Connecticut Election Code

Chapter 141 – General Provisions

TITLE 9 – ELECTIONS

CHAPTER 141 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 9-1. Definitions. Except as otherwise provided, the following terms, as used in this title and sections 3-124, 7-5, 7-6, 7-7, 7-17, 7-20, 7-39, 7-157, 7-214, 7-275, 7-295, 7-343, 7-407, 8-1, 8-5, 8-19, 10-219, 11-36, 13a-11, 30-10, 30-11, 45a-18, 45a-19 and 51-95 have the following meanings:

(a) “Ballot” means paper or other material containing the names of the candidates or a statement of a proposed constitutional amendment or other question or proposition to be voted on;

(b) “Board for admission of electors” means the board as composed under subsection (a) of section 9-15a;

(c) “Clerical error” means any error in the registry list or enrollment list due to a mistake or an omission on the part of the printer or a mistake or omission made by the registrars or their assistants;

(d) “Election” means any electors’ meeting at which the electors choose public officials by use of voting tabulators or by paper ballots as provided in section 9-272;

(e) “Elector” means any person possessing the qualifications prescribed by the Constitution and duly admitted to, and entitled to exercise, the privileges of an elector in a town;

(f) Repealed by P.A. 77-298, S. 14;

(g) “Municipal clerk” means the clerk of a municipality;

(h) “Municipal election” means the regularly recurring election held in a municipality at which the electors of the municipality choose public officials of such municipality;

(i) “Municipality” means any city, borough or town within the state;

(j) “Official ballot” means the official ballot to be used at an election, or the official ballot to be used thereat in accordance with the provisions of section 9-272;

(k) “Population” means the population according to the last-completed United States census;

(l) “Presidential electors” means persons elected to cast their ballots for President and Vice President of the United States;

(m) “Print” means methods of duplication of words by mechanical process, but shall not include typewriting;

(n) “Referendum” means (1) a question or proposal which is submitted to a vote of the electors or voters of a municipality at any regular or special state or municipal election, as defined in this section, (2) a question or proposal which is submitted to a vote of the electors or voters, as the case may be, of a municipality at a meeting of such electors or voters, which meeting is not an election, as defined in subsection (d) of this section, and is not a town meeting, or (3) a question or proposal which is submitted to a vote of the electors or voters, as the case may be, of a municipality at a meeting of such electors or voters pursuant to section 7-7 or pursuant to charter or special act;

(o) “Regular election” means any state or municipal election;

(p) “Registrars” means the registrars of voters of the municipality;

(q) “Registry list” means the list of electors of any municipality certified by the registrars;

(r) “Special election” means any election not a regular election;

(s) “State election” means the election held in the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the even-numbered years in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Connecticut;

(t) “State officers” means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General;

(u) “Voter” means a person qualified to vote at town and district meetings under the provisions of section 7-6;

(v) “Voting district” means any municipality, or any political subdivision thereof, having not more than one polling place in a regular election;

(w) “Voting tabulator” means a machine, including, but not limited to, a device which operates by electronic means, for the registering and recording of votes cast at elections, primaries and referenda;

(x) “Write-in ballot” means a vote cast for any person whose name does not appear on the official ballot as a candidate for the office for which the person’s name is written in;

(y) “The last session for admission of electors prior to an election” means the day which is the seventh day prior to an election.

Sec. 9-1a. “Municipal clerk” defined. As used in this title, “municipal clerk” or “clerk of the municipality” means the town clerk in or for the municipality to which reference is made, unless otherwise provided by charter or special act.

Sec. 9-1b. “Tabulator” substituted for “machine”. “Ballot” substituted for “ballot label”. On and after May 24, 2011, (1) “tabulator” shall be substituted for “machine” and “tabulators” shall be substituted for “machines”, and (2) “ballot” shall be substituted for “ballot label” and “ballots” shall be substituted for “ballot labels” in the following sections of the general statutes: 2-18, 7-171, 7-292, 7-295, 7-304, 7-328c, 7-344, 7-407, 9-4, 9-7b, 9-135b, 9-150a, 9-150b, 9-150d, 9-168a, 9-188, 9-229, 9-234, 9-235d, 9-236a, 9-239, 9-240, 9-247a, 9-250a, 9-251, 9-256, 9-267, 9-308, 9-311a, 9-323, 9-324, 9-328, 9-329a, 9-329b, 9-330, 9-332, 9-353, 9-354, 9-363, 9-366, 9-369d, 9-371b, 9-372, 9-400, 9-426, 9-428, 9-434, 9-440, 9-446, 9-453d, 9-476, 10-45, 10-51, 10-63n, 11-36 and 13a-11.

Sec. 9-2. Calculation of period of time. In this title and the sections listed in section 9-1, when a period of time is prescribed for the doing of any act, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays shall be included in computing such period, except that, if the last day of such period is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, such day shall not be counted, and the last day shall be the day following such Saturday, Sunday or holiday.

Sec. 9-2a. Notice and warning requirements. (a) Whenever in this title newspaper publication of any notice or warning is required to be given by a municipal clerk, it may be given by an assistant clerk.

(b) Any provision of any special act contrary to the notice or warning requirements of this title is repealed.

Sec. 9-3. Secretary to be Commissioner of Elections. Presumption re rulings, instructions, opinions and orders. Order to correct irregularity or impropriety. (a) The Secretary of the State, by virtue of the office, shall be the Commissioner of Elections of the state, with such powers and duties relating to the conduct of elections as are prescribed by law and, unless otherwise provided by state statute, the Secretary’s regulations, declaratory rulings, instructions and opinions, if in written form, and any order issued under subsection (b) of this section, shall be presumed as correctly interpreting and effectuating the administration of elections and primaries under this title, except for chapters 155 to 158, inclusive, and shall be executed, carried out or implemented, as the case may be, provided nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the right of appeal provided under the provisions of chapter 54. Any such written instruction or opinion shall be labeled as an instruction or opinion issued pursuant to this section, as applicable, and any such instruction or opinion shall cite any authority that is discussed in such instruction or opinion.

(b) During any municipal, state or federal election, primary or recanvass, or any audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f, the Secretary of the State may issue an order, whether orally or in writing, to any registrar of voters or moderator to correct any irregularity or impropriety in the conduct of such election, primary or recanvass or audit. Any such order shall be effective upon issuance. As soon as practicable after issuance of an oral order pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall reduce such order to writing, cite within such order any applicable provision of law authorizing such order and cause a copy of such written order to be delivered to the individual who is the subject of such order or, in the case that such order was originally issued in writing, issue a subsequent written order that conforms to such requirements. The Superior Court, on application of the Secretary or the Attorney General, may enforce by appropriate decree or process any such order issued pursuant to this subsection.

Sec. 9-4. Duties of secretary. The Secretary of the State, in addition to other duties imposed by law, shall, as such commissioner, (1) advise local election officials in connection with proper methods of conducting elections and referenda as defined in subsection (n) of section 9-1, and, upon request of a municipal official, matters arising under chapter 99; (2) prepare regulations and instructions for the conduct of elections, as designated by law; (3) provide local election officials with a sufficient number of copies of election laws pamphlets and materials necessary to the conduct of elections; (4) distribute all materials concerning proposed laws or amendments required by law to be submitted to the electors; (5) recommend to local election officials the form of registration cards and blanks; (6) determine, in the manner provided by law, the forms for the preparation of voting tabulators, for the recording of the vote and the conduct of the election and certification of election returns; (7) prepare the ballot title or statement to be placed on the ballot for any proposed law or amendment to the Constitution to be submitted to the electors of the state; (8) certify to the several boards the form of official ballots for state and municipal offices; (9) provide the form and manner of filing notification of vacancies, nomination and subsequent appointment to fill such vacancies; (10) prescribe, provide and distribute absentee voting forms for use by the municipal clerks; (11) examine and approve nominating petitions filed under section 9-453o; and (12) distribute corrupt practices forms and provide instructions for completing and filing the same.

Sec. 9-4a. Voter guide for state elections. (a) Not later than October first in each year in which a state election, as defined in section 9-1, is to be held, the Secretary of the State, in consultation with the State Elections Enforcement Commission and within available appropriations, shall prepare a voter guide for such state election and shall publish such voter guide on the Internet.

(b) The voter guide shall contain:

(1) The date of the state election and the hours the polls will be open;

(2) The name, party affiliation and contact information of each candidate who is nominated or qualifies as a petitioning candidate for election to the office of President of the United States, Vice-President of the United States, senator in Congress, representative in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative at the state election. As used in this section, “contact information” means any or all of the following information received by the Secretary of the State in the course of the secretary’s elections duties or by the Federal Election Commission: A candidate’s campaign mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address and web site. The voter guide may provide contact information for a candidate for the office of President of the United States, Vice-President of the United States, senator in Congress or representative in Congress by an electronic link to such information on the Federal Election Commission’s web site;

(3) The following three maps produced pursuant to the most recent decennial reapportionment of General Assembly and Connecticut congressional districts: One map showing the boundaries of state senatorial districts, one map showing the boundaries of state house of representatives districts and one map showing the boundaries of state congressional districts;

(4) A description of each office to be filled at the state election;

(5) An absentee ballot application in printable format;

(6) Instructions regarding voting by absentee ballot;

(7) Information on the procedure for registering to vote;

(8) A voter registration application in printable format;

(9) The full text of each proposed constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot at the state election;

(10) The explanatory text as to the content and purpose of each such proposed constitutional amendment, which is prepared by the Office of Legislative Research pursuant to section 2-30a; and

(11) The text of the Voter’s Bill of Rights set forth in section 9-236b.

(c) The Secretary of the State, in consultation with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section. Such regulations shall not authorize the inclusion of any information in the voter guide in addition to that required in subsection (b) of this section.

Sec. 9-4b. Elections training unit. The Secretary of the State shall establish an elections training unit to coordinate all training for registrars of voters, deputy registrars of voters and poll workers. Such unit shall employ at least one person having field experience in the conduct of elections.

Sec. 9-5. Copies of instructional materials for moderators. At least one week prior to each state or municipal election, the Secretary of the State shall send to the registrars of voters of each municipality in which such election is to be held a copy of such instructional materials as the secretary deems necessary for use by the moderator in each voting district. At the time when the moderator or moderators are appointed, such registrars shall give to each such moderator such materials as they have received from the secretary.

Sec. 9-5a. Towns to supply registrars with office space and supplies. Records. Each town shall provide the registrars of voters with office space, supplies and equipment, including facilities for the safe storage of the official records of such registrars. Such records shall be accessible to all registrars of voters in such town and they shall be jointly responsible for their safekeeping.

Sec. 9-5b. Retention of records by registrars. When the registrars of voters are required by law to maintain, have on file or retain any document, record, list or other paper, the same shall be kept in their office or, if they do not have a permanent office, in the office space provided under section 9-5a.

Sec. 9-6. Conferences of municipal clerks, registrars and Secretary. Each registrar of voters or, in the absence of a registrar, the deputy registrar of voters, and each municipal clerk or, in the absence of a municipal clerk, one of the assistant municipal clerks shall be compensated by the municipality which the clerk represents, as provided for in this section, for attending two conferences a year for town clerks and registrars of voters which may be called by the Secretary of the State for the purpose of discussing the election laws, procedures or matters related thereto. Each such official shall be compensated by the municipality at the rate of thirty-five dollars per day for attending each such conference, plus mileage to and from such conference at a rate per mile determined by the municipality, but not less than twenty cents per mile, computed from the office of such official or, if he has no office, from his home to the place where such conference is being held.

Sec. 9-6a. Conference for voting machine examiners. Section 9-6a is repealed, effective May 24, 2011.

Sec. 9-6b. Assistance to blind persons in the signing of petitions. (a) Any provision of the general statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, a circulator of any petition shall, without subjecting himself to the penalties of false statement, accept the signature of an authorized agent, in the form and manner provided for in this section, who signs a petition which is authorized pursuant to any provision of the general statutes or any special act on behalf of a blind person, provided there is compliance with the procedures prescribed in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Any person who is blind, as defined in section 1-1f, may cause his name to be affixed to a petition which is authorized pursuant to any provision of the general statutes, or any special act, provided an authorized agent reads aloud the full text of the petition in the presence of the circulator, and the blind person consents to having his name appear thereon. In the event a blind person is unable to write, his authorized agent may write the name of such blind person followed by the word “by” and his own signature. Any provision of the general statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, no authorized agent who complies with the provisions of this subsection shall be prosecuted or subjected to criminal liability. No circulator shall act as an authorized agent.

Sec. 9-6c. Agreements between municipalities re performance of functions. (a) Two or more municipalities may jointly perform any function that each municipality is required to perform individually under this title by entering into an agreement pursuant to this section. Any such agreement shall be negotiated and shall contain all provisions upon which each participating municipality agrees. Any such agreement shall establish a process for amendment of, termination of and withdrawal from such agreement. Any proposed agreement shall be submitted to the legislative body of each participating municipality for a vote to ratify or reject such agreement. The legislative body of each participating municipality shall provide an opportunity for public comment prior to any such vote. For purposes of this section, providing an opportunity for public comment does not require a legislative body to conduct a public hearing.

(b) For any municipality in which the legislative body is the town meeting, such legislative body may, by resolution, vote to delegate its authority to ratify or reject a proposed agreement to the board of selectmen, provided such board of selectmen provides an opportunity for public comment in accordance with this section.

(c) A copy of any such agreement entered into by two or more municipalities pursuant to this section shall be filed with the municipal clerk of each participating municipality and the Secretary of the State not later than seven days after the legislative body of the last participating municipality to ratify such agreement so ratifies such agreement.

Sec. 9-7. Charter provisions not affected. No provision of this title or the sections listed in section 9-1 shall be construed to repeal any charter provision in existence on May 14, 1953, relative to the election, term of office or powers or duties of any municipal officer or to the manner of warning or conducting any municipal meeting or any election, but the powers and duties of such officers shall remain as provided in such charter.

Sec. 9-7a. (Formerly Sec. 9-368a). State Elections Enforcement Commission. Reports. Political activity of members. Written complaints and statements. (a) There is established a State Elections Enforcement Commission to consist of five members, not more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party and at least one of whom shall not be affiliated with any political party.

(1) Of the members first appointed under this subsection, one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives and shall hold office for a term of one year from July 1, 1974; one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate and shall hold office for a term of three years from said July first; one shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and shall hold office for a term of one year from said July first; one shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and shall hold office for a term of three years from said July first and one shall be appointed by the Governor, provided such member shall not be affiliated with any political party, and shall hold office for a term of five years from said July first, except members appointed on or after July 1, 2011.

(2) On and after July 1, 2011, members shall be appointed for terms of three years from July first in the year of their appointment and shall be appointed by the person holding the same office as was held by the person making the original appointment, provided any person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the member whom he or she shall succeed. On and after July 1, 2011, no member may serve more than two consecutive terms, except that any member serving on said date, may serve until a successor is appointed and has qualified. All appointments shall be made with the consent of the state Senate and House of Representatives. No person who has served during any part of the three-year period prior to the appointment as a political party officer, shall be appointed to membership on the commission. For purposes of this subsection, “political party officer” means an officer of a national committee of a political party, state central or town committee. The commission shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson and another member to serve as vice-chairperson. Each member of the commission shall be compensated at the rate of two hundred dollars per day for any day on which he participates in a regular commission meeting or hearing, and shall be paid by the state for his reasonable expenses, including necessary stenographic and clerical help.

(b) A vacancy in the commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the commission, and three members of said commission shall constitute a quorum.

(c) The commission shall at the close of each fiscal year report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning the action it has taken including, but not limited to a list of all complaints investigated by the commission and the disposition of each such complaint, by voting districts, where the alleged violation occurred; the names, salaries and duties of the individuals in its employ and the money it has disbursed; and shall make such further reports on the matters within its jurisdiction and such recommendations for further legislation as may appear desirable.

(d) The commission shall, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, employ such employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, section 9-7b and section 9-623 and may apply to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection or to the Chief State’s Attorney for necessary investigatory personnel, which the same are hereby authorized to provide.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 5-266a and 5-266b, no member or employee of the commission shall (1) be a candidate in any primary or election, (2) hold any elected public office, (3) be a political party officer, as defined in subsection (a) of this section, (4) be a member of a national committee of a political party, state central or town committee, or a person employed by any such committee for compensation, or (5) hold any office of any committee, as defined in section 9-601. The members and employees of the commission shall otherwise be subject to the provisions of sections 5-266a and 5-266b.

(f) The commission shall not be construed to be a board or commission within the meaning of section 4-9a.

(g) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, in the case of a written complaint filed with the commission pursuant to section 9-7b on or after January 1, 1988, if the commission does not, by the sixtieth day following receipt of the complaint, either issue a decision or render its determination that probable cause or no probable cause exists for one or more violations of state election laws, the complainant or respondent may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford for an order to show cause why the commission has not acted upon the complaint and to provide evidence that the commission has unreasonably delayed action.

(2) In the case of a statement filed by the Secretary of the State with the commission pursuant to section 9-7b on or after July 1, 2015, if the commission does not, by the thirtieth day following such filing, make a determination to investigate such statement and, by the ninetieth day following such filing, complete any investigation of such statement and issue a decision, the Secretary may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford for an order to show cause why the commission has not acted upon the statement and to provide evidence that the commission has unreasonably delayed action.

(3) Any judicial proceeding pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be privileged with respect to assignment for trial. The commission shall appear and give appropriate explanation in the matter. The court may, in its discretion, order the commission to: (A) Continue to proceed pursuant to section 9-7b, (B) act by a date certain, or (C) refer the complaint or statement to the Chief State’s Attorney. Nothing in this subsection shall require the commission, in any proceeding brought pursuant to this subsection, to disclose records or documents which are not required to be disclosed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 1-210. Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the commission from continuing its investigation or taking any action permitted by section 9-7b, unless otherwise ordered by the court. The commission or any other party may, within seven days after a decision by the court under this subsection, file an appeal of the decision with the Appellate Court.

Sec. 9-7b. (Formerly Sec. 9-368b). State Elections Enforcement Commission’s duties and powers. (a) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall have the following duties and powers:

(1) To make investigations on its own initiative or with respect to statements filed with the commission by the Secretary of the State, any town clerk or any registrar of voters or upon written complaint under oath by any individual, with respect to alleged violations of any provision of the general statutes relating to any election or referendum, any primary held pursuant to section 9-423, 9-425 or 9-464 or any primary held pursuant to a special act, and to hold hearings when the commission deems necessary to investigate violations of any provisions of the general statutes relating to any such election, primary or referendum, and for the purpose of such hearings the commission may administer oaths, examine witnesses and receive oral and documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena witnesses under procedural rules the commission shall adopt, to compel their attendance and to require the production for examination of any books and papers which the commission deems relevant to any matter under investigation or in question. Until the commission determines that it is necessary to investigate a violation, commission members and staff shall keep confidential any information concerning a complaint or preliminary investigation, except upon request of the treasurer, deputy treasurer, chairperson or candidate affiliated with a committee that is the subject of the complaint or preliminary investigation. In connection with its investigation of any alleged violation of any provision of chapter 145, or of any provision of section 9-359 or section 9-359a, the commission shall also have the power to subpoena any municipal clerk and to require the production for examination of any absentee ballot, inner and outer envelope from which any such ballot has been removed, depository envelope containing any such ballot or inner or outer envelope as provided in sections 9-150a and 9-150b and any other record, form or document as provided in section 9-150b, in connection with the election, primary or referendum to which the investigation relates. In case of a refusal to comply with any subpoena issued pursuant to this subsection or to testify with respect to any matter upon which that person may be lawfully interrogated, the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, on application of the commission, may issue an order requiring such person to comply with such subpoena and to testify; failure to obey any such order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. In any matter under investigation which concerns the operation or inspection of or outcome recorded on any voting tabulator, the commission may issue an order to the registrars of voters to impound such tabulator until the investigation is completed;

(2) To levy a civil penalty not to exceed (A) two thousand dollars per offense against any person the commission finds to be in violation of any provision of chapter 145, part V of chapter 146, part I of chapter 147, chapter 148, section 7-9, section 9-12, subsection (a) of section 9-17, section 9-19b, 9-19e, 9-19g to 9-19k, inclusive, 9-20, 9-21, 9-23a, 9-23g, 9-23h, 9-23j to 9-23o, inclusive, 9-23r, 9-26, 9-31a, 9-32, 9-35, 9-35b, 9-35c, 9-40a, 9-42, 9-43, 9-50a, 9-56, 9-59, 9-168d, 9-170, 9-171, 9-172, 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive, 9-404a to 9-404c, inclusive, 9-409, 9-410, 9-412, 9-436, 9-436a, 9-453e to 9-453h, inclusive, 9-453k or 9-453o, (B) two thousand dollars per offense against any town clerk, registrar of voters, an appointee or designee of a town clerk or registrar of voters, or any other election or primary official whom the commission finds to have failed to discharge a duty imposed by any provision of chapter 146 or 147, (C) two thousand dollars per offense against any person the commission finds to have (i) improperly voted in any election, primary or referendum, and (ii) not been legally qualified to vote in such election, primary or referendum, or (D) two thousand dollars per offense or twice the amount of any improper payment or contribution, whichever is greater, against any person the commission finds to be in violation of any provision of chapter 155 or 157. The commission may levy a civil penalty against any person under subparagraph (A), (B), (C) or (D) of this subdivision only after giving the person an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive. In the case of failure to pay any such penalty levied pursuant to this subsection within thirty days of written notice sent by certified or registered mail to such person, the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, on application of the commission, may issue an order requiring such person to pay the penalty imposed and such court costs, state marshal’s fees and attorney’s fees incurred by the commission as the court may determine. Any civil penalties paid, collected or recovered under subparagraph (D) of this subdivision for a violation of any provision of chapter 155 applying to the office of the Treasurer shall be deposited on a pro rata basis in any trust funds, as defined in section 3-13c, affected by such violation.

(3) (A) To issue an order requiring any person the commission finds to have received any contribution or payment which is prohibited by any of the provisions of chapter 155 or 157, after an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive, to return such contribution or payment to the donor or payor, or to remit such contribution or payment to the state for deposit in the General Fund or the Citizens’ Election Fund, whichever is deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of chapter 155 or 157, as the case may be;

(B) To issue an order when the commission finds that an intentional violation of any provision of chapter 155 or 157 has been committed, after an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive, which order may contain one or more of the following sanctions: (i) Removal of a treasurer, deputy treasurer or solicitor; (ii) prohibition on serving as a treasurer, deputy treasurer or solicitor; and (iii) in the case of a party committee or a political committee, suspension of all political activities, including, but not limited to, the receipt of contributions and the making of expenditures, provided the commission may not order such a suspension unless the commission has previously ordered the removal of the treasurer and notifies the officers of the committee that the commission is considering such suspension;

(C) To issue an order revoking any person’s eligibility to be appointed or serve as an election, primary or referendum official or unofficial checker or in any capacity at the polls on the day of an election, primary or referendum, when the commission finds such person has intentionally violated any provision of the general statutes relating to the conduct of an election, primary or referendum, after an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive;

(D) To issue an order to enforce the provisions of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, as the commission deems appropriate;

(E) To issue an order following the commission’s determination of the right of an individual to be or remain an elector when such determination is made (i) pursuant to an appeal taken to the commission from a decision of the registrars of voters or board of admission of electors under section 9-31l, or (ii) following the commission’s investigation pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection;

(F) To issue a cease and desist order for violation of any general statute or regulation under the commission’s jurisdiction and to take reasonable actions necessary to compel compliance with such statute or regulation;

(4) To issue an order to a candidate committee that receives moneys from the Citizens’ Election Fund pursuant to chapter 157, to comply with the provisions of chapter 157, after an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-176e to 4-184, inclusive;

(5) (A) To inspect or audit at any reasonable time and upon reasonable notice the accounts or records of any treasurer or principal treasurer, except as provided for in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, as required by chapter 155 or 157 and to audit any such election, primary or referendum held within the state; provided, (i) (I) not later than two months preceding the day of an election at which a candidate is seeking election, the commission shall complete any audit it has initiated in the absence of a complaint that involves a committee of the same candidate from a previous election, and (II) during the two-month period preceding the day of an election at which a candidate is seeking election, the commission shall not initiate an audit in the absence of a complaint that involves a committee of the same candidate from a previous election, and (ii) the commission shall not audit any caucus, as defined in subdivision (1) of section 9-372. (B) When conducting an audit after an election or primary, the commission shall randomly audit not more than fifty per cent of candidate committees, which shall be selected through the process of a lottery conducted by the commission, except that the commissioner shall audit all candidate committees for candidates for a state-wide office. (C) The commission shall notify, in writing, any committee of a candidate for an office in the general election, or of any candidate who had a primary for nomination to any such office not later than May thirty-first of the year immediately following such election. In no case shall the commission audit any such candidate committee that the commission fails to provide notice to in accordance with this subparagraph;

(6) To attempt to secure voluntary compliance, by informal methods of conference, conciliation and persuasion, with any provision of chapter 149, 151 to 153, inclusive, 155, 156 or 157 or any other provision of the general statutes relating to any such election, primary or referendum;

(7) To consult with the Secretary of the State, the Chief State’s Attorney or the Attorney General on any matter which the commission deems appropriate;

(8) To refer to the Chief State’s Attorney evidence bearing upon violation of any provision of chapter 149, 151 to 153, inclusive, 155, 156 or 157 or any other provision of the general statutes pertaining to or relating to any such election, primary or referendum;

(9) To refer to the Attorney General evidence for injunctive relief and any other ancillary equitable relief in the circumstances of subdivision (8) of this subsection. Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude a person who claims that he is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of chapter 152 or any other provision of the general statutes relating to referenda from pursuing injunctive and any other ancillary equitable relief directly from the Superior Court by the filing of a complaint;

(10) To refer to the Attorney General evidence pertaining to any ruling which the commission finds to be in error made by election officials in connection with any election, primary or referendum. Those remedies and procedures available to parties claiming to be aggrieved under the provisions of sections 9-323, 9-324, 9-328 and 9-329a shall apply to any complaint brought by the Attorney General as a result of the provisions of this subdivision;

(11) To consult with the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney for Connecticut on any investigation pertaining to a violation of this section, section 9-12, subsection (a) of section 9-17 or section 9-19b, 9-19e, 9-19g, 9-19h, 9-19i, 9-20, 9-21, 9-23a, 9-23g, 9-23h, 9-23j to 9-23o, inclusive, 9-26, 9-31a, 9-32, 9-35, 9-35b, 9-35c, 9-40a, 9-42, 9-43, 9-50a, 9-56 or 9-59 and to refer to said department and attorney evidence bearing upon any such violation for prosecution under the provisions of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time;

(12) To inspect reports filed with town clerks pursuant to chapter 155 and refer to the Chief State’s Attorney evidence bearing upon any violation of law therein if such violation was committed knowingly and wilfully;

(13) To intervene in any action brought pursuant to the provisions of sections 9-323, 9-324, 9-328 and 9-329a upon application to the court in which such action is brought when in the opinion of the court it is necessary to preserve evidence of possible criminal violation of the election laws;

(14) To adopt and publish regulations pursuant to chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of section 9-7a, this section, and chapters 155 and 157; to issue upon request and publish advisory opinions in the Connecticut Law Journal upon the requirements of chapters 155 and 157, and to make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning suggested revisions of the election laws;

(15) To the extent that the Elections Enforcement Commission is involved in the investigation of alleged or suspected criminal violations of any provision of the general statutes pertaining to or relating to any such election, primary or referendum and is engaged in such investigation for the purpose of presenting evidence to the Chief State’s Attorney, the Elections Enforcement Commission shall be deemed a law enforcement agency for purposes of subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 1-210, provided nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt the Elections Enforcement Commission in any other respect from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200;

(16) To enter into such contractual agreements as may be necessary for the discharge of its duties, within the limits of its appropriated funds and in accordance with established procedures;

(17) To provide the Secretary of the State with notice and copies of all decisions rendered by the commission in contested cases, advisory opinions and declaratory judgments, at the time such decisions, judgments and opinions are made or issued;

(18) To receive and determine complaints filed under the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, by any person who believes there is a violation of any provision of Title III of P.L. 107-252, as amended. Any complaint filed under this subdivision shall be in writing, notarized and signed and sworn by the person filing the complaint. At the request of the complainant, there shall be a hearing on the record, conducted in accordance with sections 4-167e to 4-184, inclusive. The commission shall make a final determination with respect to a complaint prior to the expiration of the ninety-day period beginning on the date the complaint is filed, unless the complainant consents to a longer period for making such determination. If the commission fails to meet the applicable deadline under this subdivision with respect to a complaint, the commission shall resolve the complaint within sixty days after the expiration of such ninety-day period under an alternative dispute resolution procedure established by the commission.

