and it shall not prevent such judge from 478
	593	+	reserving such questions of law for the advice of the Supreme Court as 479
	594	+	provided in section 9-325. Such judge may, if necessary, issue his writ of 480
	595	+	mandamus, requiring the adverse party and those under him to deliver 481
	596	+	to the complainant the appurtenances of such office, and shall cause his 482
	597	+	finding and decree to be entered on the records of the Superior Court in 483
	598	+	the proper judicial district. 484
	599	+	Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 9-329a of the general statutes is 485
	600	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 486
	601	+	1, 2026): 487
	602	+	(a) Any (1) elector or candidate aggrieved by a ruling of an election 488
	603	+	official in connection with any primary held pursuant to (A) section 9-489
	604	+	423, 9-425 or 9-464, or (B) a special act, (2) elector or candidate who 490
	605	+	alleges that there has been a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such 491
	606	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
587	607
588	608
589		-	LCO 17 of 19
590	609
591		-	ballots, described in] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as 512
592		-	amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, such complaint shall be 513
593		-	brought, not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual 514
594		-	tabulation] audit, to any judge of the Superior Court. 515
595		-	Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 9-3 of the general statutes is repealed 516
596		-	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 517
597		-	(b) During any municipal, state or federal election, primary or 518
598		-	recanvass, or any audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as 519
599		-	amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, the Secretary of the State 520
600		-	may issue an order, whether orally or in writing, to any registrar of 521
601		-	voters or moderator to correct any irregularity or impropriety in the 522
602		-	conduct of such election, primary or recanvass or audit. Any such order 523
603		-	shall be effective upon issuance. As soon as practicable after issuance of 524
604		-	an oral order pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall reduce such 525
605		-	order to writing, cite within such order any applicable provision of law 526
606		-	authorizing such order and cause a copy of such written order to be 527
607		-	delivered to the individual who is the subject of such order or, in the 528
608		-	case that such order was originally issued in writing, issue a subsequent 529
609		-	written order that conforms to such requirements. The Superior Court, 530
610		-	on application of the Secretary or the Attorney General, may enforce by 531
611		-	appropriate decree or process any such order issued pursuant to this 532
612		-	subsection. 533
613		-	Sec. 9. Subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 9-229 of the general 534
614		-	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 535
615		-	(Effective January 1, 2026): 536
616		-	(3) The duties of each regional election advisor shall include, but not 537
617		-	be limited to: (A) Holding the instructional sessions described in 538
618		-	subdivision (2) of this subsection; (B) communicating with registrars of 539
619		-	voters to assist, to the extent permitted under law, in preparations for 540
620		-	and operations of any election, primary or recanvass, or any audit 541
621		-	conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 542
622		-	1 of this act; and (C) transmitting any order issued by the Secretary of 543 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	610	+	LCO No. 3949 17 of 20
	611	+
	612	+	primary, or (3) candidate in such a primary who alleges that he is 492
	613	+	aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-493
	614	+	361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at 494
	615	+	such primary, may bring his complaint to any judge of the Superior 495
	616	+	Court for appropriate action. In any action brought pursuant to the 496
	617	+	provisions of this section, the complainant shall file a certification 497
	618	+	attached to the complaint indicating that a copy of the complaint has 498
	619	+	been sent by first-class mail or delivered to the State Elections 499
	620	+	Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such 500
	621	+	primary such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on 501
	622	+	the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the 502
	623	+	Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. 503
	624	+	If such complaint is made subsequent to such primary it shall be 504
	625	+	brought, not later than fourteen days after such primary, or if such 505
	626	+	complaint is brought in response to [the manual tabulation of paper 506
	627	+	ballots, described in] an audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as 507
	628	+	amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, such complaint shall be 508
	629	+	brought, not later than seven days after the close of any such [manual 509
