Researcher: MHF Page 1 4/14/25
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 1514
AN ACT CONCERNING CURBSIDE VOTING ACCESSIBILITY FOR
ELECTORS WITH DISABILITIES OR OTHER INCAPACITIES.
SUMMARY
This bill makes several changes to the curbside voting law, including
adding several prohibitions related to using curbside voting. It also
makes conforming changes.
Under current law, if a voter cannot access his or her polling place
due to a temporary incapacity, the registrars of voters or the assistant
registrars of voters must take a ballot out to the voter. After showing
any required identification, the voter may mark their ballot and return
it to the registrars to be cast. The bill (1) eliminates the requirement that
the voter’s incapacity be temporary in order to use curbside voting and
(2) requires the registrars of voters to designate a specific area for
curbside voting to occur.
Separately, the bill prohibits any person within a marked radius of 20
feet of an elector being brought a ballot curbside from (1) soliciting on
behalf of or in opposition to any candidate or any question on the ballot
or (2) loitering, peddling, or offering any advertising matter, ballot, or
circular. (Unlike a similar exemption for conducting these activities 75
feet from a polling place entrance, the bill does not specify how this
radius should be marked. Further, in practice, this radius would change
depending on how many voters are using curbside voting (e.g., no
voters, one voter, or multiple voters) or where the voters position
themselves within the designated area.)
Additionally, no person may be in a vehicle being used by a person
casting a ballot in the designated area unless they are casting a vote or
driving the voter. Further, a candidate may never be in the vehicle
unless he or she is casting his or her own vote. 2025SB-01514-R000672-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MHF Page 2 4/14/25
The bill requires the secretary of the state to adopt any regulations
she deems necessary to implement these provisions. She must include a
model plan that municipalities may adopt.
A violation of these provisions, including the removal or injury to any
marker the bill requires, is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to
three months in prison, up to a $500 fine, or both.
As with similar prohibitions under state law, these provisions do not
prohibit (1) certain school-connected organizations from holding bake
sales or other fundraising activities on election day other than where the
election booths are located in a school, (2) election officials from
distributing “I Voted Today” stickers, or (3) registrars from jointly
permitting nonpartisan activities in a room other than where the
election booths are located.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2026
BACKGROUND
Related Bill
sSB 1516, favorably reported by the Government Administration and
Elections Committee, makes identical changes.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/26/2025)