(b) In the case of a refusal to comply with an order of the commission issued pursuant to subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section, the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, on application of the commission, may issue a further order to comply. Failure to obey such further order may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

Sec. 9-7c. Recommended appropriations. Allotments. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the appropriations recommended for the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall be the estimates of expenditure requirements transmitted to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by the executive director of the commission and the recommended adjustments and revisions of such estimates shall be the recommended adjustments and revisions, if any, transmitted by said executive director to the Office of Policy and Management.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Governor shall not reduce allotment requisitions or allotments in force concerning the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Sec. 9-8. Penalty for false statement. Any person who makes a false statement in any statement required to be signed under the penalties of false statement under this title and, except as otherwise provided by law, any person who signs the name of another to any such statement shall be guilty of false statement, which shall be deemed to have been committed in the town where such statement is filed and shall be subject to the penalties provided for false statement.

Sec. 9-8a. 1972 election of General Assembly. Section 9-8a is repealed.

Chapter 142 – Congressional, Senatorial and Assembly Districts

CHAPTER 142 – CONGRESSIONAL, SENATORIAL AND ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS

Sec. 9-9. Representatives in Congress. Districts. For the purpose of representation in the Congress of the United States, there shall be elected in the manner provided by law one representative from each of the five congressional districts.

Sec. 9-10. Senatorial districts. Section 9-10 is repealed.

Sec. 9-10a. State senators. Senatorial districts. The Senate shall consist of thirty-six senators, and the state shall be divided into thirty-six districts, in each of which one senator shall be elected as follows:

(Districts omitted.*)

Secs. 9-10b to 9-10d. State representatives. Assembly districts. Boundaries of local voting districts. Obsolete.

Sec. 9-11. Notice of election of congressmen and senators. Section 9-11 is repealed.

Chapter 143 – Electors: Qualifications and Admission

CHAPTER 143 – ELECTORS: QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSION

Sec. 9-12. Who may be admitted. (a) Each citizen of the United States who has attained the age of eighteen years, and who is a bona fide resident of the town to which the citizen applies for admission as an elector shall, on approval by the registrars of voters or town clerk of the town of residence of such citizen, as prescribed by law, be an elector, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. For purposes of this section a person shall be deemed to have attained the age of eighteen years on the day of the person’s eighteenth birthday and a person shall be deemed to be a bona fide resident of the town to which the citizen applies for admission as an elector if such person’s dwelling unit is located within the geographic boundaries of such town. No mentally incompetent person shall be admitted as an elector.

(b) Any citizen who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election may apply for admission as an elector. If such citizen is found to be qualified the citizen shall become an elector on the day of the citizen’s eighteenth birthday. The registrars shall add the name of any person applying under this subsection, if found qualified, to the registry list and, if applicable, to the enrollment list, together with the effective date of his registration. The registrars may place the name of each such person at the end of the registry and enrollment lists for the voting district.

Sec. 9-12a. Residence of servicemen. Section 9-12a is repealed.

Sec. 9-12b. Admission of electors not prohibited on Sundays. The provisions of section 53-302a shall not apply to activities conducted for the purpose of admitting electors.

Sec. 9-13. Blind persons. No applicant, otherwise qualified to be an elector in this state, shall be ineligible by reason of blindness or defective sight.

Sec. 9-14. Electors residing in state institutions. No person shall be deemed to have lost his residence in any town by reason of his absence therefrom in any institution maintained by the state. No person who resides in any institution maintained by the state shall be admitted as an elector in the town in which such institution is located, unless he proves to the satisfaction of the admitting official that he is a bona fide resident of such institution.

Sec. 9-14a. Electors in custody of state. Any person in the custody of the state being held at a community correctional center or a correctional institution, whose voting rights have not been denied, shall be deemed to be absent from the town or city of which he is an inhabitant for purposes of voting, notwithstanding that such center or institution may be situated within such town or city.

Sec. 9-15. Residence of pauper. Section 9-15 is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.

Sec. 9-15a. Membership and quorum of board for admission of electors. (a) The board for admission of electors in each town shall consist of the town clerk and the selectmen, provided the legislative body of any town may, at any time, except during the period of eight weeks prior to a regular election, vote to change the membership of such board to consist of (1) the town clerk, the selectmen and the registrars of voters or (2) the town clerk and the registrars of voters. For the purposes of this section, the term “registrars of voters”, in a town where there are different registrars of voters for different voting districts, means the registrars of voters in the voting district in which, at the last-preceding election, the presiding officer for the purpose of declaring the result of the vote of the whole town was the moderator.

(b) Any member of the board for the admission of electors in any town who finds that he is unable to attend a meeting of the board shall designate another elected officer of such town to act for him by filing a statement of such designation in writing in the office of the town clerk at any time prior to the opening of the meeting, provided, if an assistant town clerk is available, he shall serve in the absence or inability of the town clerk and, if the deputy registrar of voters is available, he shall serve in the absence or inability of his registrar.

(c) A quorum of the board for the admission of electors shall consist of a bare majority of the members of such board. An assistant town clerk or a deputy registrar or any other town officer designated by, and acting for, a member of such board pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be included as a member of such board for purposes of ascertaining the existence of a quorum.

(d) This section shall supersede any inconsistent provision of any charter or special act.

Sec. 9-16. Notice of sessions of registrars of voters. The registrars of voters in each town shall give notice of the time and place of each session for the admission of electors held pursuant to section 9-17 by publication in a newspaper published or circulated in such town not more than fifteen nor less than five days before each such session. Nothing herein shall require that such publication be in the form of a legal advertisement.

Sec. 9-17. Sessions of registrars of voters. (a) For the purposes of this section, “primary day” means the day that a primary for state, district and municipal offices is being held in accordance with section 9-423, and “election day” means the day of each regular election. (1) The registrars of voters of each town shall hold sessions to examine the qualifications of electors and admit those found qualified on the dates and at the times set forth in this section. Such sessions shall be held on the following days during the hours indicated, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection:

The session of the registrars of voters on the seventh day before election day shall be the last session for admission of electors prior to an election, as defined in subsection (y) of section 9-1. (2) No town having a population of less than twenty-five thousand persons shall be required to hold sessions for admission of electors on the fourteenth day before primary day.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the registrars of voters shall hold a limited session on the last week day before each regular election from nine o’clock a.m. to five o’clock p.m. for the purpose of admitting only those persons whose qualifications as to age, citizenship or residence in the municipality were attained after the last session for admission of electors prior to an election. The registrars shall enter the names of those electors admitted at such limited session on the proper list, with their residences by street and numbers.

(c) In addition to the sessions held pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the registrars of voters in each town shall hold one session each year, between the first of January and the last day of the school year, at each public high school in such town, for the admission of persons who are eligible for admission under subsection (a) or (b) of section 9-12, provided, in the case of a public high school in a regional school district, such session shall be held on a rotating basis by the registrars of voters for each town which is a member of the regional school district. The registrars of voters need not give notice of this session by publication in a newspaper.

Sec. 9-17a. “Admitting official” defined. As used in sections 9-17, 9-19b, 9-19c, 9-20, 9-23a, 9-24, 9-31a, 9-31b and 9-31l, unless otherwise provided, the term “admitting official” means a town clerk, assistant town clerk, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters or assistant registrar of voters or the board for admission of electors.

Secs. 9-18, 9-18a and 9-19. Sessions of board during even-numbered years. Required monthly sessions. Additional sessions. Sections 9-18, 9-18a and 9-19 are repealed.

Sec. 9-19a. Inconsistent provisions superseded. The provisions of this chapter shall supersede any inconsistent provision of any charter or special act.

Sec. 9-19b. Applications for admission submitted to town clerk or registrar of voters. Locations for admission of electors. (a) Except during the period between the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the day following that election, the town clerk or assistant town clerk, during office hours and at the office of such official, may examine the qualifications of any person applying in person to be admitted as an elector and approve such application.

(b) Except during the period between the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the day following that election, either registrar of voters, or a deputy registrar or assistant registrar appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 9-192 may examine the qualifications of any person applying to be admitted as an elector in the town and, except for applications submitted pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection, approve such application submitted in person (1) at the office of such official; (2) at any enrollment session of the registrars of voters; (3) at any public place; (4) at any time and at any place in the town, other than a public place; or (5) at any public office of the Department of Motor Vehicles, Labor Department or Department of Social Services which is located in the town in which the registrar, deputy registrar or assistant registrar serves, if written notice of the date and time is given seven days in advance thereof to the commissioner of such department. Upon receipt of a written notice under subdivision (5) of this subsection, the commissioner of the department may designate a portion of the public office which shall be used for the admission of electors. The other registrar, or any deputy or assistant registrar, shall be permitted to be present during the admission of any person pursuant to subdivisions (4) and (5) of this subsection. Applications accepted and examined prior to the last session for admission of electors prior to an election pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection may be approved after such last session. The admission of any person pursuant to subdivision (4) shall be effective on the date when both registrars approve such application. The registrar who receives such application from the applicant shall give written notice to the other registrar within one business day after such receipt and the registrars shall forthwith act on such applications. No rejection of any application under subdivision (4) of this subsection shall be effective until the registrar has mailed to the other registrar and the applicant a notice stating any reason for the rejection. Any applicant whose application is rejected may appeal under the provisions of section 9-31l.

(c) Such registrar, deputy or assistant registrar accepting applications in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this section shall provide the applicant with a receipt. Upon approval or disapproval of the application, the registrars shall send a notice thereof by first-class mail with instructions on the envelope that it be returned if not deliverable at the address shown thereon. If such notice of approval is returned undeliverable, the registrars shall take the necessary action in accordance with section 9-35 or 9-43.

(d) During the period between the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the opening of the limited session for the admission of electors held on the last weekday before such election under section 9-17, the town clerk or assistant town clerk during office hours and at the office of such official and either registrar of voters or a deputy or assistant registrar at the office of such official may examine the qualifications of any person applying in person to be admitted in such town and approve the application of such person whose qualifications as to age, citizenship or residence in the municipality were attained after such last session and on or before the last weekday prior to such election.

Sec. 9-19c. Application for admission at place of employment, residence or study. (a) Upon the presentation to the town clerk or either registrar of voters of any town of the signed application of twenty-five or more persons who are employed by the same employer at the same place of employment in such town, or twenty-five or more persons who attend the same school, college or university which is located in such town, or who reside at the same hospital, residential care home, rest home, nursing home or convalescent home located in such town and who believe that they possess the qualifications for admission as electors, which application may be made at any time except during the period between seven days before the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the day following such election, and shall be in form substantially as provided in section 9-19d; an admitting official, within the time hereinafter specified, shall go to such place of employment, school, college, or university or hospital, residential care home, rest home, nursing home or convalescent home for the purpose of taking and acting upon applications for admission as electors of any persons who reside in any Connecticut town and who are authorized to be on the premises. No application need be accepted by such town clerk or registrars from persons working at any such place of employment, attending any such school, college or university or residing at any such hospital, residential care home, rest home, nursing home or convalescent home if a session for the admission of electors has been held on such premises within one hundred twenty days prior to the making of such petition. Such official to whom such application is presented shall, within seven days after the receipt of such application, inform each registrar of voters and the employer, or chief administrative officer of the school, college or university or hospital, residential care home, rest home, nursing home or convalescent home of the date and time at which he will go to such place for such purpose, which date shall be not less than seven days nor more than ten days after the sending of the notice by such official to such employer or chief administrative officer, except that no session shall be held after the last session for admission of electors prior to an election. The official with whom the application is filed may request any other admitting official to go in his stead.

(b) Such employer, or chief administrative officer, upon receipt of such notice, shall provide a suitable place for the taking of applications for admission as electors and shall forthwith cause a prominent notice to be posted on the bulletin board or other place where general notices to employees, students or residents are customarily posted, which notice shall specify the date, place and hour at which such official will receive such applications, and such notice shall remain posted through the day of such taking of applications. Procedures under this section shall conform as nearly as may be to the procedures for applications for admission submitted pursuant to sections 9-19b, 9-19e, 9-20 and 9-23a. No employer shall penalize or refuse to pay an employee who proceeds under this section and section 9-19d, and any employee proceeding under said sections shall be entitled to be paid at his regular rate for up to one-half hour for the purpose of making application to become an elector.

Sec. 9-19d. Form of application. The application provided for in section 9-19c shall be in form substantially as follows:

We the undersigned, being citizens of the United States of voting age, are

[ ] employed, and all being employees of …. (name of employer)

or

[ ] students attending …. (name of school, college or university)

or

[ ] residing at the (name of hospital, residential care home, rest home, nursing home or convalescent home) …. in said town and each of us believing that he or she possesses the qualifications for admission as an elector, do hereby request you to come to our place of employment, or school, college or university or residence, as the case may be, at …. (address), in said town, for the purpose of receiving applications for admission as an elector.

Dated at …., Connecticut, this …. day of …., 20…

Sec. 9-19e. Cross-town application for admission. Except during the period between the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the day following that election, an admitting official of any town, as defined in section 9-17a, may, at the times and places prescribed by law, accept applications for admission as an elector from persons who reside in any Connecticut town and examine their qualifications. Each such application for admission shall be made on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State and shall provide a space for application for enrollment in a political party as provided in section 9-23a. Such admitting official shall hand a receipt to the applicant and immediately mail the application to the town clerk or registrars of voters of the town of residence of the applicant. The town clerk or registrars of voters of the town of residence of such applicant shall act upon such application, upon its receipt, and shall note on such copy his or their action and the date thereof, and if disapproved, his or their reasons therefor. If the town clerk acts on the application, he shall deliver such copy to the registrars as provided in section 9-20 and whoever acts upon the application shall immediately send written notification to the applicant, and if the application is disapproved, he or they shall send such notification by certified mail. No person shall be admitted as an elector under this section unless his application has been approved by the town clerk or registrars of voters of his town of residence. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit an admitting official to approve applications for admission as an elector in places located outside the boundaries of the municipality or district of which he is an official. Appeals may be taken from the action of such town clerk or registrars of voters under this section in accordance with section 9-31l. Any person making application for registration under this section shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector and party enrollment, if applicable, from the time such application for admission as an elector is approved by the town clerk or registrars of voters of his voting residence, provided if such application is made after twelve o’clock noon on the last business day before a primary, such applicant shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the primary and provided if such application is made on the day of a caucus or convention, such applicant shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the caucus or convention.

Sec. 9-19f. Out-of-town assistance permitted at admission sessions. The registrar of voters or the deputy or any assistant registrar of voters of any town may, upon the request of the registrar of voters of any other town, assist such registrar or deputy or assistant registrar at any session for the admission of electors held pursuant to section 9-19b or subsection (a) of section 9-19c in the town in which the requesting registrar resides.

Sec. 9-19g. Application for admission after established cutoff date. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-19b, during the period between the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the opening of the limited session for such admission held on the last weekday before the election, the town clerk or assistant town clerk during office hours and at the office of such official, and either registrar of voters or a deputy or assistant registrar at the office of such official, may examine the qualifications of any person applying in person to be admitted as an elector in such town and act on such application, except the privileges of an elector shall not attach to any such applicant until written approval is sent to him by such official no earlier than two days following the election. If the application is disapproved, such official shall send notification thereof by certified mail no earlier than two days following the election. At the time of application, the official examining the applicant shall retain a copy of the application and shall hand a receipt thereof to the applicant.

Sec. 9-19h. Availability of admissions information and materials at certain state agencies and libraries. Application for admission through Department of Motor Vehicles. (a) The Department of Social Services, the Labor Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall make voter registration information and materials available to the public. Such information and materials shall be placed in public areas of the offices of such departments. The State Library and the libraries of the state’s public institutions of higher education shall also make such information and materials available to users of the libraries. The Secretary of the State shall provide such departments, such libraries and any libraries open to the public with suitable nonpartisan literature, materials and voter registration application forms authorized under sections 9-23g and 9-23h. The secretary shall also provide to the Department of Social Services, the Labor Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles any furniture needed to display such literature, materials and forms.

(b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, not later than January 1, 1994, shall include an application for the admission of an elector with each application form provided for a motor vehicle operator’s license and a motor vehicle operator’s license renewal, which are issued under subpart (B) of part III of chapter 246, and with each application form provided for an identity card issued under section 1-1h. Such application form for the admission of an elector (1) shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the State, (2) shall not include any provisions for the witnessing of the application, and (3) shall contain a statement that (A) specifies each eligibility requirement, (B) contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement, and (C) requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept any such completed application for admission which is submitted in person or by mail. The applicant shall state on such form, under penalty of perjury, the applicant’s name, bona fide residence address, date of birth, whether the applicant is a United States citizen, party enrollment, if any, prior voting address, if registered previously, and that the applicant’s privileges as an elector are not forfeited by reason of conviction of a felony. No Social Security number on any such application form for the admission of an elector filed prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed to the public or to any governmental agency. The commissioner shall indicate on each such form the date of receipt of such application to ensure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election if it is received by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles by the last day for registration to vote in an election. The commissioner shall provide the applicant with an application receipt, on a form approved by the Secretary of the State and on which the commissioner shall record the date that the commissioner received the application, using an official date stamp bearing the words “Department of Motor Vehicles”. The commissioner shall provide such receipt whether the application was submitted in person or by mail. The commissioner shall forthwith transmit the application to the registrars of voters of the applicant’s town of residence. If a registration application is accepted within five days before the last day for registration to vote in a regular election, the application shall be transmitted to the registrars of voters of the town of voting residence of the applicant not later than five days after the date of acceptance. The procedures in subsections (c), (d), (f) and (g) of section 9-23g which are not inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, shall apply to applications made under this section. The commissioner is not an admitting official and may not restore, under the provisions of section 9-46a, electoral privileges of persons convicted of a felony.

Sec. 9-19i. Change of address form submitted for purposes of motor vehicle operator’s license to serve as notification of change of address for voter registration purposes; exception; procedure. Any change of address form submitted by a person in accordance with law for purposes of a motor vehicle operator’s license shall serve as notification of change of address for voter registration for the person unless the person states on the form that the change of address is not for voter registration purposes. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall forthwith transmit such change of address information to the registrars of voters of the town of the former address of the person. If the name of the person appears on the registry list of the town, and if the new address is also within such town, the registrars shall enter the name of such elector on the registry list at the place where he then resides. If the name of the person appears on the registry list of the town and if the new address is outside such town, the registrars shall remove the name of such elector from the registry list and send the elector the notice, information and application required by section 9-35.

Sec. 9-19j. Election day registration; confirmation procedures; counting of ballots. Activities prohibited near location of election day registration. (a) As used in this subsection and subsections (b) to (i), inclusive, of this section, “election day” means the day on which a regular election, as defined in section 9-1, is held.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, a person who (1) is (A) not an elector, or (B) an elector registered in a municipality who wishes to change his or her registration to another municipality pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section, and (2) meets the eligibility requirements under subsection (a) of section 9-12, may apply for admission as an elector on election day pursuant to the provisions of subsections (a) to (i), inclusive, of this section.

(c) (1) The registrars of voters shall designate a location for the completion and processing of election day registration applications on election day, provided the registrars of voters have access to the state-wide centralized voter registration system from such location.

(2) The registrars of voters may appoint one or more election officials to serve at such location and may delegate to such election officials any of the responsibilities assigned to the registrars of voters. The registrars of voters shall supervise such election officials and train such election officials to be election day registration election officials.

(d) Any person applying to register on election day under the provisions of subsections (a) to (i), inclusive, of this section shall make application in accordance with the provisions of section 9-20, provided (1) on election day, the applicant shall appear in person at the location designated by the registrars of voters for election day registration, (2) an applicant who is a student enrolled at an institution of higher education may submit a current photo identification card issued by said institution in lieu of the identification required by section 9-20, and (3) the applicant shall declare under oath that the applicant has not previously voted in the election. If the information that the applicant is required to provide under section 9-20 and subsections (a) to (i), inclusive, of this section does not include proof of the applicant’s residential address, the applicant shall also submit identification that shows the applicant’s bona fide residence address, including, but not limited to, a learner’s permit issued under section 14-36 or a utility bill that has the applicant’s name and current address and that has a due date that is not later than thirty days after the election or, in the case of a student enrolled at an institution of higher education, a registration or fee statement from such institution that has the applicant’s name and current address.

(e) If the registrars of voters determine that an applicant satisfies the application requirements set forth in subsection (d) of this section, the registrars of voters shall check the state-wide centralized voter registration system before admitting such applicant as an elector.

(1) If the registrars of voters determine that the applicant is not already an elector, the registrars of voters shall admit the applicant as an elector and the privileges of an elector shall attach immediately.

(2) If the registrars of voters determine that such applicant is an elector in another municipality and such applicant states that he or she wants to change the municipality in which the applicant is an elector, notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-21, the registrars of voters of the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register shall immediately notify the registrars of voters in such other municipality that such elector is changing the municipality in which the applicant is an elector. The registrars of voters in such other municipality shall notify the election officials in such municipality to remove such elector from the official voter list of such municipality. Such election officials shall cross through the elector’s name on such official voter list and mark “off” next to such elector’s name on such official voter list.

(A) If it is reported that such applicant already voted in such other municipality, the registrars of voters of such other municipality shall immediately notify the registrars of voters of the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register. In such event, such elector shall not receive an election day registration ballot from the registrars of voters of the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register. For any such elector, the election day registration process shall cease in the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register and such matter shall be reviewed by the registrars of voters in the municipality in which such elector now seeks to register. After completion of such review, if a resolution of the matter can not be made, such matter shall be reported to the State Elections Enforcement Commission which shall conduct an investigation of the matter.

(B) If there is no such report that such applicant already voted in the other municipality, the registrars of voters of the municipality in which the applicant seeks to register shall admit the applicant as an elector and the privileges of an elector shall attach immediately.

(f) If the applicant is admitted as an elector, the registrars of voters shall provide the elector with an election day registration ballot and election day registration envelope and shall make a record of such issuance. The elector shall complete an affirmation imprinted upon the back of the envelope for an election day registration ballot and shall declare under oath that the applicant has not previously voted in the election. The affirmation shall be in the form substantially as follows and signed by the voter:

AFFIRMATION: I, the undersigned, do hereby state, under penalty of false statement, (perjury) that:

1. I am the person admitted here as an elector in the town indicated.
2. I am eligible to vote in the election indicated for today in the town indicated.
3. The information on my voter registration card is correct and complete.
4. I reside at the address that I have given to the registrars of voters.
5. If previously registered at another location, I have provided such address to the registrars of voters and hereby request cancellation of such prior registration.
6. I have not voted in person or by absentee ballot and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot at this election.
7. I completed an application for an election day registration ballot and received an election day registration ballot.

(Signature of voter)

(g) The elector shall forthwith mark the election day registration ballot in the presence of the registrars of voters in such a manner that the registrars of voters shall not know how the election day registration ballot is marked. The elector shall place the election day registration ballot in the election day registration ballot envelope provided, and deposit such envelope in a secured election day registration ballot depository receptacle. At the time designated by the registrars of voters and noticed to election officials, the registrars of voters shall transport such receptacle containing the election day registration ballots to the central location or polling place, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, where absentee ballots are counted and such election day registration ballots shall be counted by the election officials present at such central location or polling place. A section of the head moderator’s return shall show the number of election day registration ballots received from electors. The registrars of voters shall seal a copy of the vote tally for election day registration ballots in a depository envelope with the election day registration ballots and store such election day registration depository envelope with the other election results materials. The election day registration depository envelope shall be preserved by the registrars of voters for the period of time required to preserve counted ballots for elections.

(h) The provisions of the general statutes and regulations concerning procedures relating to the custody, control and counting of absentee ballots shall apply as nearly as possible, to the custody, control and counting of election day registration ballots under subsections (a) to (i), inclusive, of this section.

(i) After the acceptance of an election day registration, the registrars of voters shall forthwith send a registration confirmation notice to the residential address of each applicant who is admitted as an elector on election day under subsections (a) to (i), inclusive, of this section. Such confirmation shall be sent by first class mail with instructions on the envelope that it be returned if not deliverable at the address shown on the envelope. If a confirmation notice is returned undelivered, the registrars shall forthwith take the necessary action in accordance with section 9-35 or 9-43, as applicable, notwithstanding the May first deadline in section 9-35.

(j) No person shall solicit in behalf of or in opposition to the candidacy of another or himself or herself or in behalf of or in opposition to any question being submitted at the election, or loiter or peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to the registrars’ of voters designated location for election day registration balloting or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such outside entrance to such registrars’ of voters designated location or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach.