	630	+	tabulation] audit, to any judge of the Superior Court. 510
	631	+	Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 9-3 of the general statutes is repealed 511
	632	+	and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 512
	633	+	(b) During any municipal, state or federal election, primary or 513
	634	+	recanvass, or any audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as 514
	635	+	amended by this act, or section 1 of this act, the Secretary of the State 515
	636	+	may issue an order, whether orally or in writing, to any registrar of 516
	637	+	voters or moderator to correct any irregularity or impropriety in the 517
	638	+	conduct of such election, primary or recanvass or audit. Any such order 518
	639	+	shall be effective upon issuance. As soon as practicable after issuance of 519
	640	+	an oral order pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall reduce such 520
	641	+	order to writing, cite within such order any applicable provision of law 521
	642	+	authorizing such order and cause a copy of such written order to be 522
	643	+	delivered to the individual who is the subject of such order or, in the 523
	644	+	case that such order was originally issued in writing, issue a subsequent 524
	645	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
623	646
624	647
625		-	LCO 18 of 19
626	648
627		-	the State, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-3, as amended by this 544
628		-	act. 545
629		-	Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 9-229b of the general statutes is 546
630		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 547
631		-	1, 2026): 548
632		-	(a) Any regional council of governments organized under the 549
633		-	provisions of sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive, may appoint a regional 550
634		-	election advisor, who shall represent, consult with and act on behalf of 551
635		-	such regional council of governments and any combination of regional 552
636		-	councils of governments or member towns of regional councils of 553
637		-	governments that may seek the assistance of such regional election 554
638		-	advisor. A regional election advisor shall consult and coordinate with 555
639		-	the Secretary of the State to provide such assistance in preparations for 556
640		-	and operations of any election, primary or recanvass, or any audit 557
641		-	conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 558
642		-	1 of this act. 559
643		-	Sec. 11. Section 9-320g of the general statutes is repealed and the 560
644		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 561
645		-	Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the Secretary of the State, 562
646		-	in consultation and coordination with The University of Connecticut, 563
647		-	may authorize the use of electronic equipment for the purpose of 564
648		-	conducting any audit required pursuant to section 9-320f, [for any 565
649		-	primary or general election held on or after January 1, 2016] as amended 566
650		-	by this act, or section 1 of this act, provided (1) the Secretary of the State 567
651		-	prescribes specifications for (A) the testing, set-up and operation of such 568
652		-	equipment, and (B) the training of election officials in the use of such 569
653		-	equipment; and (2) the Secretary of the State and The University of 570
654		-	Connecticut agree that such equipment is sufficient in quantity to 571
655		-	accommodate the total number of audits to be conducted. Nothing in 572
656		-	this section shall preclude any candidate or elector from seeking 573
657		-	additional remedies pursuant to chapter 149 as a result of any 574
658		-	information revealed by such process. 575 Substitute Bill No. 1232
	649	+	LCO No. 3949 18 of 20
	650	+
	651	+	written order that conforms to such requirements. The Superior Court, 525
	652	+	on application of the Secretary or the Attorney General, may enforce by 526
	653	+	appropriate decree or process any such order issued pursuant to this 527
	654	+	subsection. 528
	655	+	Sec. 9. Subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 9-229 of the general 529
	656	+	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 530
	657	+	(Effective January 1, 2026): 531
	658	+	(3) The duties of each regional election advisor shall include, but not 532
	659	+	be limited to: (A) Holding the instructional sessions described in 533
	660	+	subdivision (2) of this subsection; (B) communicating with registrars of 534
	661	+	voters to assist, to the extent permitted under law, in preparations for 535
	662	+	and operations of any election, primary or recanvass, or any audit 536
	663	+	conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 537
	664	+	1 of this act; and (C) transmitting any order issued by the Secretary of 538
	665	+	the State, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-3, as amended by this 539
	666	+	act. 540
	667	+	Sec. 10. Subsection (a) of section 9-229b of the general statutes is 541
	668	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 542
	669	+	1, 2026): 543
	670	+	(a) Any regional council of governments organized under the 544