Sec. 9-19k. Online voter registration system. (a) The Secretary of the State shall establish and maintain a system for online voter registration. Such system shall also permit a registered elector to apply for changes to such elector’s registration. An applicant may register to vote through this system, provided the applicant’s (1) registration information is verifiable in the manner described in subsection (b) of this section, and (2) signature is in a database described in said subsection (b) and such signature may be imported into such system for online voter registration.

(b) A state agency, upon the request of the Secretary of the State, shall provide any information to the Secretary that the Secretary deems necessary to maintain the system for online voter registration. The Secretary may cross reference the information input into the system by applicants with data or information contained in any state agency’s database or a database administered by the federal government, or any voter registration database of another state, in order to verify the information submitted by applicants. The Secretary shall not use the information obtained from any such database except to verify information submitted by the applicant, provided the applicant’s signature, if part of data contained in the state agency’s database, shall be included as part of the applicant’s information contained in the system for online voter registration.

(c) The submission of an online application shall contain all of the information that is required for an application under section 9-23h, except that a signature shall be obtained from another state agency’s database pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(d) In order for an applicant’s registration or change in registration to be approved, the applicant shall mark the box associated with the following statement included as part of the online application:

“By clicking on the box below, I swear or affirm all of the following under penalty of perjury:

(1) I am the person whose name and identifying information is provided on this form, and I desire to register to vote in the State of Connecticut.

(2) All of the information I have provided on this form is true and correct as of the date I am submitting this form.

(3) I authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles or other Connecticut state agency to transmit to the Connecticut Secretary of the State or my town’s registrars of voters my signature that is on file with such agency and understand that such signature will be used by the Secretary of the State or my town’s registrars of voters on this online application for admission as an elector as if I had signed this form personally.”

(e) Upon approval of such application, the registrars of voters shall send a notice of approval pursuant to section 9-19b to the applicant.

(f) If an applicant registers to vote pursuant to the provisions of this section after the seventh day before an election or after the fifth day before a primary, the privileges of an elector shall not attach until the day after such election or primary, as the case may be. In such event, the registrars of voters may contact such applicant, either by telephone or mail, in order to inform such applicant of the effect of such late received application and any applicable deadline for applying for admission in person.

(g) Nothing in this section shall prevent the registrars of voters or any election official appointed by such registrars of voters to admit any applicant as an elector from utilizing the online voter registration system established pursuant to this section for the purpose of admitting such applicant on election day pursuant to section 9-19j.

Sec. 9-20. Admission of electors; procedure. (a) Each person who applies for admission as an elector in person to an admitting official shall, upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State and signed by the applicant, state under penalties of perjury, his name, bona fide residence by street and number, date of birth, whether he is a United States citizen, whether his privileges as an elector are forfeited by reason of conviction of crime, and whether he has previously been admitted as an elector in any town in this or any other state. Each such applicant shall present his birth certificate, drivers’ license or Social Security card to the admitting official for inspection at the time of application. Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act or charter to the contrary, the application form shall also, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, provide for application for enrollment in any political party, including, on any such form printed on or after January 1, 2006, a list of the names of the major parties, as defined in section 9-372, as options for the applicant. The form shall indicate that such enrollment is not mandatory.

(b) The applicant’s statement shall be delivered to the registrars immediately and shall be kept by the registrars as a public record in a safe depository, except that no Social Security number obtained by the registrars prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed to the public or to any governmental agency. Any such statement of an elector whose name has been removed from the registry list for a period of at least five years may be placed on microfilm, destroyed or otherwise disposed of by such registrars, in the manner provided in section 7-109. Upon the request of any elector, or if the applicant does not present a birth certificate, drivers’ license or Social Security card as required by subsection (a) of this section, at the time an application is made in person to an admitting official or prior to the approval of such an application, any admitting official shall require the applicant to prove his identity, place of birth, age and bona fide residence by the testimony under oath of at least one elector or by the presentation of proof satisfactory to such admitting official. Each person found qualified shall thereupon be admitted as an elector, except as provided in sections 9-12, 9-19e, 9-19g and 9-30. The registrars may request an elector whose date of birth is missing from their records to voluntarily furnish his date of birth. Any admitting official may administer oaths in any matter coming before him under section 9-12, 9-17, 9-19b, subsection (a) of section 9-19c, section 9-19e, 9-19g, 9-23, 9-23a, 9-25, 9-31a, 9-31b, 9-31l, 9-40a or this section. Said admitting official shall prohibit any activity which interferes with the orderly process of admission of electors.

(c) The application for admission as an elector shall include a statement that (1) specifies each eligibility requirement, (2) contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement, and (3) requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury. Each registrar of voters and town clerk shall maintain a copy of such statement in braille, large print and audio form. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall produce a videotape presenting such statement in voice and sign language and provide the videotape to the Secretary of the State who shall make copies of the videotape and provide a copy to the registrars of voters of any municipality, upon request and at a cost equal to the cost of making the copy. If a person applies for admission as an elector in person to an admitting official, such admitting official shall, upon the request of the applicant, administer the elector’s oath.

Sec. 9-20a. Proof of citizenship. If the applicant is a naturalized citizen, or if the applicant has acquired citizenship by reason of being born abroad to a United States citizen parent or has derived citizenship through the naturalization of a parent or spouse, the certificate of his naturalization, under the seal of the court issuing the same, or a copy thereof issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service in lieu of the original certificate, or a certificate of citizenship issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, or a passport issued by the State Department of the United States on or after January 1, 1948, or a written statement signed by a town clerk or registrar of voters of a town of this state or by an election official of another state in the United States or a town or political subdivision of such state that the records of such state, town or political subdivision show that such applicant has previously been admitted as an elector therein, shall be conclusive proof of citizenship. Any applicant submitting documentary evidence of citizenship shall make oath that he is the person named therein.

Sec. 9-20b. Voter registration services for new citizens at naturalization ceremonies. The Secretary of the State, within available appropriations and in consultation with registrars of voters and nonprofit organizations promoting voter registration, shall provide or arrange for voter registration services for new citizens at each naturalization ceremony held in the state by the federal Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for twenty-five or more new citizens.

Sec. 9-21. Removal of elector from registry list. (a) If any applicant for admission as an elector in any town has previously been admitted as an elector in any other town in this state, or in any other state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, he shall, under penalties of perjury, so declare, and shall also declare by what name and in what town and state, district or territory he was last admitted as an elector and the street address from which he last voted therein. The admitting official shall within forty-eight hours thereafter transmit a notice of cancellation of such registration, upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State to the registrars of such other town or, in the case of a town in another state, district or territory, to the appropriate registration official or officials in such other town. Upon receipt of such notice of cancellation of registration, the registrars of the town from which such elector has removed shall forthwith erase the name of such elector from the registry list of the town, if the same has not been erased therefrom.

(b) When the Secretary of the State receives information from a registration official of another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands that an elector of this state has registered in such other state, district or territory, the Secretary of the State may transmit a notification of such registration to the registrars of the town where such individual may be an elector in this state. If the registrars determine that the individual identified in the notice is an elector in this state, the registrars shall remove the name of such elector from the registry list.

Sec. 9-21a. Search of computerized voter registration records. Duplicate registrations. (a) The Secretary of the State, at such times as the Secretary determines, may cause a search to be made of computerized voter registration records to identify electors who may be registered in more than one town. The Secretary may compile, from such search, a list of possible duplicate registrations in any town or towns and transmit such list to the registrars of voters of the appropriate town or towns.

(b) Upon receipt of such list from the Secretary, the registrars may make such additional investigation as they deem necessary to determine if any elector in their town whose name appears on such list was previously registered in another town. The registrars of voters shall send to each elector on the registry list in their town, who the registrars of voters determine to be the same person who was previously registered in another town, a notice of duplicate registration in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State stating that (1) based on a computer search of voter registration records it appears that the elector may have been registered to vote in another town before registering in the registrars’ town, (2) as the result of such previous registration, the elector is no longer entitled to remain on the registry list in the previous town, and (3) unless the elector contacts the registrars of voters within thirty days to confirm that the elector is still entitled to be on the registry list in the previous town, the elector’s name shall be removed from the list. The notice of duplicate registration shall include a form on which the elector may confirm that the elector is entitled to be on an active registry list because the elector is a bona fide resident of the registrars’ town and either is not the person whose name appears on the registry list of another town, or has registered in the registrars’ town after registering in any other town.

(c) When an elector whose name appears on the inactive list files the confirmation provided for in this section, the elector’s name shall be restored to the active list. No elector shall be removed from the registry list pursuant to this section unless both registrars of voters agree that such elector has subsequently registered to vote in another town.

Sec. 9-22. Instruction of electors at sessions for admission. Section 9-22 is repealed.

Sec. 9-23. Registrars of voters. Posting of public hours. Maintenance of voter information. (a) The registrars of voters shall post, at the town hall or municipal building in the town in which they serve, the hours they are available to the public. Any change in the regular business hours of the office of the registrars of voters, and any hours for said office required under the general statutes for a specific day, shall be posted at least ten days before such change or day.

(b) The registrars shall enter the name, residence, date of birth and date of admission of each person admitted as an elector in the records of the registrars’ office, which shall be prima facie evidence that each such person possesses the requisite qualifications of an elector. The registrars shall also enter such voter information in the state-wide centralized voter registration system and shall maintain such voter information for active electors in a fire-proof cabinet in the registrars’ office. The registrars shall file monthly in the office of the town clerk an updated list of active electors in the town.

Sec. 9-23a. When person admitted as an elector permitted to vote in primary. Exception. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person admitted as an elector after twelve o’clock noon on the last business day before a primary shall be permitted to vote in such primary.

(b) An applicant for admission or enrollment under section 9-26 shall be entitled to vote in a primary if he files his application for admission or enrollment with the town clerk before the day of the primary and is otherwise eligible to vote in the primary.

Secs. 9-23b to 9-23f. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 9-23g. Mail-in application for admission. (a) In addition to the procedures for admission of electors under sections 9-19b, 9-19c, 9-19e, 9-20 and 9-31, any person may apply to a registrar of voters of the town of his residence for admission as an elector in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 9-23h.

(b) The Secretary of the State shall prescribe, and provide to registrars of voters, town clerks and voter registration agencies, as defined in section 9-23n, application forms and other materials necessary to complete such application and admission process. The Secretary of the State, registrars of voters and town clerks shall provide a reasonable number of such forms and materials to any elector who requests such forms and materials. The Secretary shall also, in the course of the Secretary’s elections duties, prepare instructions and related materials describing procedures for such application and admission process and shall provide the materials to registrars of voters and town clerks. The application shall contain the information required under section 9-23h. All statements of the applicant shall be made under the penalties of perjury. The application for admission as an elector shall include a statement that (1) specifies each eligibility requirement, (2) contains an attestation that the application meets each such requirement, and (3) requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury. Nothing in this section or section 9-23h shall require that the application be executed in the state. An applicant who is unable to write may cause the applicant’s name to be signed on the application form by an authorized agent who shall, in the space provided for the signature, write the name of the applicant followed by the word “by” and the agent’s own signature. The completed application may be mailed or returned in person to the office of the registrars of voters or the office of the town clerk of the applicant’s town of residence or a voter registration agency. If the applicant entrusts the applicant’s application to another person or to such a voter registration agency for mailing or return to the registrars of voters, such person or agency shall immediately mail or return the application. Any such voter registration agency shall also provide the applicant with an application receipt, on which the agency shall record (A) the date that the agency received the application, using an official date stamp bearing the name of the agency, and (B) the party affiliation, if any, of the applicant. The agency shall provide such receipt whether the application was submitted in person or by mail. The town clerk shall promptly forward any application which the town clerk receives to the registrars of voters. Such application form shall be provided by or authorized by the Secretary of the State.

(c) Forthwith upon receipt of a registration application in the office of the registrars of voters, the registrar shall mark such date on the application and review the application to determine whether the applicant has properly completed it and is legally qualified to register. Forthwith upon completing his review, the registrar shall (1) indicate on the application whether the application has been accepted or rejected, (2) mail a notice to the applicant, (3) indicate on the application the date on which such notice is mailed, and (4) provide a copy of such notice to the other registrar. If the registrar determines that the applicant has not properly completed the application or is not legally qualified to register, the notice shall indicate that the application has been rejected and shall state any reason for rejection. If the registrar determines that the applicant has properly completed the application and is legally qualified to register, the notice shall indicate that the application has been accepted. A notice of acceptance or a notice of rejection shall be sent (A) not later than four days after receipt of an application during the period beginning on the forty-ninth day before an election and ending on the twenty-first day before such election, (B) on the day of receipt of an application if it is received (i) during the period beginning on the twentieth day before such election and ending on the seventh day before such election, (ii) during the period beginning on the sixth day before an election and ending on election day if the application has been received by the seventh day before an election by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by a voter registration agency, (iii) during the period beginning on the twenty-first day before a primary and ending on the fifth day before a primary, or (iv) during the period beginning on the fourth day before a primary and ending at twelve o’clock noon on the last weekday before a primary, if the application has been postmarked by the fifth day before the primary and is received in the office of the registrars of voters during such period or if the application is received by the fifth day before a primary by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by a voter registration agency, and (C) within ten days of receipt of an application at any other time. A notice of acceptance shall be sent by first-class mail with instructions on the envelope that it be returned if not deliverable at the address shown on the envelope. A notice of acceptance shall indicate the effective date of the applicant’s registration and enrollment, the date of the next regularly scheduled election or primary in which the applicant shall be eligible to vote and the applicant’s precinct and polling place. If a notice of acceptance of an application is returned undelivered, the registrars shall forthwith take the necessary action in accordance with section 9-35 or 9-43, notwithstanding the May first deadline in section 9-35. An applicant for admission as an elector pursuant to this section and section 9-23h may only be admitted as an elector by a registrar of voters of the town of his residence. Not later than December thirty-first, annually, the Secretary of the State shall establish an official calendar of all deadlines set forth in this subsection for regularly scheduled elections and primaries to be held in the following calendar year.

(d) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the privileges of an elector for any applicant for admission under this section and section 9-23h shall attach immediately upon approval by the registrar, and the registrars shall enter the name of the elector on the registry list.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, if a mailed application is postmarked, or if a delivered application is received in the office of the registrars of voters, after the seventh day before an election or after the fifth day before a primary, the privileges of an elector shall not attach until the day after such election or primary, as the case may be. In such event, the registrars of voters may contact such applicant, either by telephone or mail, in order to inform such applicant of the effect of such late received mail-in application and any applicable deadline for applying for admission in person.

(3) If an application is received after the seventh day before an election or after the fifth day before a primary by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by a voter registration agency, the privileges of an elector shall not attach until the day after the election or primary, as the case may be, or on the day the registrar approves it, whichever is later.

(4) If on the day of an election or primary, the name of an applicant does not appear on the official check list, such applicant may present to the moderator at the polls either a notice of acceptance received through the mail or an application receipt that was previously provided to the applicant pursuant to section 9-19e, subsection (b) of section 9-19h, subsection (b) of this section or section 9-23n. If an applicant presents said notice or receipt, and either the registrars of voters find the original application or the applicant submits a new application at the polls, the registrar, or assistant registrar upon notice to and approval by the registrar, shall add such person’s name and address to the official check list on such day and the person shall be allowed to vote if otherwise eligible to vote and the person presents to the checkers at the polling place a preprinted form of identification pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-261.

(e) A registration application filed under this section shall be rejected if the application (1) has not been signed or dated by the applicant or the authorized agent of the applicant pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, (2) does not indicate the applicant’s date of birth or bona fide residence, (3) does not indicate United States citizenship, provided the registrars of voters have contacted such applicant to provide an opportunity to answer such question, or (4) is determined by the Secretary of the State to be substantially defective. No registration application filed under this section shall be rejected if the application fails to provide the applicant’s Social Security number or the zip code of the applicant’s bona fide residence.

(f) Upon admission of an applicant under subsection (d) of this section, who indicated on his registration application that he changed residence since voting last in Connecticut, the registrar of voters of the town of such applicant’s current residence shall notify the registrar of any other town who accepted the voter’s last registration and the registrar of the town of the voter’s last residence, if different. Notification shall be made upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State. A registrar receiving such a notification shall delete the elector’s name from the registry list.

(g) All provisions of the general statutes relating to electors, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, shall apply to electors admitted under the provisions of this section.

(h) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section and section 9-23h.

Sec. 9-23h. Application form. The application provided for in section 9-23g shall provide spaces for the following information for each applicant: (1) Name, (2) bona fide residence, including street number, street address, apartment number if applicable, town and zip code, (3) telephone number, (4) date of birth, (5) whether the applicant is registered as an elector in any other town in the state of Connecticut or in any other state, and if so, the applicant’s last previous voting residence, (6) whether the applicant is a United States citizen, (7) whether the applicant will be eighteen years of age on or before election day, (8) party affiliation, if any, (9) the applicant’s signature and date of signature, and (10) the applicant’s Connecticut motor vehicle operator’s license number or, if none, the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number. The spaces for the applicant’s telephone number and party affiliation shall indicate that such information does not have to be provided. On any such application printed on or after January 1, 2006, the space for the applicant’s party affiliation shall also include a list of the names of the major parties, as defined in section 9-372, as options for the applicant. The spaces regarding United States citizenship and whether the applicant will be eighteen years of age on or before election day shall indicate that if the applicant answers “No” to either question, the applicant may not complete the voter registration form. No Social Security number on any such form filed prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed to the public or to any governmental agency. The application shall contain a notice that if the applicant does not receive a notice of acceptance or rejection of the application from the office of the registrars of voters for the municipality in which the applicant resides, the applicant should contact said office. The application shall also contain any other information, questions or instructions prescribed by the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-23i. Prohibition on witnessing official charging a fee. Section 9-23i is repealed, effective January 1, 1994.

Sec. 9-23j. Definition. As used in sections 9-7b and 9-12, subsection (a) of section 9-17, sections 9-19b, 9-19e, 9-19g, 9-19h, 9-19i, 9-20, 9-21, 9-23a, 9-23g, 9-23h, 9-23k to 9-23o, inclusive, 9-26, 9-31a, 9-32, 9-35, 9-35b, 9-35c, 9-40a, 9-42, 9-43, 9-50a, 9-56 and 9-59, “public assistance offices” means offices of state agencies that administer or provide services under the supplemental nutrition assistance, Medicaid, Women, Infants and Children, and temporary family assistance programs.

Sec. 9-23k. National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Coordination of state responsibilities. Enforcement. The Secretary of the State shall be the chief state election official responsible for coordination of state responsibilities under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, except that the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall be responsible for the investigation of any complaint alleging a violation of sections 9-7b and 9-12, subsection (a) of section 9-17, sections 9-19b, 9-19e, 9-19g to 9-19k, inclusive, 9-20, 9-21, 9-23a, 9-23g, 9-23h, 9-23j to 9-23o, inclusive, 9-26, 9-31a, 9-32, 9-35, 9-35b, 9-35c, 9-40a, 9-42, 9-43, 9-50a, 9-56 and 9-59 and shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of said sections by use of its powers as prescribed in section 9-7b.

Sec. 9-23l. Mail voter registration application form prescribed by Federal Election Commission. Registrars of voters shall accept the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Federal Election Commission pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, as an application for admission as an elector for all elections in Connecticut. The procedures in subsections (c), (d), (f) and (g) of section 9-23g which are not inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, shall apply to applications made under this section.

Sec. 9-23m. Secretary to make form available. Changes to conform to federal law. The Secretary of the State shall make available for distribution the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Federal Election Commission pursuant to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time. The secretary may make any changes in any forms required by this title which, in the opinion of the secretary, are necessary to cause said forms to conform to the provisions of applicable federal law.

Sec. 9-23n. Voter registration agencies. Duties. (a) As used in this section, “voter registration agency” means (1) public assistance offices, (2) all offices in the state that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities, (3) libraries that are open to the public, and (4) such other appropriate offices as the Secretary of the State shall designate in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time.

(b) Voter registration agencies shall (1) distribute mail voter registration application forms, (2) assist applicants for such assistance or services in completing voter registration application forms, except for applicants who refuse such assistance, (3) accept completed voter registration application forms and provide each applicant with an application receipt, on which the agency shall record the date that the agency received the application, using an official date stamp bearing the name of the agency, and (4) immediately transmit all such applications to the registrars of voters of the town of voting residence of the applicants. The agency shall provide such receipt whether the application was submitted in person or by mail. If a registration application is accepted within five days before the last day for registration to vote in a regular election, the application shall be transmitted to the registrars of voters of the town of voting residence of the applicant not later than five days after the date of acceptance. The voter registration agency shall indicate on the completed mail voter registration application form, without indicating the identity of the voter registration agency, the date of its acceptance by such agency, to ensure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election if it is received by the registration agency by the last day for registration to vote in an election. If a state-funded program primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities provides services to a person with a disability at the person’s home, the agency shall provide such voter registration services at the person’s home. The procedures in subsections (c), (d), (f) and (g) of section 9-23g that are not inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, shall apply to applications made under this section. Officials and employees of such voter registration agencies are not admitting officials, as defined in section 9-17a, and may not restore, under the provisions of section 9-46a, electoral privileges of persons convicted of a felony.

Sec. 9-23o. Distribution of form by voter registration agencies. Declinations. Assistance. A voter registration agency, as defined in section 9-23n shall comply with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, and shall distribute with each application for service or assistance provided by the agency, and with each recertification, renewal or change of address form relating to such service or assistance a mail voter registration application form approved by the Secretary of the State unless the applicant declines to register to vote pursuant to the provisions of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time. Such declination shall be in writing, except in the case of an application for service or assistance provided by a library, or a recertification, renewal or change of address form relating to such library service or assistance. Such voter registration agency shall provide each applicant to register to vote the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of the registration application form as is provided by the agency with regard to the completion of its own forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.

Sec. 9-23p. Public institutions of higher education to distribute voter registration application forms and provide assistance. Each public institution of higher education shall (1) distribute mail voter registration application forms, and (2) assist applicants who request assistance in completing voter registration application forms.

Sec. 9-23q. State-wide student voter registration drive. The Secretary of the State shall annually designate, after consultation with registrars of voters, a period of time between January first and May thirty-first for a state-wide student voter registration drive and shall coordinate and publicize such drive.

Sec. 9-23r. Submission of identifying information with mail voter registration application. (a) On or after January 1, 2003, any person who is applying, by mail, to register to vote for the first time in this state may submit as part of such voter registration application: (1) A copy of a current and valid photo identification, (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows the name and address of the voter, (3) a valid Connecticut motor vehicle operator’s license number, or (4) the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number. Members of the armed forces and persons entitled to use the federal post card application for absentee ballots under section 9-153a are not required to provide identification when registering by mail. No information submitted as part of a voter registration application under this subsection shall be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act pursuant to chapter 14, except for the name, address, date of birth and telephone number of the applicant.

(b) If an individual submits such information pursuant to this section as part of the individual’s voter registration application and, with respect to subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section, the registrars of voters are able to match the information submitted with an existing Connecticut identification record bearing the same number, name and date of birth as provided, such individual shall not be required to produce identification when voting in person or by absentee ballot and may sign a statement as described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-261 in lieu of presenting identification when voting in person.

(c) Any additional documentation submitted as part of the voter registration application pursuant to this section may be destroyed by the registrars of voters after verification pursuant to the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time.

(d) If an individual described in subsection (a) of this section does not submit the identification described in subsection (a) of this section as part of the individual’s application for admission as an elector, when the individual has entered the polling place in an election for federal office, the individual shall present: (1) A current and valid photo identification, or (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. If an individual does not meet the requirements of this subsection in an election for federal office, such individual may cast a provisional ballot prescribed under sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

(e) If an individual described in subsection (a) of this section does not submit the identification described in subsection (a) of this section as part of the individual’s application for admission as an elector, and if the individual votes by absentee ballot in an election for federal office, the individual shall enclose in the outer absentee ballot envelope, and not in the inner envelope with the ballot: (1) A copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. If an individual does not meet the requirements of this subsection in an election for federal office, such individual’s absentee ballot shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 9-150a and treated as a provisional ballot for federal office only, pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

Sec. 9-24. Admission as electors of persons in armed forces; definitions. As used in sections 9-25 to 9-31, inclusive, the term “members of the armed forces” shall include members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force or Merchant Marine of the United States, or any of their respective components.

Sec. 9-25. Admission of members of the armed forces as electors. The town clerk or assistant town clerk or either registrar of voters or deputy or assistant registrar, on any week day and at any time before five o’clock p.m. on the last week day before any regular election, when requested in writing by any member of the armed forces desiring to be made an elector, or by any former member of the armed forces discharged therefrom within the calendar year immediately preceding such request, may forthwith examine the qualifications of such person and admit him to the elector’s oath if he is qualified.

Sec. 9-25a. Definitions. As used in this section and sections 9-26 and 9-28, “armed forces” has the meaning provided in section 27-103; “member of the Merchant Marine” means a person, other than a member of the armed forces, employed as an officer or member of the crew of a vessel documented under the laws of the United States, or of a vessel owned by the United States, or of a vessel of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States, or a person, other than a member of the armed forces, enrolled with the United States for employment, or for training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as an officer or member of the crew of any such vessel, but does not include persons so employed, or enrolled for such employment or for training for such employment, or maintained for such emergency relief services, on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways; “dependent” means any person who in fact is dependent; and “induction into the armed forces” shall be construed to include the latest reenlistment in the armed forces.

Sec. 9-26. Application of member of armed forces or related group or person temporarily residing outside of the United States who is unable to appear in person. Any person who, because of service in the armed forces, membership in the United States Merchant Marine, membership in a religious or welfare group or agency attached to and serving with the armed forces or civilian employment with the United States or because he is a spouse or dependent of any such person, and any person who because of temporary residence outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia, may, at any time, in the manner and upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, make application, in person or by mail, to the town clerk of such town for such examination and for admission as an elector. Upon such form, signed by the applicant, he shall state under penalties of perjury, his name, bona fide residence by street and number, if any, in such town and date of birth, and that he is, at the time of making such application, a citizen of the United States. He shall also state that he is (1) a member of the armed forces, of the merchant marine or of a religious or welfare group or agency attached to and serving with the armed forces, (2) a civilian employee of the United States, (3) a spouse or dependent of any person described in subdivision (1) or (2), or (4) a person temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia. The person shall also state the date of his induction into such armed forces or the date of his joining the merchant marine or such religious or welfare group or agency or of his entering United States employment or moving temporarily outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia; whether his privileges as an elector are forfeited by reason of conviction of crime; and whether he is, at the time of making such application, registered as an elector in any other town in this or any other state. The application form shall provide for application for enrollment in any political party and shall indicate that such enrollment is optional. No Social Security number on any such form filed prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed to the public or to any governmental agency. The town clerk may accept such fully completed form as evidence of the qualifications of the applicant to be admitted as an elector. The application for admission as an elector shall include a statement that (A) specifies each eligibility requirement, (B) contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement and (C) requires the signature of the applicant under penalty of perjury. In lieu of the application form prescribed by the secretary under this section, any such person may apply for registration and enrollment on the federal postcard application form provided pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 100 Stat. 924, 42 USC 1973ff et seq., as amended from time to time, or any other applicable law.

Sec. 9-27. Elector’s oath. Section 9-27 is repealed, effective January 1, 1995.

Sec. 9-27a. Enrollment application sent to applicant for absentee admission. Section 9-27a is repealed.

Sec. 9-28. Town clerk to mail forms. Either registrar of any town may, in writing, direct the town clerk to mail a copy of the form prescribed in section 9-26, with an envelope for its return, to the last-known address of any person who, in the opinion of such registrar possesses the qualifications required of an applicant for admission as an elector under the provisions of section 9-26, and the town clerk shall forthwith comply with such direction. Upon request to the town clerk by any person, a copy of such form, with an envelope for its return, shall be mailed by the town clerk to any member of the armed forces, of the merchant marine or of any religious or welfare group or agency attached to and serving with the armed forces or any civilian employee of the United States employed outside of this state or to the spouse or a dependent of any of such persons or to any person temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia, or it may be delivered in person if so requested.

Sec. 9-29. Printing and distribution of forms. The Secretary of the State shall cause to be printed, at the expense of the state, a sufficient quantity of such forms and envelopes and shall distribute to each town such number of copies thereof as the town clerk thereof requests or as the Secretary of the State deems sufficient.

Sec. 9-30. Action by town clerk. Notice. Appeal from rejection of application. All such applications shall be examined by the town clerk and, after such examination, he shall decide upon the right of the applicant to be admitted as an elector. If the town clerk decides that such applicant possesses all the qualifications required by law of applicants for admission as electors, he shall so certify, in writing, upon the form submitted by such applicant, who shall thereupon be an elector and shall be so advised in writing by the clerk. Said clerk shall forthwith notify, by mail, any person whose application to be admitted as an elector under the provisions of sections 9-26 to 9-29, inclusive, is denied, with his reasons therefor. The applicant may appeal the rejection of his application under section 9-31l.

Sec. 9-31. Application of other statutes. All provisions of the general statutes relating to electors, not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 9-24 to 9-30, inclusive, shall apply to electors admitted under the provisions of said sections, except that the provisions of section 9-21 shall not apply to electors admitted under the provisions of sections 9-26 to 9-30, inclusive.

Sec. 9-31a. Special admission procedures for permanently physically disabled persons. (a) As used in this section and section 9-31b, “permanently physically disabled person” means a person who, by reason of a major defect or infirmity of body, whether congenital or acquired by accident, injury or disease, is permanently physically incapacitated to a degree that prevents him and will continue to prevent him from appearing in person at the office of the town clerk or registrars of the town where he temporarily or permanently resides.

(b) Any permanently physically disabled person may, in the manner prescribed under this section and upon a form as prescribed under section 9-31b, apply to the town clerk or either registrar of voters of such town for examination and admission as an elector of any Connecticut town. (1) In the case of a permanently physically disabled person whose qualifications as to age, citizenship or residence in such town are attained on or before the last session for admission of electors prior to an election to be held in the town, the application shall be submitted so that it will be received by such town clerk or either registrar of voters not later than such last session. Upon receipt of the application, the town clerk or either registrar of voters shall notify the applicant of the day, and the hour, such day to be within ten days of the receipt of the application, at which an admitting official shall meet with the applicant at the temporary or permanent residence of the applicant. (2) In the case of a permanently physically disabled person whose qualifications as to age, citizenship or residence in such town are attained after the last session for admission of electors prior to an election to be held in the town, the application shall be submitted so that it will be received by such town clerk or either registrar of voters not later than the opening of the limited session for the admission of electors held, under section 9-17, on the last weekday prior to the election. Upon receipt of the application, the town clerk or either registrar of voters shall notify the applicant of the day, and the hour, such day and hour to be not later than 5:00 p.m. on the last weekday before the election, at which an admitting official shall meet with the applicant at the temporary or permanent residence of the applicant.

(c) Such admitting official shall meet at the appointed time with the applicant for the purpose of examining his qualifications as an elector and for the purpose of admitting him as an elector if the applicant is found qualified. Such official shall make available to the applicant at such time, upon request, a copy of the statement that specifies each eligibility requirement and contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement (1) in video form in accordance with procedures established by the registrars of voters and (2) in braille, large print and audio form. Such official shall provide the applicant with a written notice of approval or disapproval at that time, except as otherwise provided in section 9-19e. Any person making application for registration under this section shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector and party enrollment, if applicable, from the time such application for admission as an elector is approved by the town clerk or registrars of voters of his voting residence.

Sec. 9-31b. Application form. Such application shall be in form substantially as follows:

APPLICATION OF PERMANENTLY PHYSICALLY DISABLED
PERSON FOR ADMISSION AS AN ELECTOR

To the Town Clerk of the town of …. or to the registrar of voters of the …. Party of the town of …. I hereby apply for admission as an elector:

(1) My name is …. (last name) (first name) (initial).

(2) My bona fide residence is …. (street and number), but I am presently residing at …. (street, number and town if different from residence above).

(3) I am a permanently physically disabled person and my permanent physical disability prevents me and will continue to prevent me from appearing in person at your office.

(4) I am a United States Citizen who has attained the age of eighteen and my electoral privileges are not forfeited by reason of conviction of any disfranchising crime.

Dated at …., Connecticut, this __ day of __, 20_.

(Signature of Applicant)

Sec. 9-31c. Physician’s certificate. Section 9-31c is repealed.

Sec. 9-31d. Town clerk or registrar to provide forms. The form of application provided for in section 9-31a shall be provided by the town clerk or either registrar of voters of the town in which the individual desiring to make application resides.

Secs. 9-31e to 9-31k. Transfer of voting privileges between towns. Application for transfer and enrollment. Cancellation of registration in prior town. Town clerk’s compensation. Reexamination of rejected applicant. Appeal from decision of admitting official. Sections 9-31e to 9-31k, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-31l. Appeals of decisions re right of person to be or remain an elector. (a)(1) A person who is denied admission as an elector may appeal a decision of an admitting official of a town concerning the right of such person to be or remain an elector. Any such appeal shall be made to the registrars of voters of such town, except that if the admitting official who made such decision is a registrar of voters, the appeal shall be made to the board for admission of electors of such town.

(2) Notice of an appeal shall be in writing and delivered to the registrars or to the board for admission of electors. Within seven days after receipt of a notice of appeal, the registrars or the board, as the case may be, shall give written notice of the time and place where such appeal will be heard to the appellant and to the admitting official whose decision is the subject of the appeal. Such appeal shall be heard within twenty-one days after notice of the appeal is delivered to the registrars or the board. Neither a registrar whose decision is the subject of the appeal nor a registrar who is an appellant shall be a voting member of the board which hears the appeal.

(3) The registrars or the board may receive sworn testimony and any other evidence relating to the qualifications of such person to be or remain an elector.

(4) Within seven days after hearing an appeal, the registrars or the board shall render a decision and shall send written notice of the decision to the appellant and the admitting official whose decision was the subject of the appeal.

(b) (1) The person whose right to be or remain an elector is in dispute may appeal the decision of the registrars or the board for the admission of electors under subsection (a) of this section to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If an appeal is not made to the commission as provided in this subsection, the decision of the registrars or the board shall be final.

(2) Any such appeal shall be in writing and filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission at its principal offices not later than fourteen days following the decision of the registrars or the board. A copy of any such notice of appeal shall also be delivered within such time to the registrars or the board that rendered the decision under subsection (a) of this section.

(3) The registrars or the board shall, not later than ten days after receipt of a copy of the notice of appeal, deliver the record of the hearing of the registrars or board under subsection (a) of this section to the commission.

(4) The commission shall hear such appeal not later than twenty-one days after notice of appeal is filed with the commission. Such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and section 4-181a. The commission may consider the record of the hearing delivered by the registrars or the board and may examine witnesses, documents and any other evidence that it determines may have a bearing on the proper determination of the issues brought on appeal. The commission’s hearing shall be recorded.

(5) The commission shall render its decision not later than sixty days after the close of its hearing, except that an extension of time may be granted by the commission upon application of any party that sets forth circumstances that the commission determines is appropriate to granting an extension of time. The commission may also initiate an extension of time for rendering its decision, after written notice to the parties, provided all of the parties before the commission give their prior written consent.

(6) The decision of the commission shall determine the person’s right to be or remain an elector. If any such decision is adverse to such individual’s right, the commission shall order both registrars to remove the elector’s name from the town’s active and inactive registry list and any enrollment list. Any person whose name has been so removed may reapply for admission as an elector with the registrars of voters of the same town at any time. If such application is made within four years after the commission’s decision, both registrars may approve such application only after they find that there has been a substantial change in the circumstances that provided the basis for the commission’s decision and that the individual is eligible to be an elector. Registrars who approve an individual’s application for admission within this time period without a substantial change in circumstances may be subject to a civil penalty imposed by the commission in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-7b if the commission determines, following a written complaint filed with the commission pursuant to said section 9-7b, that the registrars’ action was without good cause and constitutes a wilful violation of a prior order of the commission.

Sec. 9-32. Canvass to ascertain changes of residence. (a) In each municipality the registrars, between January first and May first, annually, shall cause either (1) a complete house to house canvass to be made in person of each residence on each street, avenue or road within such municipality, (2) a complete canvass to be made by mail of each residence located on each street, avenue or road within such municipality, provided, upon agreement of both registrars, the National Change of Address System of the United States Postal Service may be used instead of such mailing, (3) a complete canvass to be made by telephone of each residence located on each street, avenue or road within such municipality, or (4) a complete canvass of each residence within such municipality by any combination of such methods, for the purpose of ascertaining the name of any elector formerly residing on such street, avenue or road who has removed therefrom; provided in the odd-numbered years, no canvass need be conducted by the registrars in a town which holds its regular municipal election on the first Monday of May in odd-numbered years. The Secretary of the State shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 setting forth the procedure to be followed in conducting any such canvass by either mail or telephone.

(b) No elector’s name shall be removed from the registry list, pursuant to section 9-35, unless (1) the elector confirms in writing that the elector has moved out of the municipality, or (2) the elector has been sent, by forwardable mail, a notice and a postage prepaid preaddressed return card in accordance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, four years prior to removal from the registry list and such elector has failed to respond and has not restored the elector’s name to the active registry list under section 9-42 or voted in an election or primary in the municipality during the period beginning on the date of the notice and ending four years later. If a registrar or a registrar’s designee conducts a telephone canvass, a telephone call by any such person shall constitute an attempt to contact the elector only if the elector’s household has a published telephone number and the telephone is in operating order. If a registrar, or a registrar’s designee, during a telephone canvass contacts a telecommunication device for the deaf in an elector’s household, such call shall not constitute an attempt to contact the elector unless the registrar, or the registrar’s designee, uses a similar device or uses a message relay center. No elector’s name shall be removed from the active registry list pursuant to said section 9-35 as a result of information obtained during a telephone canvass, unless the registrar believes such information is reliable and sufficient to enable the registrar to determine if the elector is entitled to remain on the list under the provisions of this chapter.

(c) During any such canvass, a canvasser may distribute nonpartisan literature, prescribed by the Secretary of the State, which describes opportunities for voter registration. No Social Security number obtained by the registrars during the canvass prior to January 1, 2000, may be disclosed to the public or to any governmental agency. Each municipality shall provide its registrars of voters with funds sufficient to conduct the annual canvass in accordance with the requirements of this section. Not later than the thirtieth day following each regular election held in a municipality, the registrars of the municipality shall file with the Secretary of the State a certificate that the canvass was conducted prior to the election in accordance with the requirements of this section. The certificate shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, shall specify the method or methods by which, and the date or dates on which, the canvass was conducted, and shall be signed under penalty of false statement by all registrars of voters of the municipality.

Secs. 9-33 and 9-34. Record of applicants; change of name of married woman. Hours of sessions of registrars. Sections 9-33 and 9-34 are repealed.

Sec. 9-35. Making and arrangement of preliminary list. Active and inactive registry lists. Removal of names. Change of address within municipality. (a) The registrars, on the Tuesday of the fifth week before each regular election, shall be in session for the purpose of completing a correct list of all electors who will be entitled to vote at such election. Such registry list shall consist of an active registry list and an inactive registry list. Such session shall be held during such hours between nine o’clock a.m. and five o’clock p.m. as the registrars find necessary to complete the list. Notice of such session shall be given at least five days before the session by publication in a newspaper having a circulation in such municipality, if any, and by posting on the signpost therein, if any, or at some other exterior place near the office of the town clerk. Such publication shall not be required to be in the form of a legal advertisement.

(b) At such session and on any day except on the day of an election or primary, the registrars shall remove from the list the name of each elector who has died, who has been disfranchised or who has confirmed in writing that the elector has moved out of the municipality, except electors entitled to remain on such list under the provisions of this chapter. An elector shall be deemed to have confirmed in writing that the elector has moved out of the municipality if (1) the elector has submitted a change of address form for purposes of a state motor vehicle operator’s license, unless the elector states on the form that the change of address is not for voter registration purposes, (2) the elector has submitted a change of address form to a voter registration agency, as defined in section 9-23n, and such agency has provided such change of address to the registrars of voters, or (3) the registrars of voters have received a cancellation of previous registration from any other election official indicating that such elector has registered as an elector outside such municipality.

(c) Whenever the registrars of voters of a town remove from the registry list the name of an elector who has submitted a change of address to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or a voter registration agency under subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of this section, indicating that the elector has moved out of such town, the registrars shall send the elector, by forwardable mail to the elector’s former address from such list or current address in the new town, (1) a notice of removal, (2) information explaining how to have the elector’s name restored to such list, which shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, and (3) a mail-in voter registration application which can be used by the elector to apply for admission as an elector in the new town. If such notice, information and application are sent to the elector’s former address and are returned undeliverable, the registrars shall mail such documents to the elector’s address in the new town.

(d) The registrars shall enter the names on such list by street and number of the house, when the houses are numbered, so that there shall be entered on the list first, the street, avenue or road; second, the number of the house or residence in numerical order or, if the registrars of any town find it more convenient, by odd and even numbers in numerical order; and third, the names of the electors in such house in alphabetical order. The names of any electors who cannot be so listed shall be listed alphabetically in the voting district wherein any such elector is a bona fide resident. The registrars of voters may consecutively number the names on the registry list, may include voter identification numbers for the names on the registry list, and may include a mark, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State, next to the name of each first-time registrant on the system who registers to vote on or after January 1, 2003, and does not provide identification with his or her mail-in voter registration application as provided in the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, provided such list shall comply in all respects with the requirements of law other than for the addition of such numbers and marks. The registrars shall not use Social Security numbers for any such voter identification numbers.

(e) In any case in which the registrars have obtained reliable information of an elector’s change of address within the municipality, the registrars shall enter the name of such elector on the registry list at the place where the elector then resides, provided, if such reliable information is the National Change of Address System of the United States Postal Service, the registrar shall change the registry list and send the elector a notice of the change by forwardable mail and a postage prepaid preaddressed return form by which the elector may verify or correct the address information. If during the canvass the registrars determine that an elector has moved out of the municipality and such elector has not confirmed in writing that the elector has moved out of the municipality, the registrars shall, not later than May first, send to the elector, by forwardable mail, a notice required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, together with a postage prepaid preaddressed return card on which the elector may state the elector’s current address. In the year of a presidential preference primary, the registrars shall send such notice not earlier than the date of such primary. If the registrar does not receive the return card within thirty days after it is sent, the elector’s name, including the name of an elector who has not voted in two consecutive federal elections, shall be placed on the inactive registry list for four years. At the expiration of such period of time on the inactive registry list, such name shall be removed from the registry list. If such elector applies to restore the elector’s name to the active registry list or votes during such period, the elector’s name shall be restored to the active registry list. Such registrars shall retain a duplicate copy or record of each such notice in their office or, if the registrars do not have a permanent office, in the office space provided under section 9-5a, and shall note on such duplicate copy or record the date on which such notice was mailed. In each municipality, any elector, upon change of residence within the municipality, may cause the elector’s registration to be transferred to the elector’s new address by presenting to the registrars a new application for voter registration. The registrars shall thereupon enter the elector’s name on the list at the elector’s new residence; provided no transfer of registration shall be made on the registry list on election day without the consent of each registrar.

Sec. 9-35a. Posting of names removed from registry list. Immediately after the close of the session or immediately after the sending of notice of intended removal provided for in section 9-35, the registrars of voters shall post at the town hall or municipal building in the municipality in which they serve, in a place readily accessible to the public, a list of the names of the electors whose names were removed from the registry list at such session or will be removed on the date specified in section 9-35, together with the address of each such elector as it appeared on the registry list at the time the name was so removed. Together with such list, and as a part thereof, such registrars shall also cause to be posted a statement that complete information as to such removal and as to the privileges and remedies of those whose names were removed from the registry list is available from such registrars, specifying when and where such registrars are available for such purpose and, in the case of registrars of voters having office hours, specifying such office hours.

Sec. 9-35b. Relinquishment of registration by elector. Except during the period between the last session for the admission of electors prior to an election and the day following that election, any elector of any municipality who desires to relinquish his rights as an elector and to have his name erased from the registry list shall make a signed written request to the registrars of voters of such municipality. Upon receipt of such application, the registrars shall remove the elector’s name from the registry list and any enrollment list. Any person whose name has been removed from the registry list pursuant to this section may reapply for admission as an elector at any time, without prejudice on account of such removal. In the event such person is admitted as an elector, the registrar of the municipality shall notify the registrars of the municipality where such person resided at the time of his relinquishment that his electoral privileges have been restored.

Sec. 9-35c. Names on inactive registry list not to be counted for computing required number of petition signatures, minimum percentage of voting electors.Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-238, 9-406 and 9-436 and other provisions of the general statutes, the names of electors on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35 shall not be counted for purposes of computing the number of petition signatures required. Each elector on such inactive registry list who, in the determination of the registrars, has signed a petition pursuant to the general statutes, giving the same address as appears on the inactive registry list, shall forthwith be placed on the active registry list compiled under said section 9-35. Each such elector shall be counted for purposes of future computations of the number of signatures required on future petitions issued for other electoral events. The names of electors on the inactive registry list compiled pursuant to section 9-35 shall not be counted for purposes of computing the minimum percentage of the number of electors required in any charter or special act, if such charter or special act requires approval of a referendum by a minimum percentage of electors qualified on the last-completed registry list or has a similar requirement.

Sec. 9-36. Availability of preliminary registry list. Distribution. The list for which provision is made in section 9-35 shall be termed the preliminary registry list and such list shall be available in the office of the registrars of voters for public inspection and copies shall be made available for distribution by the registrars of voters. Whenever the registrars of voters are not in their office, such list shall be available at another municipal office. The registrars of voters shall, upon request, give to any candidate for election a copy of the preliminary registry list for each voting district for which such person is a candidate.

Sec. 9-37. Final registry list. Availability of registrars of voters. The registrars of voters or the assistant registrars of voters shall be available for at least one day during the fourteen-day period immediately before all elections for revisions and corrections of the preliminary list which, when completed, shall be termed “the final registry list” for such election. In each municipality, availability of the registrars of voters shall be the posted office hours in such municipality for the registrars of voters.

Sec. 9-38. Availability of final registry list. Updated registry list. The registrars of voters in all towns shall produce a final registry list in accordance with the provisions of section 9-37 and certified by such registrars of voters to be correct. Such final registry list and an updated list that contains the names and addresses of electors to be transferred, restored or added to such list, shall be available in the municipal clerk’s office not later than the day following the last day that an elector may make changes to the elector’s registration and shall be available in the registrars of voters’ office for public inspection. Whenever the registrars of voters are not in their office, such list shall be available at another municipal office.

Sec. 9-39. Distribution of copies of final registry list. The registrars of voters of each municipality shall print copies of the final registry list for distribution in such municipality and in all the voting districts located therein. The registrars shall, upon request, produce for any candidate for election the final registry list for each voting district for which such person is a candidate and shall maintain such list, either on paper or in electronic format, for a period of two years.

Secs. 9-39a and 9-40. Designation of party affiliation on registry list. Privileges after removal to another municipality. Sections 9-39a and 9-40 are repealed.

Sec. 9-40a. Continuance of residence in certain cases. Procedure for removal of names for failure to vote. (a) No person shall be deemed to have lost his residence in any municipality for purposes of qualification as an elector by reason of his absence therefrom in the service of this state or of the United States, including service in the armed forces or their auxiliaries, nor shall the spouse or dependent of any such person be deemed to have lost his residence in any municipality for such purpose by reason of such absence therefrom; provided such person, except one in the service of the armed forces of the United States or any auxiliary thereof, or his spouse or dependent, shall make written application for continuance on the registry list before each state election. No person shall be deemed to have lost such residence in any municipality by reason of his absence therefrom because of imprisonment on conviction of crime.

(b) Not later than May first in each year in which a canvass of electors is conducted, the registrars of voters shall send the notice of removal and return card required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, to each member of the armed forces of the United States or their auxiliaries, or a spouse or dependent of such member, whose name has not been checked as having voted in at least one election, primary, referendum or town meeting during the four preceding calendar years. If such elector does not return the card within thirty days, the registrars of voters shall place the name of such elector on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35 for four years, and if such name remains on the inactive list for four years, such name shall thereupon be removed from the registry list. Such removal shall not affect the right of such member, spouse or dependent to apply for admission as an elector in such town.

Sec. 9-40b. Continuance of enrollment for purposes of voting in state-wide primary. Section 9-40b is repealed.

Secs. 9-41 to 9-41b. Application for restoration of name to registry list. Restoration to registry list of physically disabled person. Certificate of physician.Sections 9-41 to 9-41b, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-42. Restoration of names to active registry list under certain circumstances. Requirements re completion and use of inactive registry list. (a) If it appears at any time that the name of an elector who was formerly admitted or registered as an elector in a town and who is a bona fide resident of such town has been omitted from the active registry list compiled under section 9-35 by clerical error, the registrars of voters shall add such name to such list; provided no name shall be added to the active registry list on election day without the consent of both registrars of voters.

(b) If it appears at any time that the name of an elector who was formerly admitted or registered as an elector in a town and who is a bona fide resident of such town has been omitted from the active registry list, the registrars of voters shall, upon submission of a new application for voter registration signed by the elector under penalties of false statement, add such name to the active registry list, provided no name shall be added to the active registry list on election day without the consent of both registrars of voters.

(c) The registrars of voters shall cause the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35 to be completed and printed and available to the public. The registrars of voters shall provide copies for use in the polling place on election day. If on election day the name of an elector appears on such inactive registry list, including the name of an elector who has not responded to a confirmation of voting residence notice under subsection (e) of section 9-35 and has not voted in two consecutive federal elections, such name shall be added to the active registry list upon submission of a new application for voter registration signed by the elector, under penalties of false statement, before an election official at the polling place and upon the consent of both registrars of voters or assistant registrars of voters, as the case may be, in the polls.

(d) The name of no elector shall be added to the active registry list under the provisions of this section, unless the elector’s name or some name intended for his name was on the active registry list for at least one of the four years previous.

Sec. 9-42a. Change of name on registry list. Change in name of candidate not to affect name appearing on ballot. (a) On the written request of any elector who identifies himself to the satisfaction of the registrars of voters, such registrars shall make any changes in the name of such elector as it appears on the registry list, provided such elector furnishes reasonable evidence to the registrars that the name as changed is a lawful name of such elector. No such change shall be made between the Tuesday of the fifth week before a regular election and the day of such election.

(b) No such change in the name of a candidate at a primary shall affect the name of the candidate as it appears on the primary ballot. No such change in the name of a major party candidate at an election shall affect the name of such candidate as it appears on the election ballot. No such change in the name of a minor party candidate or a nominating petition candidate for any office at an election shall affect the name of such candidate as it appears on the election ballot.

Sec. 9-43. Procedure for removal of name for nonresidence. When the registrars in any municipality are unable to agree upon the removal from the registry list of such municipality of the name of any elector concerning whom the claim is made by either registrar that such elector does not maintain a residence within such municipality, the registrars shall send to such elector, by registered or certified mail at the address at which his name appears on such list, a notice and return card required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, that his right to have his name retained on such list has been challenged; and, unless such elector has filed with the registrars, not later than seven days before the next succeeding regular election or primary to be held in such municipality, an application for the retention of his electoral privileges therein, the registrars shall place his name on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35. Such challenge may be made, and notice thereof sent, at any time except for the period of five weeks before any regular election to be held in such municipality. Such application for the retention of electoral privileges shall be a signed and sworn application in form substantially as follows:

“I, …., (insert name of elector) an elector of the town of …. (insert name of town) now registered at …. (insert name of street, and number, if any) do hereby state under oath that I maintain a place of abode at …. (insert name of street, and number, if any) within such town; that my absence is temporary from said town for the following reasons: ….; that it is my present intention to maintain a domicile and residence in said town and return thereto whenever the necessity for temporary absence has ceased; that I am not now registered elsewhere as an elector nor have I any present intention so to register.

(Signature of elector)

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this __ day of __, 20.., at ___.

Notary Public or other officer empowered to administer oaths”.

Upon receipt of such application, if either registrar, in writing signed by him, certifies on such application that he believes such claim of residence has sufficient foundation in fact, the name of such elector shall be retained on the active registry list of the municipality and his right to vote therein at the next succeeding regular election or primary shall not be challenged by the registrars because of any question of residence. Otherwise, the name of such elector shall be placed on the inactive registry list for four years and then removed from the registry list. All applications herein provided for shall be kept by the registrars as a permanent record; and, when no application for retention of his electoral privilege is received from any elector whose right to have his name retained on the registry list is challenged under the provisions of this section, the registrars shall keep as a permanent record evidence that the notice required by this section has been sent in the manner provided herein.

Sec. 9-44. Appeal from decisions of registrars. Section 9-44 is repealed.