	671	+	provisions of sections 4-124i to 4-124p, inclusive, may appoint a regional 545
	672	+	election advisor, who shall represent, consult with and act on behalf of 546
	673	+	such regional council of governments and any combination of regional 547
	674	+	councils of governments or member towns of regional councils of 548
	675	+	governments that may seek the assistance of such regional election 549
	676	+	advisor. A regional election advisor shall consult and coordinate with 550
	677	+	the Secretary of the State to provide such assistance in preparations for 551
	678	+	and operations of any election, primary or recanvass, or any audit 552
	679	+	conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, as amended by this act, or section 553
	680	+	1 of this act. 554
	681	+	Sec. 11. Section 9-320g of the general statutes is repealed and the 555
	682	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
659	683
660	684
661		-	LCO 19 of 19
662	685
663		-	Sec. 12. (Effective July 1, 2025) The Secretary of the State shall establish 576
664		-	a pilot program for the conduct of risk-limiting audits at municipal 577
665		-	elections in 2025. The Secretary shall randomly select three 578
666		-	municipalities for participation in such pilot program, provided the 579
667		-	Secretary shall select: (1) One municipality with a population of less 580
668		-	than twenty thousand; (2) one municipality with a population of twenty 581
669		-	thousand or greater, but less than ninety thousand; and (3) one 582
670		-	municipality with a population of ninety thousand or greater. For the 583
671		-	purposes of this section, "risk-limiting audit" has the same meaning as 584
672		-	provided in section 1 of this act and "population" means the estimated 585
673		-	number of people according to the most recent version of the State 586
674		-	Register and Manual prepared pursuant to section 3-90 of the general 587
675		-	statutes. 588
	686	+	LCO No. 3949 19 of 20
	687	+
	688	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 556
	689	+	Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the Secretary of the State, 557
	690	+	in consultation and coordination with The University of Connecticut, 558
	691	+	may authorize the use of electronic equipment for the purpose of 559
	692	+	conducting any audit required pursuant to section 9-320f, [for any 560
	693	+	primary or general election held on or after January 1, 2016] as amended 561
	694	+	by this act, or section 1 of this act, provided (1) the Secretary of the State 562
	695	+	prescribes specifications for (A) the testing, set-up and operation of such 563
	696	+	equipment, and (B) the training of election officials in the use of such 564
	697	+	equipment; and (2) the Secretary of the State and The University of 565
	698	+	Connecticut agree that such equipment is sufficient in quantity to 566
	699	+	accommodate the total number of audits to be conducted. Nothing in 567
	700	+	this section shall preclude any candidate or elector from seeking 568
	701	+	additional remedies pursuant to chapter 149 as a result of any 569
	702	+	information revealed by such process. 570
	703	+	Sec. 12. (Effective July 1, 2025) The Secretary of the State shall establish 571
	704	+	a pilot program for the conduct of risk-limiting audits at municipal 572
	705	+	elections in 2025. The Secretary shall randomly select three 573
	706	+	municipalities for participation in such pilot program, provided the 574
	707	+	Secretary shall select: (1) One municipality with a population of less 575
	708	+	than twenty thousand; (2) one municipality with a population of twenty 576
	709	+	thousand or greater, but less than ninety thousand; and (3) one 577
	710	+	municipality with a population of ninety thousand or greater. For the 578
	711	+	purposes of this section, "population" means the estimated number of 579
	712	+	people according to the most recent version of the State Register and 580
	713	+	Manual prepared pursuant to section 3-90 of the general statutes. 581
676	714		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
677	715		sections:
678	716
679		-	Section 1 ~~from passage~~ New section
	717	+	Section 1 January 1, 2026 New section
680	718		Sec. 2 January 1, 2026 9-320f
681	719		Sec. 3 January 1, 2026 New section
682	720		Sec. 4 January 1, 2026 9-323
	721	+	Raised Bill No. 1232
	722	+
	723	+
	724	+
	725	+	LCO No. 3949 20 of 20
	726	+
683	727		Sec. 5 January 1, 2026 9-324
684	728		Sec. 6 January 1, 2026 9-328
685	729		Sec. 7 January 1, 2026 9-329a(a)
686	730		Sec. 8 January 1, 2026 9-3(b)
687	731		Sec. 9 January 1, 2026 9-229(b)(3)
688	732		Sec. 10 January 1, 2026 9-229b(a)
689	733		Sec. 11 January 1, 2026 9-320g
690	734		Sec. 12 July 1, 2025 New section
691	735
692		-	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
693		-	In Section 12, "risk-limiting audit" was defined for clarity.
	736	+	Statement of Purpose:
	737	+	To implement the recommendations of the risk-limiting audits working
	738	+	group.
694	739
695		-
696		-
697		-	~~GAE Joint Favorable Subst.~~
	740	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	741	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	742	+	underlined.]
698	743