Sec. 9-45. Removal from registry list of convicted felons who are committed to custody of Commissioner of Correction. (a) The Commissioner of Correction shall, on or before the fifteenth day of each month, transmit to the Secretary of the State a list of all persons who, during the preceding calendar month, have been convicted in the Superior Court of a felony and committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence. Such lists shall include the names, birth dates and addresses of such persons, with the dates of their conviction and the crimes of which such persons have been convicted. The Secretary of the State shall transmit such lists to the registrars of the towns in which such convicted persons resided at the time of their conviction and to the registrars of any towns where the secretary believes such persons may be electors. The registrars of such towns shall compare the same with the list of electors upon their registry lists and, after written notice mailed by certified mail to each of the persons named at the last-known place of address of such person, shall erase such names from the registry lists in their respective towns or voting districts.

(b) Any person who procures such person or another to be registered after having been disfranchised by reason of conviction of crime and committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence, and any person who votes at any election after having forfeited such privileges by reason of conviction of crime and confinement, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars and imprisoned not more than one year.

Sec. 9-46. Forfeiture of electoral rights. (a) A person shall forfeit such person’s right to become an elector and such person’s privileges as an elector upon conviction of a felony and committal to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction for confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence, committal to confinement in a federal correctional institution or facility, or committal to the custody of the chief correctional official of any other state or a county of any other state for confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence in such state or county.

(b) No person who has forfeited and not regained such person’s privileges as an elector, as provided in section 9-46a, may be a candidate for or hold public office.

Sec. 9-46a. Restoration or granting of electoral privileges. (a) A person who has been convicted of a felony and committed to confinement in a federal or other state correctional institution or facility or community residence shall have such person’s electoral privileges restored upon the payment of all fines in conjunction with the conviction and once such person has been discharged from confinement, and, if applicable, parole.

(b) Upon the release from confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence of a person who has been convicted of a felony and committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Correction and, if applicable, the discharge of such person from parole, (1) the person shall have the right to become an elector, (2) the Commissioner of Correction shall give the person a document certifying that the person has been released from such confinement and, if applicable, has been discharged from parole, (3) if the person was an elector at the time of such felony conviction and, after such release and any such discharge, is residing in the same municipality in which the person resided at the time of such felony conviction, the person’s electoral privileges shall be restored, and (4) if the person was an elector at the time of such felony conviction and, after such release and any such discharge, is residing in a different municipality or if the person was not an elector at the time of such felony conviction, the person’s electoral privileges shall be restored or granted upon submitting to an admitting official satisfactory proof of the person’s qualifications to be admitted as an elector. The provisions of subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this subsection shall not apply to any person convicted of a felony for a violation of any provision of this title until such person has been discharged from any parole or probation for such felony.

(c) The registrars of voters of the municipality in which a person is admitted as an elector pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, within thirty days after the date on which such person is admitted, shall notify the registrars of voters of the municipality wherein such person resided at the time of such person’s conviction that such person’s electoral rights have been so restored.

(d) The Commissioner of Correction shall establish procedures to inform those persons who have been convicted of a felony and committed to the custody of said commissioner for confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence, and are eligible to have their electoral privileges restored or granted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, of the right and procedures to have such privileges restored. The Office of Adult Probation shall, within available appropriations, inform such persons who are on probation on January 1, 2002, of their right to become electors and procedures to have their electoral privileges restored, which shall be in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

(e) The Commissioner of Correction shall, on or before the fifteenth day of each month, transmit to the Secretary of the State a list of all persons convicted of a felony and committed to the custody of said commissioner who, during the preceding calendar month, have been released from confinement in a correctional institution or facility or a community residence and, if applicable, discharged from parole. Such lists shall include the names, birth dates and addresses of such persons, with the dates of their convictions and the crimes of which such persons have been convicted. The Secretary of the State shall transmit such lists to the registrars of the municipalities in which such convicted persons resided at the time of their convictions and to the registrars of any municipalities where the secretary believes such persons may be electors.

Secs. 9-47 to 9-50. Commission on forfeited rights. Petitions for restoration of electoral rights; investigation. Hearings; no appeal. Notice to registrars and petitioner of action. Sections 9-47 to 9-50, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-50a. Compilation of changes to active and inactive registry lists. The registrars of voters of each town shall compile a list of (1) all persons whose names were added, restored, removed or erased from the active and inactive registry lists, (2) all electors who changed either their names or addresses, and (3) all persons sent notices required under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, and all persons who have replied to such notices. Such list shall include, but not be limited to, each such person’s or elector’s (A) name, (B) former name, (C) address, (D) former address, (E) voting district, and (F) party affiliation, if any. The registrars shall make each such list available to the public in accordance with the provisions of section 1-210.

Sec. 9-50b. State-wide centralized voter registration system. (a) As used in this section, “state-wide centralized voter registration system” means a computerized system designed and maintained by the Secretary of the State which includes: (1) Voter registration information prescribed by the Secretary, (2) information contained in applications for admission as electors described in section 9-20, (3) information needed to compile registry lists and enrollment lists under sections 9-35 and 9-54, (4) information required by section 9-50a, and (5) other information for use in complying with the provisions of this title.

(b) Not later than July 1, 2003, each registrar of voters shall transmit to the office of the Secretary of the State all elector information required by the office to complete the state-wide centralized voter registration system. Each registrar shall transmit such information in a format prescribed by the Secretary. Not later than September 1, 2003, each registrar of voters shall participate in the state-wide centralized voter registration system in the manner prescribed by the Secretary.

(c) Not later than sixty days after each election or primary, the registrars of voters shall update the state-wide centralized voter registration system and indicate whether the eligible voters on the official registry list for such election or primary voted and, if so, if they voted in person or by absentee ballot.

Sec. 9-50c. Maintenance of state-wide centralized voter registration system. Intrastate and interstate data sharing. (a) The Secretary of the State may enter into an agreement to share information or data with any other state in order to maintain the state-wide centralized voter registration system established pursuant to section 9-50b. If an agency of this state, another state or the federal government provides the Secretary with information or data to be used to maintain such system, the Secretary shall not use such information or data for any purpose except to maintain such system and shall ensure that such information or data is held confidential if such information or data, while in the possession of such other agency or state or federal government, as applicable, was required to be held confidential, except as provided for in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The Secretary of the State may provide such information or data to a nonpartisan third-party vendor for the purpose of maintaining the state-wide centralized voter registration system established pursuant to section 9-50b, provided such vendor’s activities are performed under the supervision of the Secretary and such vendor has entered into an agreement to protect the confidentiality of such information or data.

Sec. 9-51. Enrollment sessions. The registrars shall make changes and corrections in the list of enrolled electors at any time. On the fourteenth day before each primary, the registrars of voters in each town shall hold a mandatory enrollment session for the purpose of making an enrollment of the electors who are entitled to vote in primaries. All enrollment sessions of the registrars of voters shall be held in a public place maintained by the municipality at such hours between twelve o’clock noon and nine o’clock p.m. as said registrars prescribe, provided each such session shall be held for not less than two consecutive hours and provided, in any municipality divided into voting districts in which an enrollment session is held in each such district, the hours of such session in each of the districts shall be uniform. This section shall apply in each municipality, the provisions of any special act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Sec. 9-52. Discretionary enrollment sessions. The registrars of voters in each municipality may hold additional discretionary enrollment sessions for the purpose of making an enrollment of the electors who are entitled to vote in any primary or caucus in such municipality at such other times as all such registrars in such municipality deem necessary; but no such session shall be held on the day when a caucus or primary is held or during the fourteen days preceding a primary or the day before a caucus.

Sec. 9-53. Notice of sessions. The registrars of voters in each municipality in which an enrollment session is to be held shall give notice of such session, and of the purpose, day, hours and place thereof, by publication in a newspaper published in or having a circulation in such municipality, not more than fifteen nor less than five days before such session. Nothing in this section shall require that such publication be in the form of a legal advertisement. In each municipality divided into voting districts, any session for enrollment in such municipality may, if the registrars of voters so decide, be held in each such district by assistant registrars of voters appointed under section 9-192, provided the registrars of voters in the notice shall specify the place in each such district in which such session is to be held. When such a session is so held in each such district by such assistant registrars of voters, within forty-eight hours after the close of each of such sessions, each of such assistant registrars of voters shall deliver to the registrar of whom he is the appointee a true and attested list or lists, as made by such assistant registrars of voters at such session, showing all enrollments and corrections, if any, by them made, together with a list of all applications rejected under the provisions of sections 9-60 and 9-63.

Sec. 9-54. Compilation and maintenance of enrollment lists and list of unaffiliated electors. The registrars of voters shall compile separate lists of all qualified electors making application for enrollment according to the declared political preference of such electors. Before each primary at which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote, under section 9-431, the registrars of voters shall also compile a list of unaffiliated electors which shall be a component of the official checklist to be used at such primary. In those towns having cities or boroughs within, and not coterminous with, their limits, the registrars of voters shall also prepare such lists for use in such cities or boroughs; and when towns, cities or boroughs are divided into wards or voting districts, the registrars shall also prepare such lists for such wards or voting districts. Any town, city, consolidated town and city, or consolidated town and borough may, by vote of its legislative body, require the registrars of voters to designate the party affiliation, if any, of each elector on the registry list with the name of such elector, and, if it is so voted, may provide for the continuance or discontinuance of separate enrollment lists, except as provided in section 9-55. Whenever an elector’s name has been removed from the registry list or transferred upon the registry list because of a change of address within the municipality, pursuant to section 9-35, such name shall also, at the same time, be removed from or transferred upon the enrollment list or upon the list of unaffiliated electors, if applicable. In all municipalities, when a transfer of enrollment between separate lists of the same political party is made because of the removal of an elector from one voting district or ward to another voting district or ward in the same municipality, the registrars of voters shall transfer the name of such elector from the list on which it appears to the enrollment list of the same political party in the voting district or ward to which such elector has removed unless such elector has made application for erasure or transfer of enrollment to the list of another party. All such enrollment lists and lists of unaffiliated electors shall be arranged in the manner provided by section 9-35 for the arrangement of registry lists in such town except as modified by sections 9-51 to 9-65, inclusive.

Sec. 9-55. Printing of complete enrollment lists and lists of unaffiliated electors. (a) The registrars of voters shall cause to be printed at least once during the calendar year a complete enrollment list and shall make such list available to the public upon request.

(b) If a political party authorizes unaffiliated electors to vote in a primary, under section 9-431, and a notice of primary is published, the registrars shall cause a list of all unaffiliated electors eligible to vote in the primary to be printed before such primary. If unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote in only one party’s primary and are authorized to vote for all offices to be contested at the primary, the registrars may print the list of unaffiliated electors in combination with such party’s enrollment list, indicating party affiliation where applicable.

(c) If the legislative body of the municipality votes to eliminate separate enrollment lists under section 9-54 and:

(1) Notices of primaries are published for two parties to be held on the same day, the registrars of voters shall print complete separate enrollment lists and, if unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote in the primary, the registrars of voters shall print a separate list of unaffiliated electors as provided in subsection (b) of this section; or

(2) A notice of primary is published for one party in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote for some but not all offices to be contested at the primary, the registrars of voters shall print a complete separate enrollment list and a separate list of unaffiliated electors as provided in subsection (b) of this section; or

(3) A notice of primary is published for only one party and (A) unaffiliated electors are not authorized to vote, or (B) unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote for all offices to be contested at the primary, a registry list may be used as a checklist at the primary and the registrars of voters shall print a supplementary or updated list indicating those electors who have become eligible to vote in the primary since the printing of the registry list.

(d) Whenever a list is required by this section to be printed, a supplement to such list shall be compiled by the registrars of voters of persons who after such date and prior to twelve o’clock noon of the last business day before the primary become eligible to vote in such primary. The registrars of voters may combine such separate compilation with the foregoing printed list by reprinting the list or incorporating the updated list.

(e) The registrars of voters shall make available for public use such list in the office of the registrars of voters until the printing of the next completed enrollment list; and they shall deliver to the chairman of the town committee of each political party copies of each such list for each voting district in the town. Whenever the registrars of voters are not in their office, such list shall be available at another municipal office. Upon request, the registrars of voters shall give one complete set of such lists to each candidate for nomination for any office or for election as a town committee member. The registrars of voters shall deliver a sufficient number of copies thereof to the moderator of each primary. No petition brought under the provisions of section 9-63 shall operate to delay the completion and printing of such lists. If the petition of any elector is granted after any such list has been completed, the registrars of voters or assistant registrars of voters, as the case may be, shall issue to such elector a certificate showing that the elector is entitled to the privileges accompanying enrollment in the political party named in the elector’s petition.

Sec. 9-55a. Compensation of registrars, clerks and other personnel. For the performance of the duties imposed by sections 9-55 and 9-57, each registrar, deputy registrar and other personnel appointed as provided in section 9-57 actually engaged in such duties and each municipal clerk shall receive such reasonable compensation from the municipality as is approved by the selectmen of the town, the warden and burgesses of the borough or the common council of the city or the consolidated town and city, as the case may be; and all necessary expenses incurred by registrars and municipal clerks under the provisions of said sections shall be paid by the municipality.

Sec. 9-56. Application for enrollment by unaffiliated elector. Except as otherwise provided in the case of an elector whose name has not been placed on or has been removed from the enrollment list under section 9-59, 9-60, 9-61 or 9-62, any elector not enrolled on any enrollment list may at any time make a written and signed application for enrollment to the registrars of voters on an application form for admission as an elector, in accordance with the requirements of this section. The application shall be effective as of the date it is filed with the registrars of voters of the town of residence of the applicant and any person making application for enrollment in such manner shall immediately be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment unless the application for enrollment (1) is filed in person by the applicant with the registrars of voters after twelve o’clock noon on the last business day before a primary, in which case he shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the primary, (2) is otherwise filed with the registrar after the fifth day before the primary, in which case he shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the primary, except as provided in section 9-23a, or (3) is filed with the registrars of voters after 5:00 p.m. on the last business day before a caucus or convention, in which case he shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the caucus or convention. The application shall be signed or initialed by the registrar, deputy, assistant or registrar’s clerk receiving it, or by such other personnel as such registrar or deputy may appoint for the purpose, showing the date when such application is received and, in the case of an applicant not immediately eligible under section 9-59, 9-60, 9-61 or 9-62 to the privileges accompanying enrollment in the party named in his application, the date upon which such applicant becomes so eligible. In municipalities divided into voting districts in which an enrollment session is held in each district thereof under section 9-51, application for enrollment shall be made to the registrar or assistant registrar, as the case may be, in the voting district in which such elector is entitled to vote at the time of making such application. If any registrar or assistant registrar fails to add any name to any such list on written application or adds any name to any such list except as herein provided, he shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

Sec. 9-57. Application for enrollment by new elector at time of admission. Attachment of party privileges. Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act or charter to the contrary, whenever any person makes application for admission as an elector in person to an admitting official, he may, on an application for admission as an elector, make application for enrollment on the list of the political party of his preference. Any such elector who has so applied for enrollment shall, upon acquisition of electoral privileges, immediately be entitled to all the privileges of enrollment in the party named in his application, unless (1) he ceases to be an elector in the town or voting district in which he is entitled to vote, as the case may be, (2) he makes application for erasure or transfer or enrollment on the list of another party in accordance with the provisions of section 9-59, (3) he files his application for enrollment with the registrars of voters of his town of residence after twelve o’clock noon on the last business day before a primary, in which case he shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the primary, or (4) he files his application for enrollment with the registrars of voters of his town of residence on the day of a caucus or convention, in which case he shall be entitled to the privileges of party enrollment immediately after the caucus or convention. The registrars of voters or assistant registrars shall add the names of all persons making such application to the enrollment list or supplementary enrollment list of the political party of each such applicant’s preference, provided, if a caucus or convention is to be held, such registrars or assistant registrars shall prepare separate lists of such names according to party, on the day before such caucus or convention.

Sec. 9-57a. Application for enrollment made at time of application for restoration. Section 9-57a is repealed.

Sec. 9-58. Applications for enrollment; record of, disposal after five years. All applications for enrollment shall be arranged in alphabetical order and shall be preserved by the registrars as a permanent record open to public inspection, except that any such application of an elector whose name has been removed from the registry list for a period of at least five years may be placed on microfilm, destroyed or otherwise disposed of, in the manner provided in section 7-109, by such registrars.

Sec. 9-59. Erasure or transfer of name. Any elector whose name appears on any enrollment list or who has made application for enrollment may, at any time, make a written application, on an application form for admission as an elector, which shall be signed by such elector, to either registrar for erasure of his name from such list or for transfer of his name to the enrollment list of another party. If an elector makes an application for erasure, his name shall be erased from said enrollment list and, if a municipality is having a primary in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote, under section 9-431, such elector’s name shall be placed on the list of unaffiliated electors together with the date he is eligible to vote in a primary. If an elector makes an application for transfer, his name shall be transferred to the enrollment list of another party, together with the effective date of such transfer. Any elector whose name has been transferred from one enrollment list to another or who has applied for erasure or transfer of his name from an enrollment list shall not be entitled to participate or vote in a caucus or primary of any party, participate in the appointment of members to any board or commission that is political in nature, be appointed as a member of any board or commission that is political in nature or be entitled to the privileges accompanying enrollment in any party for a period of three months from the date of the filing of his application for transfer or for erasure. Any elector who removes his name from the registry list and from an enrollment list in accordance with the provisions of section 9-35b shall not be entitled to enroll in any political party or vote in any primary for three months after such removal. The registrars of voters shall state, on the notice of acceptance sent under sections 9-23g, 9-19b and 9-19e, the date enrollment privileges take effect, if delayed.

Sec. 9-60. Discretionary erasure or exclusion from enrollment list for lack of good-faith party affiliation; citation and hearing. Whenever the registrar of voters of any political party, or any deputy registrar thereof in cases where it is provided by law that the deputy registrar shall act in the place and stead of the registrar, is of the opinion that any person on the enrollment list, or any person applying to be placed upon the enrollment list, of the political party which such registrar or deputy registrar represents is not affiliated with, or in good faith a member of, that political party and does not intend to support its principles or candidates, such registrar or deputy registrar, as the case may be, shall cite such person to appear before him and the chairman of the town committee of such political party, or before him and the chairman of the same party committee of the ward or voting district, if in a town divided into wards or voting districts; or, where there is no such chairman, or in the absence or disability of such chairman, before him and any enrolled member of the same political party chosen by such registrar or deputy registrar, to show cause why his name should not be erased or excluded from such enrollment list. Such citation shall be in writing and shall state the time when and place where such person shall appear, and shall be served upon or left at the usual place of abode of such person at least two days before the time fixed for such hearing upon such citation, which time shall not be less than one week before the next succeeding caucus or primary of such political party. The person leaving or serving such citation shall make a record of the date and time of leaving or serving the same and shall make a return to the registrar or deputy registrar, within thirty-six hours thereafter, of the date and time when such citation was left or served. If, at any such hearing, it appears to such registrar and such chairman or party member or to such deputy registrar and such chairman or party member, as the case may be, that it is not the bona fide intention of such person to affiliate with, or that such person is not affiliating with, such political party and does not intend to support the principles or candidates of such party, his name may thereupon be erased or excluded from the enrollment list of such party. If any elector upon whom a citation to appear, as herein provided, has been served fails to appear at the time and place fixed for such hearing, such registrar or deputy registrar may take such action as to the erasure or exclusion of the name of such elector as the facts warrant.

Sec. 9-61. Prima facie evidence supporting discretionary erasure or exclusion. Enrollment in any other political party or organization, active affiliation with any other political party or organization, knowingly being a candidate at any primary or caucus of any other party or political organization, or being a candidate for office under the designation of another party or organization, within a period of two years prior to the date of the notice as provided in section 9-60 shall be prima facie evidence that any elector committing any such act is not affiliated with, or in good faith a member of, and does not intend to support the principles or candidates of the party upon the enrollment list of which his name appears or in which his application for enrollment is pending; and, upon reasonable proof of the commission of any one of such acts, the name of any such elector may be stricken or excluded from such list and such erasure or exclusion shall be effective for a period of two years from the date of any such act. The same procedure as to notice to appear thereon, return and hearing shall be followed as provided in section 9-60. If, after full hearing, such registrar and chairman or party member or such deputy registrar and chairman or party member, as the case may be, find that the name of any such elector has been wrongfully or improperly stricken or excluded from such list, such name shall be forthwith placed upon the enrollment list.

Sec. 9-62. Hearings concerning discretionary erasure or exclusion. At any hearing provided for in sections 9-60 and 9-61, any elector upon whom a citation or notice as therein provided has been served and any person offering himself as a witness shall be sworn; and all registrars and deputy registrars are authorized to administer, for that purpose, the oath provided for witnesses. Any person cited to appear before any registrar or deputy registrar under any of the provisions of said sections shall have the right to appear either in person or by attorney; and, when no witnesses are present at any such hearing to testify in favor of the removal of the name of an elector from any list on which the same appears, or against placing the name of an elector upon an enrollment list, or against the restoration of the name of an elector to an enrollment list from which the name of such elector has been removed or excluded, the registrar or deputy registrar before whom the hearing is held shall make a statement of facts in his possession, showing why the name of any such elector should be erased from such enrollment list or why it should not be placed upon the enrollment list as requested by the applicant or why such name was wrongfully or improperly stricken or excluded from the enrollment list upon which it appeared.

Sec. 9-63. Court appeal of discretionary erasure or exclusion. Any elector whose name has been removed from an enrollment list in the manner provided in sections 9-60 and 9-61, and any elector whose application to have his name placed upon an enrollment list has been refused, and who is aggrieved thereby, may, within ten days after such removal or refusal, bring a petition before any judge of the Superior Court, setting forth that the name of the petitioner has been unjustly or improperly removed from such list or excluded therefrom, as the case may be, and praying for an order directing such registrar or deputy registrar by whom such name was removed or excluded to restore such name or place the same upon such list. A recognizance shall be attached to the petition, with proper surety, in a sum not less than fifty dollars, conditioned that the petitioner will prosecute such action to effect and pay all proper costs of the adverse party in case he fails therein. Such petition shall be returnable not more than six days from the date thereof, and to the same shall be attached a citation commanding such registrar or deputy registrar in the name of the state to appear and show cause why such name should not be restored to such list or placed thereon. A true copy of such petition shall be served upon such registrar or deputy registrar at least four days before the return day thereof, and the judge before whom such petition is returnable shall assign the same for a hearing at the earliest practicable date; and if, upon due hearing thereof, he finds that the petitioner is entitled to relief, such judge shall issue an order directing such registrar or deputy registrar to forthwith restore the name of such elector to the list from which it was removed or to place the name of such elector upon the list applied for, as the case may be; and any registrar or deputy registrar who fails to obey such order shall be deemed guilty of contempt and may be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

Sec. 9-64. Erasure of name not on registry list. Upon the written application of an enrolled elector of any town, made to any registrar or assistant registrar of any ward or voting district in such town, stating that the name of an elector appearing on the enrollment list of any ward or district does not appear on the last-completed registry list of such ward or district and that such elector is not entitled to vote therein and requesting that the name of such elector be stricken from such enrollment list, such registrar or assistant registrar, upon verifying the accuracy of such information, shall erase such name from the enrollment list, provided any name so erased shall be added to the enrollment list of the same party in the ward or district upon the registry list of which such name appears. Any registrar or assistant registrar failing to so erase any such name shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

Sec. 9-64a. Removal, restoration or transfer of enrollment list names. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other section of this chapter, the registrars of voters in any town or district shall remove the name of any elector from the enrollment list at the same time that such name is removed from the registry list, but, if such name is restored, added or transferred on the registry list under section 9-35 or section 9-42, it shall be simultaneously restored, added or transferred on the enrollment list.

Sec. 9-64b. Removal of names from list to be used at caucus, primary or convention. Prior to distributing any enrollment list for use in any caucus, primary or town convention, the registrar of voters shall remove all names from such enrollment list which have been removed from the last-completed registry list.

Sec. 9-65. Statement to Secretary of registration, enrollment and addition and removal statistics. (a) After the last session of the registrars of voters under section 9-17 before each election, the registrars of voters in each municipality shall submit in writing to the Secretary of the State a statement setting forth the total number of names of new electors added to the registry list, and the total number of names of former electors removed from the registry list, in such municipality during the period between the two most recent such last sessions. Such statement shall be submitted annually at a time to be determined by the Secretary of the State.

(b) Not later than a week after the last session of the registrars of voters before an election under section 9-17, the Secretary of the State shall issue a report on the total number of electors on the active and inactive registry list, the total number of electors enrolled on each active and inactive party enrollment list and the total number of unaffiliated electors on the active and inactive registry list in such municipality, as reported by the registrars of voters on the state-wide centralized voter registration system. The Secretary shall omit from such report electors on the last-completed registry list or enrollment lists who have died, but shall include electors who have acquired electoral or enrollment privileges since the last-completed registry list or enrollment lists were perfected.

Sec. 9-66. Application of provisions. The provisions of sections 9-51 to 9-67, inclusive, shall extend only to (A) any major party as defined in subdivision (5) of section 9-372, and (B) any minor party as defined in subdivision (6) of section 9-372. In the case of a major party, such provisions shall apply state-wide. In the case of a minor party, such provisions shall apply within the geographical jurisdiction of the office or offices to which such minor party status pertains.

Sec. 9-67. Party affiliation of electors of boroughs. Any provision of the general statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, any elector of a borough may, in connection with any borough election, enroll in, be affiliated with, be a candidate for nomination or election of, or in any other manner participate in the affairs of, a political party or organization which names candidates for borough offices, despite his participation in any manner, in connection with any state, town or city election, in the affairs of any political party or organization. Such participation, in connection with any borough election, shall not affect the right of any such elector to participate, in connection with any state, town or city election, in the affairs of any other single political party or organization. The provisions of sections 9-51 to 9-67, inclusive, regulating party affiliation of electors shall apply to the intraborough political activities of any such elector.

Chapter 145 – Absentee Voting

CHAPTER 145 – ABSENTEE VOTING

Sec. 9-133f. Absentee voting procedures. The provisions of this chapter shall govern procedures relating to absentee voting at elections. Except as otherwise provided by statute, such provisions shall also apply, as nearly as practicable and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, to procedures relating to absentee voting at primaries and referenda.

Sec. 9-134. Members of the armed forces; definitions. The term “members of the armed forces”, wherever used in this chapter, means members in active service of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Public Health Service and Merchant Marine of the United States, and all regular and reserve components thereof. The term “members of the Merchant Marine of the United States”, wherever used in this chapter, means persons employed as officers or members of crews of vessels documented under the laws of the United States, or of vessels owned by the United States, or of vessels of foreign-flag registry under charter to or control of the United States, and persons enrolled with the United States for employment, or for training for employment, or maintained by the United States for emergency relief service, as officers or members of crews of any such vessels; but does not mean persons so employed, or enrolled for such employment or for training for such employment, or maintained for such emergency relief service, on the Great Lakes or the inland waterways. The term “United States”, wherever used geographically in this chapter, includes the territorial limits of the states of the United States and the District of Columbia.

Sec. 9-135. Absentee voting eligibility. Misrepresentation prohibited. (a) Any elector eligible to vote at a primary or an election and any person eligible to vote at a referendum may vote by absentee ballot if he or she is unable to appear at his or her polling place during the hours of voting for any of the following reasons: (1) His or her active service with the armed forces of the United States; (2) his or her absence from the town of his or her voting residence during all of the hours of voting; (3) his or her illness; (4) his or her physical disability; (5) the tenets of his or her religion forbid secular activity on the day of the primary, election or referendum; or (6) the required performance of his or her duties as a primary, election or referendum official, including as a town clerk or registrar of voters or as staff of the clerk or registrar, at a polling place other than his or her own during all of the hours of voting at such primary, election or referendum.

(b) No person shall misrepresent the eligibility requirements for voting by absentee ballot prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, to any elector or prospective absentee ballot applicant.

Sec. 9-135a. Form of absentee ballot. (a) Each absentee ballot shall be arranged to resemble the appropriate ballot and sample ballot as prescribed by law, and shall include, as applicable, the offices, party designations, names of candidates and questions to be voted upon and spaces for write-in votes. A replica of the state seal shall be printed on the ballot. The size, type, form, instructions, specifications for paper and printing and other specifications shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the State.

(b) In municipalities in which some or all offices are to be voted upon without party designation at an election, the clerk of the municipality shall prepare a suitably modified absentee ballot which, upon approval by the Secretary of the State, shall be the form of absentee ballot for the purposes of the election.

(c) In the case of a primary in a voting district in which unaffiliated electors are authorized, under section 9-431, to vote for some but not all offices to be contested at the primary, the clerk of the municipality shall so prepare and cause to be printed separate and distinct partial absentee ballots for such unaffiliated electors, provided on each such ballot, each candidate’s position shall be the same as on the full absentee ballot for the primary, pursuant to section 9-437, leaving blank columns where necessary.

Sec. 9-135b. Preparation and printing of absentee ballots; layouts for public inspection; filing of ballot and affidavit with Secretary. Vacancies; procedure. Omissions or errors in printing. (a) Immediately after the deadline for certification of all candidates whose names are to appear on the ballot, and in sufficient time to begin issuing absentee ballots on the day prescribed by law, the municipal clerk shall prepare the absentee ballots and have them printed. Prior to printing such ballots, the registrars of voters of the municipality may provide comments concerning the content and form of such ballots to the clerk.

(b) A layout model of each different absentee ballot shall be available for public inspection at the clerk’s office prior to printing. The model shall indicate the type face to be used, the spelling and placement of names and other information to be printed on the ballots.

(c) Immediately upon receiving the printed absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall file one with the Secretary of the State or, if there are different ballots for different political subdivisions, one ballot for each subdivision. The clerk shall also file his affidavit with the Secretary, stating the number of ballots printed. The form of affidavit shall be prescribed by the Secretary. If any correction or alteration is subsequently made on any absentee ballot the clerk shall immediately file a corrected or altered ballot and, using the prescribed form, his affidavit stating the number of such ballots printed, with the Secretary.

(d) If a vacancy in candidacy occurs after the ballots have been printed, the clerk may either reprint the ballots or cause blank or printed stickers, as the case may be, to be affixed to them so that the name of any candidate who has vacated his candidacy is deleted and the name of any candidate chosen to fill the vacancy as provided in section 9-428 or section 9-460 appears in the same position as that in which the vacated candidacy appeared except as provided in section 9-426 or 9-453s.

(e) The Secretary of the State shall examine each absentee ballot required to be filed pursuant to this section and if a ballot contains an omission or error, the Secretary shall order the municipal clerk to reprint a corrected absentee ballot or to take such other action as the Secretary may deem appropriate.

Secs. 9-136 and 9-136a. Form of absentee ballot. Form for municipal election to fill partisan and nonpartisan offices. Sections 9-136 and 9-136a are repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 1140; 1953, S. 623d; 1957, P.A. 517, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 395, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 224, S. 1; 374, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 631; P.A. 75-310, S. 10, 11; P.A. 86-179, S. 52, 53.)

Sec. 9-136b. Transferred to Sec. 9-153c.

Sec. 9-137. Inner envelope for return of ballot; statement under false statement penalty. Each absentee ballot shall be returned to the municipal clerk, inserted in an inner envelope which shall be capable of being sealed and which shall have printed on its face a form containing the following statements:

“I hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting that I am eligible to vote at the primary, election or referendum in the municipality in which this absentee ballot is to be cast and that I expect to be unable to appear at my polling place during the hours of voting at such primary, election or referendum for one or more of the following reasons: (1) My active service in the armed forces; (2) my absence from the town in which I am eligible to vote during all of the hours of voting; (3) my illness or physical disability; (4) the tenets of my religion which forbid secular activity on the day of the primary, election or referendum; or (5) my duties as a primary, election or referendum official.

Date ….

…. (Signature)”

Sec. 9-138. Transferred to Sec. 9-140a.

Sec. 9-139. Outer envelope for return of ballot. The inner envelope, in which the absentee ballot has been inserted by the absentee ballot applicant, shall be returned to the municipal clerk in an outer envelope endorsed on the outside with the words: “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT”. The outer envelope shall also contain (1) blank spaces for the name and return address of the sender and spaces upon which the municipal clerk, before issuance of the ballot and envelopes, shall insert the applicant’s name, voting residence by street and number, voting district, the date of the primary, election or referendum at which the ballot is to be cast and, if the absentee ballot is to be cast at a primary, the name of the party holding the primary and (2) a notice, sufficient to warn any person handling the ballot, of the restrictions set forth in section 9-140b concerning who may possess or return the ballot and the restrictions and penalties set forth in section 9-359 concerning the completion or execution of absentee ballots. The clerk shall also inscribe his official address for the return of the ballot on the outer envelope prior to issuance of the ballot and envelopes. All outer envelopes shall be serially numbered.

Sec. 9-139a. (Formerly Sec. 9-155). Secretary to furnish forms. Contents. Instructions. (a) The Secretary of the State shall prescribe and furnish the following materials to municipal clerks: The absentee ballot facsimile, the application for absentee ballot, the inner envelope, the outer envelope provided for the return of the ballot to the municipal clerk, the instructions for the use of the absentee ballot and the envelope for mailing of such forms by the clerk to the absentee ballot applicant.

(b) The application for absentee ballot shall be in the form of a statement signed under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting. Each application shall contain (1) spaces for the signature under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting of any person who assists the applicant in the completion of an application together with the information required in section 9-140, and (2) spaces for the signature and the printed or typed name of the applicant.

(c) The instructions for the use of the absentee ballot shall be in plain language and shall include the steps to be taken if a vote is to be cancelled or changed, and shall also contain a simple and concise restatement of the provisions of subsection (l) of section 9-150a and section 9-159o concerning rejection of ballots marked in such manner as to identify the voters casting them, and withdrawal of ballots by persons who find they are able to vote at the polls.

(d) A sufficient supply of such instructions and envelopes shall be printed to supply the number which the municipal clerk requests or the Secretary of the State deems sufficient.

Sec. 9-139b. (Formerly Sec. 9-157). Secretary authorized to change forms. The Secretary of the State may make any changes in any forms prescribed by this chapter which, in the opinion of said secretary, are necessary to conform to the applicable provisions of federal law.

Sec. 9-139c. (Formerly Sec. 9-154). Clerk to account to secretary for forms. Within ten days after an election or primary, the municipal clerk shall file with the Secretary of the State a statement, on a form to be prescribed and provided by the secretary, setting forth the number of absentee voting forms received from the secretary, the number issued to applicants for absentee ballots and the number remaining unused, and an explanation of any discrepancies. The statement shall also include such information concerning presidential and overseas ballot forms. The prescribed form may also require such absentee voting information as is necessary to complete questionnaires issued by the United States Department of Defense.

Sec. 9-140. Application for and issuance of absentee ballots. Distribution of absentee ballot applications. Mailing unsolicited applications. Downloading applications. Summary of absentee voting laws. (a) Application for an absentee ballot shall be made to the clerk of the municipality in which the applicant is eligible to vote or has applied for such eligibility. Any person who assists another person in the completion of an application shall, in the space provided, sign the application and print or type his name, residence address and telephone number. Such signature shall be made under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting. The municipal clerk shall not invalidate the application solely because it does not contain the name of a person who assisted the applicant in the completion of the application. The municipal clerk shall not distribute with an absentee ballot application any material which promotes the success or defeat of any candidate or referendum question. The municipal clerk shall maintain a log of all absentee ballot applications provided under this subsection, including the name and address of each person to whom applications are provided and the number of applications provided to each such person. Each absentee ballot application provided by the municipal clerk shall be consecutively numbered and be stamped or marked with the name of the municipality issuing the application. The application shall be signed by the applicant under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting on (1) the form prescribed by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-139a, (2) a form provided by any federal department or agency if applicable pursuant to section 9-153a, or (3) any of the special forms of application prescribed pursuant to section 9-150c, 9-153a, 9-153b, 9-153d, 9-153e, 9-153f or 9-158d, if applicable. Any such absentee ballot applicant who is unable to write may cause the application to be completed by an authorized agent who shall, in the spaces provided for the date and signature, write the date and name of the absentee ballot applicant followed by the word “by” and his own signature. If the ballot is to be mailed to the applicant, the applicant shall list the bona fide personal mailing address of the applicant in the appropriate space on the application.

(b) A municipal clerk may transmit an application to a person under this subsection by facsimile machine or other electronic means, if so requested by the applicant. If a municipal clerk has a facsimile machine or other electronic means, an applicant may return a completed application to the clerk by such a machine or device, provided the applicant shall also mail the original of the completed application to the clerk, either separately or with the absentee ballot that is issued to the applicant. If the clerk does not receive such original application by the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum, the absentee ballot shall not be counted.

(c) The municipal clerk shall check the name of each absentee ballot applicant against the last-completed registry list and any updated registry lists on file in the municipal clerk’s office. If the name of such applicant does not appear on any of such lists, the clerk shall send such applicant a notice, in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, to the effect that (1) the applicant’s name did not appear on the list of electors of the municipality at the time the application was processed, and (2) unless the applicant is admitted or restored as an elector of the municipality by the applicable cutoff dates an absentee ballot will not be mailed to him. Such notice shall not be so mailed if, prior to the mailing of the notice, the registrars provide the clerk with reliable information showing the absentee ballot applicant to be an elector of the municipality.

(d) An absentee voting set shall consist of an absentee ballot, inner and outer envelopes for its return, instructions for its use, and if applicable, explanatory texts concerning ballot questions, as provided for in sections 2-30a and 9-369b. No other material shall be included with an absentee voting set issued to an applicant except as provided in sections 9-153e and 9-153f or where necessary to correct an error or omission as provided in section 9-153c.

(e) Upon receipt of an application, the municipal clerk shall, unless a notice is mailed to the applicant pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, write the serial number of the outer envelope included in the absentee voting set to be issued to the applicant in the space provided for that purpose on the application form. Sets shall be issued to applicants in consecutive ascending numerical order of the envelope serial numbers, and the clerk shall keep a list of the numbers indicating beside each number the name of the applicant to whom that set was issued. The list shall be preserved as a public record as required by section 9-150b.

(f) Absentee voting sets shall be issued beginning on the thirty-first day before an election and the twenty-first day before a primary or, if such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, beginning on the next preceding business day.

(g) On the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets the municipal clerk shall mail an absentee voting set to each applicant whose application was received by the clerk prior to that day. When the clerk receives an application during the time period in which absentee voting sets are to be issued he shall mail an absentee voting set to the applicant, within twenty-four hours, unless the applicant submits his application in person at the office of the clerk and asks to be given his absentee voting set immediately, in which case the clerk shall comply with the request. Any absentee voting set to be mailed to an applicant shall be mailed to the bona fide personal mailing address shown on the application. Issuance of absentee voting sets shall also be subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, section 9-150c and section 9-159q concerning persons designated to deliver or return ballots in cases involving unforeseen illness or disability and supervised voting at certain health care institutions.

(h) No absentee ballot shall be issued on the day of an election or primary, or after the opening of the polls on the day of a referendum, except in cases involving unforeseen illness or disability or presidential or overseas ballots as provided in section 9-150c and sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive.

(i) The municipal clerk shall file executed applications in alphabetical order according to the applicants’ surnames. Such applications shall be preserved as a public record as required by section 9-150b.

(j) No person shall pay or give any compensation to another and no person shall accept any compensation solely for (1) distributing absentee ballot applications obtained from a municipal clerk or the Secretary of the State or (2) assisting any person in the execution of an absentee ballot.

(k) (1) A person shall register with the town clerk before distributing five or more absentee ballot applications for an election, primary or referendum, not including applications distributed to such person’s immediate family. Such requirement shall not apply to a person who is the designee of an applicant.

(2) Any person who distributes absentee ballot applications shall maintain a list of the names and addresses of prospective absentee ballot applicants who receive such applications, and shall file such list with the town clerk prior to the date of the primary, election or referendum for which the applications were so distributed. Any person who distributes absentee ballot applications and receives an executed application shall forthwith file the application with the town clerk.

(l) No candidate, party or political committee, or agent of such candidate or committee shall mail unsolicited applications for absentee ballots to any person, unless such mailing includes: (1) A written explanation of the eligibility requirements for voting by absentee ballot as prescribed in subsection (a) of section 9-135, and (2) a written warning that voting or attempting to vote by absentee ballot without meeting one or more of such eligibility requirements subjects the elector or applicant to potential civil and criminal penalties. As used in this subsection, “agent” means any person authorized to act on behalf of another person.

(m) The Secretary of the State shall conspicuously post on the Secretary of the State’s web site, adjacent to the absentee ballot application form available for downloading, a notice that the application may be downloaded by a person only for (1) the person’s own use, (2) the use of a member of the person’s immediate family, or (3) the use of a designee of the applicant. The notice shall also contain an advisory statement concerning the requirements of subsection (k) of this section.

(n) The State Elections Enforcement Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of the State, shall prepare a summary of the requirements and prohibitions of the absentee voting laws, which shall be posted on said agencies’ web sites. Candidates and political party chairpersons shall provide such summary to campaign and party employees and volunteers.

(o) As used in this section, (1) “immediate family” has the same meaning as provided in subsection (a) of section 9-140b, and (2) “designee” has the same meaning as provided in subsection (b) of section 9-140b.

Sec. 9-140a. (Formerly Sec. 9-138). Signing of form. Insertion of ballot in envelopes. Each absentee ballot applicant shall sign the form on the inner envelope provided for in section 9-137, which shall constitute a statement under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting. Any absentee ballot applicant who is unable to write may cause his name to be signed on the form by an authorized agent who shall, in the space provided for the signature, write the name of the applicant followed by the word “by” and his own signature. The failure of the applicant or authorized agent to date the form shall not invalidate the ballot. The ballot shall be inserted in the inner envelope, and the inner envelope shall be inserted in the outer envelope, prior to the return of the ballot to the municipal clerk. If an applicant is required to return identification with the ballot pursuant to the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, such identification shall be inserted in the outer envelope so such identification can be viewed without opening the inner envelope.

Sec. 9-140b. (Formerly Sec. 9-146). Return of absentee ballots. Possession of ballots and envelopes restricted. (a) An absentee ballot shall be cast at a primary, election or referendum only if: (1) It is mailed by (A) the ballot applicant, (B) a designee of a person who applies for an absentee ballot because of illness or physical disability, or (C) a member of the immediate family of an applicant who is a student, so that it is received by the clerk of the municipality in which the applicant is qualified to vote not later than the close of the polls; (2) it is returned by the applicant in person to the clerk by the day before a regular election, special election or primary or prior to the opening of the polls on the day of a referendum; (3) it is returned by a designee of an ill or physically disabled ballot applicant, in person, to said clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum; (4) it is returned by a member of the immediate family of the absentee voter, in person, to said clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum; (5) in the case of a presidential or overseas ballot, it is mailed or otherwise returned pursuant to the provisions of section 9-158g; or (6) it is returned with the proper identification as required by the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time, if applicable, inserted in the outer envelope so such identification can be viewed without opening the inner envelope. A person returning an absentee ballot to the municipal clerk pursuant to subdivision (3) or (4) of this subsection shall present identification and, on the outer envelope of the absentee ballot, sign his name in the presence of the municipal clerk, and indicate his address, his relationship to the voter or his position, and the date and time of such return. As used in this section, “immediate family” means a dependent relative who resides in the individual’s household or any spouse, child or parent of the individual.

(b) As used in this section and section 9-150c, “designee” means (1) a person who is caring for the applicant because of the applicant’s illness or physical disability, including but not limited to, a licensed physician or a registered or practical nurse, (2) a member of the applicant’s family, who is designated by an absentee ballot applicant and who consents to such designation, or (3) if no such person consents or is available, then a police officer, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters or assistant registrar of voters in the municipality in which the applicant resides.

(c) For purposes of this section “mailed” means sent by the United States Postal Service or any commercial carrier, courier or messenger service recognized and approved by the Secretary of the State.

(d) No person shall have in his possession any official absentee ballot or ballot envelope for use at any primary, election or referendum except the applicant to whom it was issued, the Secretary of the State or his or her authorized agents, any official printer of absentee ballot forms and his designated carriers, the United States Postal Service, any other carrier, courier or messenger service recognized and approved by the Secretary of the State, any person authorized by a municipal clerk to receive and process official absentee ballot forms on behalf of the municipal clerk, any authorized primary, election or referendum official or any other person authorized by any provision of the general statutes to possess a ballot or ballot envelope.

(e) No (1) candidate or (2) agent of a candidate, political party or committee, as defined in section 9-601, shall knowingly be present when an absentee ballot applicant executes an absentee ballot, except (A) when the candidate or agent is (i) a member of the immediate family of the applicant or (ii) authorized by law to be present or (B) when the absentee ballot is executed in the office of the municipal clerk and the municipal clerk or an employee of the municipal clerk is a candidate or agent.

Sec. 9-140c. (Formerly Sec. 9-147). List of applicants returning ballots to clerk. Sorting of ballots and checking of names on registry list; rejection of ballot if name not on list. Times for delivery of ballots. Preservation of secrecy. Late ballots retained by clerk. (a) The municipal clerk shall retain the envelopes containing absentee ballots received by him under section 9-140b and shall not open such envelopes. The municipal clerk shall endorse over his signature, upon each outer envelope as he receives it, the date and precise time of its receipt. The clerk shall make an affidavit attesting to the accuracy of all such endorsements, and at the close of the polls shall deliver such affidavit to the head moderator, who shall endorse the time of its receipt and return it to the clerk after all counting is complete. The clerk shall preserve the affidavit for one hundred eighty days in accordance with the requirements of section 9-150b. The clerk shall keep a list of the names of the applicants who return absentee ballots to the clerk under section 9-140b. The list shall be preserved as a public record as required by section 9-150b.

(b) Beginning not earlier than the seventh day before the election, primary or referendum and on any weekday thereafter, all absentee ballots received by the municipal clerk not later than eleven o’clock a.m. of such day may be sorted into voting districts by the municipal clerk and checked as provided in this subsection. On any such day, beginning as soon as the ballots have been sorted, the registrars of voters, without opening the outer envelopes, may check the names of the applicants returning ballots on the official checklist to be used at the election, primary or referendum by indicating “absentee” or “A” preceding each such name and, if unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, the designation of the party in which the applicants are voting preceding each such name. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the registrars shall also place such indication on a duplicate of the checklist to be retained by the municipal clerk until he delivers it to the registrars at twelve o’clock noon on election, primary or referendum day for the use of the absentee ballot counters pursuant to subsection (i) of this section. All absentee ballots received not later than eleven o’clock a.m. of the last day before the election, primary or referendum which is not a Sunday or legal holiday, shall be so sorted and checked not later than such day.

(c) If the name of the applicant returning the ballot is not on the official checklist for any polling place in such municipality, the registrars shall endorse on the face of such outer envelope the word “rejected”, followed by a statement of the reasons for rejection, and the outer envelope shall not be opened or the ballot counted.

(d) After such checking has been completed on any such day, the municipal clerk shall seal the unopened ballots in a package and retain them in a safe place.

(e) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, ballots received not later than eleven o’clock a.m. on such last day before the election, primary or referendum shall be delivered by the municipal clerk to the registrars not earlier than ten o’clock a.m. and not later than twelve o’clock noon on the day of the election or primary and at twelve o’clock noon on the day of a referendum. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the municipal clerk shall also deliver to the registrars at this time the duplicate checklist provided for in subsection (b) of this section, for the use of the absentee ballot counters pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.

(2) The municipal clerk may deliver the ballots at a time that is later than the time provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, provided such time is mutually agreed upon by the municipal clerk and registrars and is not later than eight o’clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum.

(f) Absentee ballots timely received by the clerk after eleven o’clock a.m. of such last day before an election, primary or referendum shall be sorted into voting districts by the clerk and retained by the clerk separately until delivered to the registrars of voters for checking.

(g) Any or all of such ballots received after eleven o’clock a.m. of such last day before an election, primary or referendum and before six o’clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum shall, upon request of the registrars, be delivered to the registrars by the municipal clerk at six o’clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum for checking, or at a later time mutually agreed upon by the clerk and registrars, provided such time is not later than eight o’clock p.m. on the day of the election, primary or referendum.

(h) Absentee ballots received after six o’clock p.m. and any ballots received prior to six o’clock p.m. which were not delivered earlier shall be delivered to the registrars at the close of the polls for checking. Although absentee ballots shall be checked by the registrars of voters at various times throughout the election, primary or referendum day, absentee ballots may be counted at one single time during such day.

(i) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the absentee ballot counters, upon receipt of the ballots delivered by the municipal clerk to the registrars at six o’clock p.m. and at the close of the polls pursuant to subsections (g) and (h) of this section, shall check the names of the applicants returning ballots on the duplicate checklist in the same manner as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.

(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at six o’clock p.m. shall be called in to the appropriate polling places where they shall be checked by the checkers on the official checklists, and they shall also be checked by the absentee ballot counters on the duplicate checklist required under subsection (b) of this section.

(B) When absentee ballots are counted in any polling place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at six o’clock p.m. shall be checked by the absentee ballot counters and checkers at such polling place on the official checklist used at such polling place.

(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the names of applicants whose ballots were delivered at the close of the polls shall be checked by the absentee ballot counters on the official checklists used at the polling places and such official checklists, bearing the certifications required by section 9-307, shall be delivered by the registrars or assistant registrars to the central counting moderator for that purpose.

(B) When absentee ballots are counted in any polling place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the official checklist used at such polling place shall remain in such polling place for checking by the absentee ballot counters at such polling place.

(4) If the name of an applicant returning a ballot has been checked on the official checklist as having voted in person the absentee ballot counters shall, in checking the ballots, endorse on the face of the outer envelope the word “rejected” followed by a statement of the reason for rejection, and the outer envelope shall not be opened or the ballot counted.

(5) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, when central counting is completed and the result is announced, the central counting moderator shall deliver the duplicate checklist, the official checklists and the returns required by section 9-150b to the head moderator.

(B) When absentee ballots are counted in any polling place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, and such counting is completed and the result for such polling place is announced, the moderator for such polling place shall deliver the official checklist used at such polling place and the return required by section 9-150b to the head moderator.

(j) Each time ballots are delivered by the clerk to the registrars on election, primary or referendum day, the clerk and registrars shall execute an affidavit of delivery and receipt stating the number of ballots delivered. The clerk shall preserve the affidavit for six months in accordance with section 9-150b.

(k) Each group of absentee ballots shall be counted by the absentee ballot counters when received from the registrars on election, primary or referendum day, in the manner provided in section 9-150a.

(l) The municipal clerk shall retain all outer envelopes containing absentee ballots received by him after the close of the polls, unopened, for the period prescribed in section 9-150b.

Sec. 9-140d. (Formerly Sec. 9-152). Validity of armed forces member’s ballot after death. No absentee ballot executed by a member of the armed forces shall be invalidated by his death prior to an election, primary or referendum if his name appears on the official checklist used at such election, primary or referendum.

Sec. 9-140e. Permanently physically disabled elector. Status for receipt of absentee ballots. (a) Any elector who is permanently physically disabled and who files an application for an absentee ballot with a certification from a primary care provider, indicating that such elector is permanently physically disabled and unable to appear in person at such elector’s designated polling location, shall be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status and shall receive an absentee ballot for each election, primary or referendum conducted in such elector’s municipality for which such elector is eligible to vote. Such elector’s permanent absentee ballot status shall remain in effect until such elector: (1) Is removed from the official registry list of the municipality, (2) is removed from permanent absentee ballot status pursuant to the provisions of this section, or (3) requests that he or she no longer receive such permanent absentee ballot status.

(b) The registrars of voters shall send written notice to each such elector with permanent absentee ballot status in January of each year, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, for the purpose of determining if such elector continues to reside at the address indicated on the elector’s permanent absentee ballot application. If (1) such written notice is returned as undeliverable, or (2) not later than thirty days after such notice is sent to the elector, the elector fails to return such notice to the registrars of voters, as directed on the form, the elector in question shall be removed from permanent absentee ballot status. If such elector indicates on such notice that the elector no longer resides at such address and the elector’s new address is within the same municipality, the registrars of voters shall change the elector’s address pursuant to section 9-35 and such elector shall retain permanent absentee ballot status. If the elector indicates on such notice that the elector no longer resides in the municipality, the registrars of voters shall remove such individual from the registry list of the municipality and send such individual an application for voter registration. Failure to return such written notice shall not result in the removal of an elector from the official registry list of the municipality.

Secs. 9-141 and 9-142. Transferred to Secs. 9-153a and 9-153b, respectively.

Secs. 9-143 to 9-143b. Transferred to Secs. 9-153d to 9-153f, inclusive.

Secs. 9-144 and 9-145. Materials to be furnished to absentee ballot applicants. Marking of ballots. Sections 9-144 and 9-145 are repealed.

Sec. 9-146. Transferred to Sec. 9-140b.

Sec. 9-146a. Transferred to Sec. 9-159q.

Sec. 9-147. Transferred to Sec. 9-140c.

Sec. 9-147a. Central counting of absentee ballots; designation of location by registrars of voters. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, at any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots shall, within existing resources, be counted at a central location designated by the registrars of voters in writing to the municipal clerk at least twenty days before the election, primary or referendum, which location shall be published in the warning for the election, primary or referendum. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, if unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, all absentee ballots shall be separated, counted, tallied and placed in depository envelopes by voting district. Any member of the public may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such central location.

(b) At any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots may be counted in the respective polling places if the registrars of voters agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. If unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, absentee ballots may be counted in the respective polling places if the parties agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. Any election official serving in a polling place may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such polling place.

Sec. 9-147c. Central counting of absentee ballots; appointment of counters and moderator. Count not to be disclosed prior to close of polls. Each registrar of voters shall appoint one or more electors of the town, known to be persons of integrity, to count all absentee ballots. No spouse, parent, grandparent, child or sibling of a candidate may be appointed to count absentee ballots on which the name of such candidate appears. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the registrars shall also jointly appoint a central counting moderator and alternate moderator pursuant to the requirements of section 9-229. No person shall print, publish, announce, or otherwise make known such count prior to the time for the closing of the polls.

Sec. 9-147d. Central counting of absentee ballots timely received after 11 a.m. of day before election. Section 9-147d is repealed.

Sec. 9-148. Counting of absentee ballots; training of counters. The appointment of absentee ballot counters shall be made by the registrars of voters. The presiding officer for the purpose of declaring the result of the vote of the whole municipality is the moderator. Each person appointed to count absentee ballots shall participate in a training session at which the registrars of voters, absentee ballot moderator or moderator of the polling place, as the case may be, shall review and study the absentee counter’s manual provided by the Secretary of the State under section 9-150a. Each elector so appointed shall be sworn to carry out faithfully the duties of his office and not to attempt to ascertain the manner in which any absentee elector has marked his absentee ballot. The registrars of voters shall ascertain the voting district in which each absentee elector is registered and shall apportion the envelopes according to voting districts among the appointed groups of electors, if there is more than one such group, in such manner that each group can conveniently count the votes apportioned to it.

Secs. 9-149 and 9-150. Counting of ballots, procedure; ballot rejected if inner-envelope statement not executed; public may observe central counting; questions decided by moderator, intent of elector to govern, presumptions when intent not clear, invalid votes. Placing of ballots in depository envelopes; presentation of envelopes; declaration of count. Sections 9-149 and 9-150 are repealed.

Sec. 9-150a. Counting procedures.

(a) Starting time designated by registrars of voters. The absentee ballot counters shall proceed to the central counting location or to the respective polling places when counting is to take place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a at the times designated by the registrars of voters.

(b) Delivery and checking of ballots. At the time each group of ballots is delivered to them pursuant to section 9-140c, the counters shall perform any checking of such ballots required by subsection (i) of said section and shall then proceed as hereinafter provided.

(c) Removal of inner envelopes. Count of total number of ballots received. Except with respect to ballots marked “Rejected” pursuant to section 9-140c or other applicable law, the counters shall remove the inner envelopes from the outer envelopes, shall note the total number of absentee ballots received and shall report such total to the moderator. They shall similarly note and separately so report the total numbers of presidential ballots and overseas ballots received pursuant to sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive.

(d) Ballot rejected if inner envelope statement not executed. (1) If the statement on the inner envelope has not been signed as required by section 9-140a, such inner envelope shall not be opened or the ballot removed therefrom, and such inner envelope shall be replaced in the opened outer envelope which shall be marked “Rejected” and the reason therefor endorsed thereon by the counters. (2) If such statement is signed but the individual completing the ballot is an individual described in subsection (a) of section 9-23r and has not met the requirements of subsection (e) of section 9-23r, the counters shall replace the ballot in the opened inner envelope, replace the inner envelope in the opened outer envelope and mark “Rejected as an Absentee Ballot” and endorse the reason for such rejection on the outer envelope, and the ballot shall be treated as a provisional ballot for federal offices only, pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

(e) Removal of ballots from inner envelopes. The counters shall then remove the absentee ballots from the remaining inner envelopes.

(f) Inner and outer envelopes to be sealed in depository envelopes. Before the ballots are counted, all opened outer and inner envelopes from which such ballots have been removed, and all outer envelopes marked “Rejected” as required by law, shall be placed and sealed by the counters, separately by voting district, in depository envelopes prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the municipal clerk. The counters shall seal such depository envelopes by wrapping them lengthwise and sideways with nonreusable tape, endorse on each such envelope their names, the voting district and the time of the count, and deliver such envelopes to the moderator.

(g) Moderator to supervise counting. The counters shall then count such ballots as provided in this section. The moderator shall supervise the counting.

(h) Procedure manual. The Secretary of the State shall provide a procedure manual for counting absentee ballots. The manual shall include a description of the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving absentee ballots. Facsimile ballots shall be printed in the manual, illustrating potential variations in ballot markings along with the correct interpretation to be given in each situation illustrated.

(i) Write-in votes. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section the provisions of section 9-265 shall apply to write-in votes on absentee ballots at elections.

(2) Votes cast by absentee ballot at a primary may be counted only for candidates whose names appear on the ballot on primary day, and no write-in vote shall be counted except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(3) If a write-in vote on an absentee ballot is cast for a candidate for any office whose name appears on the ballot for that office on election or primary day, such candidate’s name shall be deemed to have been checked on such ballot and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (j) of this section, one vote shall be counted and recorded for such candidate for such office.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in section 9-265, if the name of a registered write-in candidate for an office is written in for such office on an absentee ballot it shall be deemed validly written in for purposes of subsection (j) of this section.

(j) Intent of voter to govern; presumptions. In the counting of absentee ballots the intent of the voter shall govern, provided the following conclusive presumptions, where applicable, shall prevail in determining such intent:

(1) If the names of more candidates for an office than the voter is entitled to vote for are checked or validly written in, then the vote cast for that office shall be deemed an invalid overvote.

(2) If the name of a candidate who has vacated his candidacy is checked such vote shall not be counted.

(3) On an absentee ballot on which candidates’ names are printed, a vote shall be deemed cast only for each candidate whose name is individually checked or validly written in, except as otherwise provided in this subsection. If a party designation is circled, checked, underscored or similarly marked in any manner, or written in, no vote shall be deemed cast or cancelled for any candidate by virtue of such marking or writing.

(k) Questions submitted to moderator for decision. If the intent of an absentee voter is difficult to ascertain due to uncertain, conflicting or incorrect ballot markings which are not clearly addressed in this section or in the procedure manual for counting absentee ballots provided by the Secretary of the State, the absentee ballot counters shall submit the ballot and their question to the moderator. They shall then count the ballot in accordance with the moderator’s decision as to the voter’s intent, if such intent is ascertainable. A ballot or part of a ballot on which the intent is determined by the moderator to be not ascertainable, shall not be counted. The moderator shall endorse on the ballot the question and his decision.

(l) Rejection of marked ballots. No absentee ballot shall be rejected as a marked ballot unless, in the opinion of the moderator, it was marked for the purpose of providing a means of identifying the voter who cast it.

(m) Placing of ballots in depository envelopes. After the absentee ballots have been so counted they shall be placed by the counters, separately by voting district, in depository envelopes prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the municipal clerk. Any notes, worksheets, or other written materials used by the counters in counting such ballots shall be endorsed by them with their names, the date and the time of the count and shall also be placed in such depository envelopes together with the ballots, and with the separate record of the number of votes cast on such ballots for each candidate as required by section 9-150b. Such depository envelopes shall then be sealed, endorsed and delivered to the moderator by the counters in the same manner as provided in subsection (f) of this section.

Sec. 9-150b. Duties of moderators and municipal clerks. Declaration of count.

(a) Moderator to record result of each count. The moderator shall record the result of each count of absentee ballots, separately by time of count, on (1) a separate moderator’s return for each voting district, and (2) a separate record of the number of absentee votes cast for each candidate for each voting district.

(b) Counting at central location. Central counting moderator’s return. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, when all counting is complete the moderator shall publicly declare the result of such count. He shall then deliver to the head moderator the central counting moderator’s returns, together with all other information required by law or by the Secretary of the State’s instructions. The head moderator shall add the results from the voting tabulators, recorded on the moderator’s return for each polling place, to the absentee count recorded on the central counting moderator’s return for the corresponding voting district, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State. The returns so completed shall show separately the tabulator vote and the absentee vote and the totals thereof.

(c) Counting in the respective polling places. Declaration of result. If the absentee ballots were counted in the respective polling places, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, when all counting is complete the moderator shall publicly declare the result of such count as provided in section 9-309 and add such count to the results from the voting tabulators recorded on the moderator’s return. Such return shall show separately the tabulator vote and the absentee vote and the totals thereof.

(d) Forms. The Secretary of the State may prescribe the forms and instructions for the tabulation, counting and return of the absentee ballot vote.

(e) Presentation of depository envelopes. The sealed depository envelopes required by subsections (f) and (m) of section 9-150a shall be returned by the moderator to the municipal clerk as soon as practicable on or before the day following the election, primary or referendum.

(f) Municipal clerk to preserve ballots, envelopes and related materials. The municipal clerk shall preserve for sixty days after the election, primary or referendum the depository envelopes containing opened envelopes and rejected ballots required by subsection (f) of section 9-150a, and shall so preserve for one hundred eighty days the depository envelopes containing counted ballots and related materials required by subsection (m) of section 9-150a.

(g) Depository envelopes not to be opened. Exceptions. No such depository envelope shall be opened except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, by the State Elections Enforcement Commission pursuant to a subpoena issued under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-7b or within five days of an election, primary or referendum for the purpose of a recanvass conducted pursuant to law. After such a recanvass the depository envelopes and their contents shall be returned to the municipal clerk and preserved for the stated period.

(h) Municipal clerk to preserve applications, void and unused ballots, records. For sixty days after the election, primary or referendum the following shall be preserved by the municipal clerk as a public record open to public inspection: (1) All executed absentee ballot application forms and direction by registrar forms, as required by subdivision (i) of section 9-140; (2) the list and index of applicants for presidential or overseas ballots as required by section 9-158h; (3) the numerical list of absentee voting sets issued as required by subsection (e) of section 9-140; (4) the list of the names of persons whose absentee ballots are received by the municipal clerk, as required by subsection (a) of section 9-140c; (5) all unused absentee ballots; and (6) all envelopes containing ballots received by the municipal clerk after the close of the polls, which shall remain unopened.

(i) Municipal clerk to preserve affidavits. For one hundred eighty days after the election, primary or referendum the following shall be preserved by the municipal clerk as a public record open to public inspection: (1) The affidavit regarding the municipal clerk’s endorsement of inner envelopes, as required by subsection (a) of section 9-140c; and (2) the affidavit regarding delivery and receipt of ballots, as required by subsection (j) of said section.

(j) Destruction of ballots, envelopes and related materials. At the expiration of the applicable retention period, if no contest is pending and no subpoena has been issued by the State Elections Enforcement Commission pursuant to subsection (1) of section 9-7b, the municipal clerk shall destroy the materials preserved under this section.

Sec. 9-150c. Procedure for delivery of ballot in case of late-occurring illness, disability or hospitalization. An applicant who applies for an absentee ballot because of unforeseen illness or physical disability occurring within six days immediately preceding the close of the polls at an election, primary or referendum or because the applicant is a patient in a hospital within such six-day period, may appoint a designee, as defined in subsection (b) of section 9-140b, to deliver the ballot to him, by stating on the application, in a space provided for that purpose, (1) the date of occurrence of the illness or disability or the name and address of the hospital in which the applicant is a patient within such six-day period, (2) the name, address and category under said subsection, of the person so designated and (3) the delivery which the person is designated to perform, provided the person so designated shall also sign a statement on the application to the effect that he consents to the designation and will perform the delivery without tampering with the ballot in any way. If the application designates a person to deliver the ballot to the applicant, that person shall personally submit the application to the municipal clerk. If such application is submitted to the clerk in person, within six days immediately preceding the close of the polls at an election or primary, by a person designated on the application to deliver the absentee ballot to the applicant as provided in this section and in subsection (b) of said section 9-140b, and if the application is dated within such time, the clerk shall give that person the absentee voting set.

Sec. 9-150d. Use of voting tabulators to count absentee ballots. A voting tabulator approved by the Secretary of the State under section 9-242 may be used to count absentee ballots in any municipality at an election, primary or referendum, provided the registrars of voters of the municipality approve the use of such tabulator and the Secretary of the State prescribes specifications for (1) the security, testing, set-up, operation and canvassing of the tabulator, (2) such absentee ballots, and (3) the training of election officials in the use of the tabulator.

Sec. 9-151. Voting in person after absentee ballot has been sent. Section 9-151 is repealed.

Sec. 9-151a. Transferred to Sec. 9-159o.

Sec. 9-152. Transferred to Sec. 9-140d.

Sec. 9-153. Clerk to preserve counters’ notes, worksheets and other written materials and envelopes, applications and void and unused ballots. Section 9-153 is repealed.

Sec. 9-153a. (Formerly Sec. 9-141). Use of federal ballot application form. The form of absentee ballot application provided by any federal department or agency, referred to in section 9-140, may be used only by a person in any one of the following categories who is eligible to vote and who expects to be unable to appear at his proper polling place for any reason specified in section 9-135: (1) Members of the armed forces, (2) the spouses and dependents of such members, (3) members of religious groups or welfare agencies assisting members of the armed forces, who are officially attached to and serving with the armed forces, and their spouses and dependents, (4) civilian employees of the United States in all categories serving outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia and their spouses and dependents when residing with or accompanying them, whether or not the employee is subject to the civil service laws and the Federal Classification Act of 1949, and whether or not paid from funds appropriated by the Congress, (5) citizens of the United States temporarily residing outside of the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia and (6) overseas citizens qualified to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 100 Stat. 924, 42 USC 1973ff et seq., as amended from time to time. Any such person may apply for an absentee ballot in the manner provided in said section 9-140, either on the form prescribed by the Secretary of the State under said section, or on the application form provided by any federal department or agency hereinbefore referred to.

Sec. 9-153b. (Formerly Sec. 9-142). Additional ballots. (a) If any absentee ballot applicant applies for an additional absentee ballot, he shall note on his application the reason for his applying for an additional absentee ballot and he shall return the absentee voting set formerly issued to him before another set is issued to him, provided, if he is unable to return the set formerly issued to him, his application for an additional ballot shall be accompanied by a statement signed under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting in which he shall set forth the reason for his inability to return the set formerly issued to him. If he fails to file such a statement, no additional set shall be issued to him.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section for members of the armed forces, the municipal clerk shall mark the serially-numbered outer envelope “rejected” and note the reasons therefor on all absentee ballots and envelopes so returned to him and shall seal such unopened ballots in a package and retain them in a safe place until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c. The municipal clerk shall keep a list of the names of each absentee ballot applicant who has applied for more than one absentee ballot, as provided in section 9-140, together with the serial number appearing on the outer envelope of each absentee voting set issued to each such applicant including the latest one issued.

(c) When an absentee ballot applicant has applied for more than one absentee ballot, only the latest absentee ballot issued to him by the municipal clerk as determined by the serial number appearing on the outer envelope may be counted and all absentee ballots and envelopes formerly issued to that applicant shall be marked rejected as provided in subsection (b) of this section and not counted.

(d) Subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply to members of the armed forces, and if more than one absentee ballot is received from any elector who is a member of the armed forces, the ballot of such elector bearing the latest postmark shall be counted if no absentee ballot of such elector has already been counted, provided that the municipal clerk shall mark all serially-numbered outer envelopes bearing earlier postmarks “rejected” and note the reasons for rejection and shall deliver such ballots in accordance with section 9-140c.

Sec. 9-153c. (Formerly Sec. 9-136b). Procedure in case of omission or error in printing or issuing of ballot. (a) If a municipal clerk has omitted the name of a candidate, party or office designation, inserted an incorrect or misspelled name of a candidate, party or office designation, provided an absentee ballot applicant with a ballot which is not the correct ballot for his voting district, or incorrectly imprinted or failed to imprint the designation of a state or local question on an absentee ballot in the appropriate space, and if any such omission or error is likely to mislead any voter, he shall, as soon as he becomes aware of such omission or error, promptly mail to each applicant to whom such an absentee ballot has been issued, a correct absentee ballot, envelopes for its return and instructions, a statement explaining the error or omission including the correct name or question and a copy of this section. The municipal clerk shall inform the Secretary of the State when he proceeds under this subsection.

(b) Any additional absentee voting sets issued to applicants under this section shall be issued in consecutive ascending numerical order based upon the serial number appearing on the outer envelope for return of ballots to the municipal clerk, and the clerk shall keep a record of such numbers by making a notation on, or attaching a memorandum to, the applicant’s original application for an absentee ballot.

(c) The municipal clerk shall keep a list containing the name, address and voting district of each absentee ballot applicant who has been issued more than one absentee ballot under this section and the serial number appearing on the outer envelope of each absentee voting set so issued. The list shall be kept with the list required under section 9-140.

(d) If more than one ballot is received from an applicant who has been sent a correct ballot under subsection (a) of this section, the ballot bearing the latest serial number shall be counted, if no ballot of such applicant has already been counted. The municipal clerk shall inscribe the word “rejected” and note the reasons for rejection on the outer envelope of each of such applicant’s other ballots not so counted and shall seal them, unopened, in a package and retain them in a safe place until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c.

Sec. 9-153d. (Formerly Sec. 9-143). Mailing of ballots to persons living outside of United States, military personnel, spouses or dependents. (a) Either registrar of voters may, not more than ninety days before the day of an election, in a form to be prescribed by the Secretary of the State, direct the municipal clerk forthwith to mail an absentee ballot, with the necessary envelopes and instructions, to the best-known address, within the knowledge of the registrar issuing such direction, of an elector or applicant for admission as an elector who is living outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia or who is a member of the armed forces, or the spouse or dependent of a member of the armed forces living where such member is stationed, whether such address is a home address or an armed service address, and such direction shall constitute sufficient application for such absentee ballot. The municipal clerk may, during such period, so act of his own motion and without waiting for the direction of a registrar of voters or other application, if the clerk first completes and retains in his records as an application the same direction form as is used by a registrar of voters.

(b) Within the time limits in subsection (b) of section 9-158c for availability of overseas ballots, either registrar of voters may, in a form to be prescribed by the Secretary of the State, direct the municipal clerk forthwith to mail an overseas ballot, with the necessary envelopes and instructions, to the best-known address, within the knowledge of the registrar issuing such direction, of a citizen of the United States who is eligible to vote as an overseas elector under sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, and such direction shall constitute sufficient application for such absentee ballot. Such ballot shall not be counted unless an application form prescribed in subsection (b) of section 9-158d is received by the town clerk prior to the day of the election or primary. The municipal clerk may, during such period, so act on his own motion and without waiting for the direction of a registrar of voters or other application, if the clerk first completes and retains in his records as an application the same direction form that is used by a registrar of voters.

Sec. 9-153e. (Formerly Sec. 9-143a). Alternate application procedure for certain military personnel. A member of the armed forces who is an elector or an applicant for admission as an elector, or the member’s spouse or dependent if living where such member is stationed, may apply before a regular election for a blank absentee ballot to vote for all offices being contested at the election. The clerk shall make such ballots available for this purpose beginning not earlier than ninety days before the election. Application shall be made upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State or on the federal postcard application form provided pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 100 Stat. 924, 42 USC 1973ff et seq., as amended from time to time, or any other applicable law and shall be issued only if the applicant states that due to military contingencies the regular application procedure, as set forth in section 9-140, cannot be followed. Upon receipt of the application, the municipal clerk shall issue the ballot either by mail or electronic means, as requested by the elector, which shall be prescribed and provided by the Secretary of the State, and a list of the offices to be voted upon indicating the number of individuals for which each elector may vote. As soon as a complete list of nominated candidates, including the party designations of such candidates, and questions is available, the clerk shall send such list to each applicant. If the list of candidates and questions is not available when the ballot is issued, the clerk shall include a statement indicating that such list shall be mailed as soon as it becomes available. The ballot shall permit the elector to vote by writing in the names of specific candidates and offices for which he is voting. The elector may also vote on the questions in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State. If such ballot is issued by electronic means, the clerk shall include a certification prescribed by the Secretary of the State that the elector shall be required to complete, sign and return with the completed ballot in order for such ballot to be counted. If the military contingency no longer exists, application for an additional ballot for all offices may be made pursuant to the provisions of section 9-153b.

Sec. 9-153f. (Formerly Sec. 9-143b). Alternate application procedure and early ballot for electors residing or traveling outside United States and certain military personnel. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-140, any elector who is living, or expects to be living or traveling before and on election day, outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia and any member of the armed forces who is an elector or an applicant for admission as an elector, or the member’s spouse or dependent if living where such member is stationed, may apply for a blank absentee ballot to vote for all offices being contested at an election or primary. Application shall be made upon a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State or on the federal postcard application form provided pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 100 Stat. 924, 42 USC 1973ff et seq., as amended from time to time, or any other applicable law. The municipal clerk receiving such an application shall, as soon as a complete list of candidates and questions to be voted upon at such election or primary becomes available, issue the ballot either by mail or electronic means, as requested by the elector, which shall be the blank ballot prescribed and provided by the Secretary of the State under section 9-153e. The clerk shall include with the ballot a complete list of the offices to be voted upon, the number of individuals for which each elector may vote, the candidates, and, in the case of an election, the party designation of each candidate and questions to be voted upon. If such ballot is issued by electronic means, the clerk shall include a certification prescribed by the Secretary of the State that the elector shall be required to complete, sign and return with the completed ballot in order for such ballot to be counted. If application for an absentee ballot is made at the time of availability of regular absentee ballots as provided in section 9-140, the provisions of section 9-140 shall prevail. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the procedures governing the issuance of ballots under this section shall conform as nearly as may be to the procedures provided in section 9-140.

Sec. 9-153g. Method for return of ballot used by certain military personnel. Report. On or before October 1, 2013, the Secretary of the State, in consultation with the Military Department, shall select a method for use in any election or primary held after September 1, 2014, for returning any ballot issued pursuant to section 9-153e or 9-153f that (1) may be used by any elector or applicant for admission as an elector who is a member of the armed forces and expects to be living or traveling outside the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia before and on election day, or such member’s spouse or dependent if living where such member is stationed, (2) gives due consideration to the interests of maintaining the security of such ballot and the privacy of information contained on such ballot, and (3) ensures receipt, prior to the closing of the polls on the day of the election or primary, of such ballot by the municipality in which the member or member’s spouse or dependent is enrolled or has applied for admission as an elector, if such method is properly utilized by such member or such member’s spouse or dependent prior to the closing of the polls on the day of the election or primary. Not later than January 1, 2014, the Secretary of the State shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections and veterans’ and military affairs describing such method and any legislative changes necessary for its implementation.

Sec. 9-154. Transferred to Sec. 9-139c.

Sec. 9-155. Transferred to Sec. 9-139a.

Sec. 9-156. Distribution and receipt of ballots by secretary. Section 9-156 is repealed.

Sec. 9-157. Transferred to Sec. 9-139b.

Sec. 9-158. Eligibility to vote for presidential electors after removal from state. Section 9-158 is repealed.

Sec. 9-158a. Presidential and federal elections; overseas balloting. Definitions. As used in sections 9-139c, 9-140b, 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, and 9-307:

(1) “Federal election” means any general or special election or any primary held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting, nominating or electing any candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, member of the United States Senate or member of the United States House of Representatives;

(2) “Former resident” means a person who was a bona fide resident of a town in this state and who has moved from that town to another state less than thirty days before the day of a presidential election and who for that reason is unable to register to vote in the election in such person’s present town or state of residence;

(3) “Overseas elector” means any person permitted to vote pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-158b;

(4) “Presidential election” means an election at which electors of President and Vice-President are elected;

(5) “Resident” means a bona fide resident of a town in this state;

(6) “State” includes any of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands; and

(7) “United States” includes the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, but does not include American Samoa, The Canal Zone, the trust territory of the Pacific Islands or any other territory or possession of the United States.

Sec. 9-158b. Eligibility for presidential or overseas ballot. (a) Each citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age, is a former resident and who has not forfeited such citizen’s electoral privileges because of a disfranchising crime, may vote for presidential and vice-presidential electors, but for no other offices, in the town in this state in which such citizen formerly resided in the manner provided in sections 9-158c to 9-158m, inclusive.

(b) Each citizen of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age; who resides outside the United States and who, immediately prior to moving outside the United States, was a bona fide resident of a town in this state; who is not registered to vote and is not voting in any other state or election district of a state or territory or in any territory or possession of the United States, who has a valid passport or card of identity and registration issued under the authority of the Secretary of State of the United States or alternative form of identification and who has not forfeited his electoral privileges because of a disfranchising crime, may vote in federal elections in the town in this state in which he formerly resided immediately prior to his departure from the United States in the manner provided in sections 9-158c to 9-158m, inclusive. The exercise of any right to vote in federal elections by any citizen outside the United States shall not affect the determination of his place of residence or domicile for purposes of any tax imposed under federal, state or local law.

(c) Each citizen of the United States born outside of the United States who is at least eighteen years of age, whose parent or guardian was a bona fide resident of a town in this state immediately prior to moving outside the United States, who is not registered to vote and is not voting in any other state or election district of a state or territory or in any territory or possession of the United States, who has a valid passport or card of identity and registration issued under the authority of the Secretary of State of the United States or alternative form of identification and who has not forfeited such citizen’s electoral privileges because of a disfranchising crime, shall be eligible to vote pursuant to this section. Such citizen may vote in federal elections in the town in this state in which the citizen’s parent or guardian formerly resided immediately prior to the parent’s or guardian’s departure from the United States, in the manner provided in sections 9-158c to 9-158m, inclusive.

Sec. 9-158c. Application for ballot. (a)(1) Not earlier than forty-five days before the election and not later than the close of the polls on election day, each former resident who desires to vote in a presidential election under sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, may apply for a “presidential ballot” to the municipal clerk of the town in which such former resident is qualified to vote on the form prescribed in section 9-158d. Application for a “presidential ballot” may be made in person or absentee, in the manner provided for applying for an absentee ballot under section 9-140, except as provided in said sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive.

(2) A municipal clerk shall have the authority to designate a location in a municipal facility for the distribution, completion and processing of presidential ballot applications and the distribution, casting and return of presidential ballots under sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, on election day. Such municipal clerk may appoint one or more presidential ballot assistants to serve at such location, may delegate to such assistants any of the responsibilities assigned to municipal clerks under said sections, and shall train and supervise such presidential ballot assistants.

(b) Each overseas elector who desires to vote in a federal election under subsection (b) of section 9-158b may apply for an overseas ballot not earlier than (1) the forty-fifth day preceding a federal election which is a general election or a general election held in conjunction with a special election, and (2) the thirtieth day preceding a federal election which is a primary or a federal election which is a special election not held in conjunction with a general election. Application shall be made to the town clerk of the municipality in which the elector is so qualified to vote on a form prescribed in subsection (b) of section 9-158d.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, in any year in which the date of a primary is advanced pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-376, overseas electors may not apply for an overseas ballot earlier than the fortieth day preceding a federal election which is a general election or a general election held in conjunction with a special election.

Sec. 9-158d. Application form. (a) The application for a presidential ballot shall be a form signed in duplicate by the applicant under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting, which shall provide substantially as follows:

To the Town Clerk of the Town of …., Connecticut

I, the undersigned, declare under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting that the following statements are true:

1. I am a citizen of the United States.
2. I have not forfeited my electoral privileges because of conviction of a disfranchising crime.
3. I was born on …., and on the day of the next presidential election, I shall be at least 18 years of age.
4. FORMER RESIDENT. I am a former resident of the above town, to which I am making this application, and resided at …. Street therein. I moved from such town to my present town and state of residence on the …. day of …., 20.., being within thirty days before the date of the next presidential election, and for that reason I cannot register to vote in said presidential election in my present town and state of residence. I am now a bona fide resident of the Town of …., in the state of …., now residing at …. Street therein.
5. I hereby apply for a “presidential ballot” for the election to be held on …., 20… I have not voted and will not vote otherwise than by this ballot at that election. I am not eligible to vote for electors of President and Vice-President in any other state.
6. The said ballot is to be given to me personally or mailed to me at

…. (bona fide mailing address)

Dated at …., this …. day of …. 20…

…. (Signature of applicant)

(b) The application for an overseas ballot shall be the federal application permitted under section 9-153a or a form signed by the applicant under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting which shall provide substantially as follows:

To the Town Clerk of the Town of …., Connecticut

I, the undersigned, declare under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting that the following statements are true:

1. I am a citizen of the United States.
2. I have not forfeited my electoral privileges because of conviction of a disfranchising crime.
3. I was born on …., and on the day of the next federal election, I shall be at least eighteen years of age.
4. I was a resident of the above town, to which I am making this application, and resided at no. …. Street therein. I moved from such town to my present residence on the …. day of …., 20… I now reside in …., at no. …. Street therein.
5. I have a valid passport or card of identity and registration issued under the authority of the Secretary of State of the United States or alternate form of identification.

to be held on …., 20… I do not maintain a domicile in any other state or election district of any state or territory or any territory or possession of the United States. I have not voted and will not vote otherwise than by this ballot at such election or primary for which I now apply for an overseas ballot. I am not eligible to vote in any town in Connecticut or in any other state or election district of any state or territory or any territory or possession of the United States.

1. The said ballot is to be mailed to me at ….

…. (Mailing address)

Dated at …., this …. day of …., 20…

…. (Signature of applicant)

Sec. 9-158e. Identification required from person applying for presidential ballot. Mailing or giving of presidential ballot to applicant. Mailing overseas ballot to applicant. (a) A person applying for a presidential ballot in person shall present: (1) A current and valid photo identification, or (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. The application for a presidential ballot by mail shall be accompanied by: (A) A copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (B) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows the name and address of the voter. Upon receipt of an application for a presidential ballot under sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, the clerk, if satisfied that the application is proper and that the applicant is qualified to vote under said sections, shall forthwith give or mail to the applicant, as the case may be, a ballot for presidential and vice-presidential electors for use at the election and instructions and envelopes for its return.

(b) Upon receipt of an application for an overseas ballot, the clerk, if satisfied that the application is proper and that the applicant is qualified to vote at the federal election for which the application is made, pursuant to the provisions of sections 9-158b to 9-158m, inclusive, shall forthwith mail a ballot containing the names and offices of the candidates for federal office and instructions and envelopes for its return to the applicant.

Sec. 9-158f. Envelope. (a) The voter, after marking his presidential ballot so as to express his choice, shall fold it so as to conceal the markings, and enclose it in an inner envelope furnished by the town clerk for such purpose. The envelope shall have imprinted upon its back a statement which shall be signed by the voter. The failure of the voter to date the statement shall not invalidate the ballot. Such statement shall be substantially as follows:

Certification of Presidential Voter

I, the undersigned, do hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting that:

(1) I am qualified to vote for Presidential and Vice-Presidential electors in the town of …. Connecticut, at the presidential election to be held on November …., 20…

(2) I have not applied, nor do I intend to apply, for a ballot to vote for Presidential and Vice-Presidential electors at said election from any other town, city, county or state, and

(3) I have not voted, and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot in said presidential election.

Dated at …., this …. day of …. 20…

…. (Signature of voter)

(b) The overseas elector, after marking his overseas ballot so as to express his choice, shall fold it so as to conceal the markings and enclose it in an inner envelope furnished by the town clerk for such purpose. The envelope shall have imprinted upon its back a statement which shall be signed by the elector. The failure of the elector to date the statement shall not invalidate the ballot. The statement shall be substantially as follows:

Certification of Overseas Elector

I, the undersigned, do hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting that:

(1) I am qualified to vote for candidates for federal office in the town of …., Connecticut, at the federal election to be held on …., 20…

(2) I have not applied, nor do I intend to apply, for a ballot to vote for candidates for federal office at said election from any other town, city or county in Connecticut or in any other state or election district of any state or territory or any territory or possession of the United States.

(3) I have not voted, and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot in said federal election.

Dated at …., this …. day of …., 20…

…. (Signature of overseas elector)

Sec. 9-158g. Return to town clerk. The voter shall sign the certification upon the inner envelope, securely seal it, enclose it in an outer serially-numbered envelope, and return it to the municipal clerk of the town in which he is qualified to vote. The clerk shall keep it in his office until delivered by him to the registrars of voters at the same time and in the same manner as is provided for absentee ballots. If the ballot is returned by a person other than the voter or the United States Postal Service, the person delivering the ballot shall sign his name and address and the date and time of its delivery on the outer envelope in the clerk’s presence. The ballot, to be cast, shall be returned so that it is received by the town clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election.

Sec. 9-158h. List of applicants. The clerk shall prepare and keep open to public inspection a list of all persons who have applied under sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, to vote as presidential voters or overseas electors with their names, voting addresses and application dates together with the serial number of the return envelopes issued, and shall maintain an alphabetical index of the list for a period of one hundred eighty days after the election or primary.

Sec. 9-158i. Secretary to prepare and distribute ballots and forms. The Secretary of the State shall prepare, print and distribute to the town clerk in each town in this state, a sufficient number of ballots and other necessary forms to be used by the persons eligible to vote for the offices of presidential electors or federal offices under the provisions of sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive. The words “Presidential Ballot” or “Overseas Ballot” shall appear on each such ballot and no such ballot shall afford any opportunity to vote for any office or officer except presidential electors or federal offices. The Secretary of the State may make any changes in any forms prescribed by, or provided for, in said sections which, in the opinion of the secretary, are necessary to cause said forms to conform to the provisions of applicable federal law.

Sec. 9-158j. Notice to registrars. Upon receipt of an application for a “Presidential Ballot” or “Overseas Ballot” the town clerk shall forthwith notify the registrars of voters of the applicant’s name, with a notation designating him as a person voting for presidential and vice-presidential electors or federal offices only. If the name of a presidential voter who is a former resident appears on the registry list, the registrars shall insert the letters “pf” in the margin preceding his name. The registrars shall prepare a list of names and addresses of presidential voters and overseas electors whose names do not appear on the registry list, for each voting district, which list shall accompany the check list to be used at such election in such district. The registrars shall insert the letters “pf” in the margin of such list of presidential voters preceding the name of each applicant who is a former resident.

Sec. 9-158k. Town clerk to maintain file of information from other states or towns. Section 9-158k is repealed, effective July 1, 2013.

Sec. 9-158l. False statements. Neglect of duty by public official. Any person wilfully making a false statement on any statement required by sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, to be made in the form of an affidavit or a statement under penalties of false statement in absentee balloting, shall be subject to the penalties imposed by law for such statements. If any public official wilfully refuses or neglects to perform any of the duties prescribed by sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, or violates any of the provisions of said sections, such official shall be subject to the penalties imposed by law.

Sec. 9-158m. Absentee voting law applicable. Except as otherwise provided in sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive, the provisions of law relating to absentee ballots shall apply to the distribution, casting and counting of presidential and overseas ballots under said sections and to the furnishing of election supplies and ballots, canvassing of ballots and making returns of the results of the election under said sections.

Sec. 9-158n. Voting in person. Section 9-158n is repealed.

Secs. 9-159 to 9-159m. Ballots. Overseas ballots. Sections 9-159 to 9-159m, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-159n. Transferred to Sec. 9-159q.

Sec. 9-159o. (Formerly Sec. 9-151a). Voting in person after ballot has been sent. Any elector who has returned an absentee ballot to the municipal clerk and who finds he is able to vote in person shall proceed before ten o’clock a.m. on election, primary or referendum day to the municipal clerk’s office and request that his ballot be withdrawn. The municipal clerk shall remove the ballot from the sealed package and shall mark the serially-numbered outer envelope, which shall remain unopened, “rejected” and note the reasons for rejection. The elector shall also endorse the envelope. The rejected ballot shall then be returned to the sealed package until delivered on election, primary or referendum day to the registrars of voters in accordance with section 9-140c. The municipal clerk shall then give the elector a signed statement directed to the moderator of the voting district in which the elector resides stating that the elector has withdrawn his absentee ballot and may vote in person. Upon delivery of the statement by the elector to the moderator, the moderator shall cause the absentee indication next to the name of the elector to be stricken from the official checklist and the elector may then have his name checked and vote in person. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the municipal clerk shall also cause the absentee indication next to the name of the elector to be stricken from the duplicate checklist to be used by the absentee ballot counters.

Sec. 9-159p. (Formerly Sec. 9-232g). Challenge of absentee ballots. (a) Any elector may challenge the right of any person offering to vote by absentee ballot based upon false identity, disenfranchisement for conviction of a felony or lack of bona fide residence. The failure of an elector to challenge, pursuant to this section, the right of a person to vote by absentee ballot shall not bar such elector from bringing an action to contest the primary or election under section 9-323, 9-324, 9-328 or 9-329a, based on the alleged invalidity of the absentee ballot cast at such primary or election.

(b) Challenges shall not be made indiscriminately and may only be made if the challenger knows or reasonably believes that the right of the person offering to vote by absentee ballot should be denied on one or more of the grounds specified in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Challenges made concerning ballots that the municipal clerk has not delivered to the registrars of voters for counting pursuant to sections 9-140cand 9-147a shall be made in writing to the municipal clerk. Challenges made concerning ballots that the municipal clerk has delivered to the registrars of voters for counting pursuant to sections 9-140c and 9-147a shall be made in writing to the central counting moderator or the moderator of the polling place at which the ballot is to be counted pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a. All challenges shall be made under oath.

(d) Immediately upon receipt of a challenge, the municipal clerk shall send copies of the challenge to each registrar of voters and to the person offering to vote by absentee ballot. The municipal clerk shall send the copy of the challenge to the person offering to vote by first class certified mail to the mailing address shown on the application for the absentee ballot. The municipal clerk shall furnish copies of any written response to the challenge to each registrar of voters. The municipal clerk shall deliver the ballot in the inner envelope, which shall not be opened, the serially-numbered envelope and any other evidence relevant to the challenge, to the registrars, who shall sign a receipt for the same.

(e) Immediately upon receipt of a challenge, the moderator shall deliver copies of the challenge to each registrar of voters. The moderator shall also deliver, or designate another election, primary or referendum official to deliver, the ballot in the inner envelope, which shall not be opened, the serially-numbered envelope and any other evidence relevant to the challenge to the registrars, who shall sign a receipt for the same.

(f) The registrars of voters shall examine the challenge, any written response to the challenge and any other evidence or information they deem relevant to the challenge, including the inner envelope, which shall not be opened, and shall determine whether the challenge should be upheld. If the registrars fail to agree that the challenge should be upheld, it shall be deemed to have been denied.

(g) The registrars of voters shall make the determination not earlier than noon of the day of the election, primary or referendum at which the ballot is submitted and not later than the time when the counting of all other absentee ballots at the election, primary or referendum has been completed.

(h) The registrars of voters shall notify, in writing, the municipal clerk and the central counting moderator, or the moderator of the polling place at which the ballot is to be counted pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, of their determination. If the challenge is denied, the absentee ballot shall be delivered by the registrars to the appropriate location for counting pursuant to law. If the challenge is upheld, the registrars shall mark the word “rejected” on the serially-numbered outer envelope and note the reasons for rejection, and shall return it together with all other evidence received in connection with the challenge to the municipal clerk who shall retain the same until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c, except that a challenge to a ballot which the municipal clerk has delivered to the registrars of voters for counting pursuant to sections 9-140c and 9-147ashall be returned to the moderator to whom the challenge was made.

(i) Within five days after the election, primary or referendum the municipal clerk shall send to the person whose offer to vote was challenged a copy of the written determination of the registrars and a statement as to the disposition of the absentee ballot.

Sec. 9-159q. (Formerly Sec. 9-159n). Supervised absentee voting by patients at institutions upon request of registrar, administrator. Supervised absentee voting by applicants from same street address at discretion of registrars. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Institution” means a veterans’ health care facility, residential care home, health care facility for the handicapped, nursing home, rest home, mental health facility, alcohol or drug treatment facility, an infirmary operated by an educational institution for the care of its students, faculty and employees or an assisted living facility; and

(2) “Designee” means an elector of the same town and political party as the appointing registrar of voters which elector is not an employee of the institution at which supervised voting is conducted.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, if less than twenty of the patients in any institution in the state are electors, absentee ballots voted by such electors shall, upon request of either registrar of voters in the town of such electors’ voting residence or the administrator of such institution, be voted under the supervision of such registrars of voters or their designees in accordance with the provisions of this section. The registrars of voters of a town other than the town in which an institution is located may refuse a request by the administrator of such institution when, in their written opinion, the registrars agree that such request is unnecessary, in which case this section shall not apply. Such registrars shall inform the administrator and the town clerk of the electors’ town of voting residence of their refusal.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, such request shall be made in writing and filed with the town clerk and registrars of voters of the town of such electors’ voting residence, not more than forty-five days prior to an election or thirty-four days prior to a primary and not later than the seventh day prior to an election or primary. The request shall specify the name and location of the institution and the date and time when the registrars of voters or their designees shall supervise the casting of absentee ballots at the institution. The request shall also specify one or more alternate dates and times when supervised voting may occur. No request shall specify a date or an alternate date for supervised voting which is later than the last business day before the election or primary.

(d) The town clerk shall not mail or otherwise deliver an absentee ballot to an applicant who is a patient in any institution if a request for supervision of absentee balloting at that institution has been filed with the clerk during the period set forth in subsection (c) of this section. The clerk shall instead deliver such ballot or ballots to the registrars of voters or their designees who will supervise the voting of such ballots in accordance with this section.

(e) Except in the case of a written refusal as provided in subsection (b) of this section, upon receipt of a request for supervision of absentee balloting during the period set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the registrar or registrars of voters who received the request shall inform the registrar or administrator who made the request and the town clerk as to the date and time when such supervision shall occur, which shall be the date and time contained in the request or the alternate date and time contained in the request. If the registrar or registrars fail to select either date, the supervision shall take place on the date and time contained in the request. If a request for supervision of absentee balloting at an institution is filed during the period set forth in subsection (c) of this section and the town clerk receives an application for an absentee ballot from a patient in the institution after the date when supervised balloting occurred, either registrar of voters may request, in writing, to the appropriate town clerk and registrars of voters that the supervision of the voting of absentee ballots at such institution in accordance with this section be repeated, and in such case the registrars or their designees shall supervise absentee balloting at such institution on the date and at the time specified in the subsequent request, which shall be not later than the last business day before the election or primary.

(f) On the date when the supervision of absentee balloting at any institution is to occur, the town clerk shall deliver to the registrars or their designees the absentee ballots and envelopes for all applicants who are electors of such clerk’s town and patients at such institution. The ballot and envelopes shall be prepared for delivery to the applicant as provided in sections 9-137 to 9-140a, inclusive. The registrars or their designees shall furnish the town clerk a written receipt for such ballots.

(g) The registrars or their designees, as the case may be, shall jointly deliver the ballots to the respective applicants at the institution and shall jointly supervise the voting of such ballots. The ballots shall be returned to the registrars or their designees by the electors in the envelopes provided and in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-137, 9-139 and 9-140a. If any elector asks for assistance in voting his ballot, two registrars or their designees of different political parties or, for a primary, their designees of different candidates, shall render such assistance as they deem necessary and appropriate to enable such elector to vote his ballot. The registrars or their designees may reject a ballot when (1) the elector declines to vote a ballot, or (2) the registrars or their designees are unable to determine how the elector who has requested their assistance desires to vote the ballot. When the registrars or their designees reject a ballot, they shall mark the serially-numbered outer envelope “rejected” and note the reasons for rejection. Nothing in this section shall limit the right of an elector to vote his ballot in secret.

(h) After all ballots have been voted or marked “rejected” in accordance with subsection (g) of this section, the registrars or their designees shall jointly deliver or mail them in the envelopes, which shall be sealed, to the appropriate town clerk, who shall retain them until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c.

(i) When an institution is located in a town having a primary, the registrar in that town of the party holding the primary shall appoint for each such institution, one designee of the party-endorsed candidates and one designee of the contestants from the lists, if any, submitted by the party-endorsed candidates and contestants. Such registrar shall notify all party-endorsed candidates and all contestants of their right to submit a list of potential designees under this section. Each party-endorsed candidate and each contestant may submit to such registrar in writing a list of names of potential designees, provided any such list shall be submitted not later than ten days before the primary. If no such lists are submitted within said period, such registrar shall appoint one designee of the party-endorsed candidates and one designee of the contestants. Each designee appointed pursuant to this section shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties, and the registrar shall file a certificate of each designation with his town clerk.

(j) Any registrar of voters who has filed a request that the absentee balloting at an institution be supervised and any registrar required to conduct a supervision of voting under this section, who neglects to perform any of the duties required of him by this section so as to cause any elector to lose his vote shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any registrar from the same town as a registrar who has filed such a request may waive his right to participate in the supervision of absentee balloting.

(k) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if the spouse or a child of a registrar of voters or a dependent relative residing in the registrar’s household is a candidate in the election or primary for which supervised absentee voting is to occur, such registrar shall not supervise such absentee voting but may designate the deputy registrar of voters or an assistant registrar of voters, appointed by the registrar pursuant to section 9-192, to supervise the absentee voting in his place.

(l) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, if a town clerk receives twenty or more absentee ballot applications from the same street address in a town, including, but not limited to, an apartment building or complex, absentee ballots voted by the electors submitting such applications may, at the discretion of the registrars of voters of such town, be voted under the supervision of such registrars of voters or their designees in accordance with the same procedures set forth in this section for supervised absentee voting at institutions.

Sec. 9-159r. Mandatory supervised voting at institutions. Procedure. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, if twenty or more of the patients in any institution in the state are electors, absentee ballots voted by such electors shall be voted under the supervision of the registrars of voters or their designees of the town in which the institution is located, in accordance with the provisions of this section. As used in this section, the term “institution” shall be construed as defined in section 9-159q.

(b) Application for an absentee ballot for any such patient shall be made to the clerk of the town in which such patient is eligible to vote. The application procedure set forth in section 9-140 shall apply, except that the clerk shall deliver the absentee voting set for any such application to the clerk of the town in which the institution is located, who shall deliver all such voting sets he receives to the registrars of such town, on the date when the supervision of absentee balloting is to occur. The ballots and envelopes shall be prepared for delivery to the applicant as provided in sections 9-137 to 9-140a, inclusive. The registrars or their designees shall furnish the town clerk a written receipt for such ballots. The registrars of the town in which an institution is located and the administrator of the institution shall mutually agree on a date and time for such supervision of absentee balloting, which shall be not later than the last business day before the election or primary.

(c) The supervision of absentee balloting under this section shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of subsections (g), (h), (i) and (k) of section 9-159q.

Sec. 9-159s. Notice to conservators and guardians re residents’ voting opportunities and voting registration. Optional notice to person with power of attorney.(a) The administrator of an institution, as defined in subsection (a) of section 9-159q, a residential facility for persons with intellectual disability licensed pursuant to section 17a-227, or a community residence, as defined in section 19a-507a, shall use his or her best efforts to provide written notice pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to any conservator or guardian appointed to manage the affairs of a resident of such institution, facility or residence pursuant to sections 45a-644 to 45a-663, inclusive, or sections 45a-669 to 45a-683, inclusive, at least seven days prior to the date any voter registration or voting opportunity is presented to the resident with respect to a primary, referendum or election. As used in this section, “voter registration” or “voting opportunity” includes, but is not limited to, the solicitation or completion of: (1) An application for admission as an elector; or (2) an absentee ballot, regardless of whether supervised absentee ballot voting will take place at such institution. The administrator of such institution, facility or residence shall also use his or her best efforts to provide written notice to any such conservator or guardian at least seven days prior to the date when the resident may be brought to a polling place to vote in person. The notification provisions of this section shall not apply when a member of the resident’s immediate family provides the resident with an absentee ballot application or brings the resident to a polling place to vote.

(b) Any such notice shall indicate that the resident is entitled to vote or register to vote unless the resident is determined incompetent to do so by a probate court, or unless the registrars of voters or their designees jointly conclude at a supervised voting session that the resident declines to vote the ballot or they are unable to determine how the resident desires to vote the ballot, as provided in subsection (g) of section 9-159q. The notice shall also specify that a resident who requires assistance to vote in accordance with section 9-264 by reason of blindness, disability or inability to read or write may receive assistance from a person of the resident’s choosing.

(c) The administrator of any such institution, facility or residence may also provide such notice to a person with a power of attorney for a resident of the institution, facility or residence.

Secs. 9-160 to 9-163j. Affidavit; envelopes. Application for absentee ballot. Procedure for voting. Notice to registrars of voters; delivery and counting of ballots. Voting by new residents in presidential elections. Sections 9-160 to 9-163j, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-163k. Pilot program for absentee voting. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Commission” means the State Elections Enforcement Commission; and

(2) “Designee” means (A) a person who is caring for an absentee ballot applicant because of the applicant’s illness or physical disability, including but not limited to, a licensed physician or a registered or practical nurse, or (B) a member of any such applicant’s family, who is designated by an absentee ballot applicant and who consents to such designation.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall establish a pilot program for absentee voting at the municipal elections and primaries held in three municipalities in 2003. The commission shall notify municipalities of the opportunity to participate in the pilot program and shall select three municipalities to participate, provided the legislative body of each such municipality or, in the case of a municipality in which the legislative body is a town meeting, the board of selectmen, consents to such participation. In making such selections, the commission shall rank all municipalities from highest population to lowest population, and select one municipality in the highest third of such ranking, one municipality in the middle third of such ranking, and one municipality in the lowest third of such ranking.

(c) The provisions of this chapter shall apply in each municipality participating in the pilot program, except that:

(1) Only municipal clerks, registrars of voters and absentee ballot coordinators appointed by registrars of voters may issue absentee ballot applications;

(2) Such officials may issue absentee ballot applications only to persons who (A) request such applications for themselves, (B) have been identified by candidates or political parties as potential absentee voters, or (C) are designees;

(3) For a municipal election, each registrar of voters shall appoint at least one absentee ballot coordinator for each two hundred persons who voted by absentee ballot in the most recent municipal election. For a municipal primary, each registrar of voters shall appoint at least one absentee ballot coordinator for each two hundred persons who voted by absentee ballot in the most recent municipal primary. A registrar of voter’s appointment of an absentee ballot coordinator shall not be effective until the registrar files the appointment with the municipal clerk;

(4) Absentee ballot coordinators serving in a municipality shall be residents of such municipality (A) who apply for such positions, or (B) whose names are submitted by candidates or slates of candidates at the election or primary or by political parties. Absentee ballot coordinators may not be municipal employees or members of a town committee or be employed by, or volunteer for, any campaign or political party;

(5) Absentee ballot coordinators may be compensated by the municipalities appointing the coordinators and shall receive training in absentee voting procedures by the appointing registrar or registrars of voters and be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties as election officials, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-231;

(6) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, only absentee ballot coordinators may be present and provide assistance to an applicant in completing an absentee ballot application outside of the office of a registrar of voters or a municipal clerk. In the case of a municipal election, two absentee ballot coordinators of different political parties, and in the case of a primary, two absentee ballot coordinators representing competing slates or candidates in the primary, shall jointly provide such assistance to an applicant residing in the municipality who requests it. Each coordinator who provides such assistance shall sign the application in the space provided. One or both of such coordinators shall deliver the completed application to the municipal clerk not later than two business days after the date of completion of the application. This section shall not apply to supervised voting at institutions under section 9-159q or 9-159r; and

(B) A designee of an ill or physically disabled applicant may also be present and provide assistance to an applicant in completing an absentee ballot application. The persons listed in subsection (a) of section 9-140b may also assist in the return of absentee ballot applications;

(7) Each absentee ballot coordinator shall account to the municipal clerk for blank absentee ballot applications issued by the coordinator;

(8) When a municipal clerk or a registrar of voters provides assistance to an absentee ballot applicant in the office or the clerk or registrar, such official shall also sign the application; and

(9) The list of absentee ballot applicants who have executed applications shall remain confidential until the third business day before an election or primary.

(d) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall have the power to enforce the provisions of this section to the same extent as the commission has the power to enforce provisions of election statutes under section 9-7b.

(e) After the municipal elections and primaries held in 2003, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall survey election officials and participants in the three municipalities participating in the pilot program for absentee voting. Not later than January 15, 2004, the commission shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations concerning the pilot program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections.

Chapter 146 – Elections

CHAPTER 146 – ELECTIONS

PART I

GENERAL

Sec. 9-164. Regular and special municipal elections. (a) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, there shall be held in each municipality, biennially, a municipal election on the first Monday of May or the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, of the odd-numbered years, whichever date the legislative body of such municipality determines, provided, if no action is taken by the legislative body to so designate the date of such election, such election shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November of the odd-numbered years. In any municipality where the term of any elected official would expire prior to the next regular election held under the provisions of this section, the term of such official shall be extended to the date of such election.

(b) Upon the occurrence of a vacancy in a municipal office or upon the creation of a new office to be filled prior to the next regular election, a special municipal election may be convened either by the board of selectmen of the municipality or upon application of twenty electors of the municipality filed with the municipal clerk. The date of such election shall be determined by the board of selectmen of the municipality, and notice of such date shall be filed with the municipal clerk. In determining the date of such election, the board of selectmen shall allow the time specified for holding primaries for municipal office in section 9-423 and the time specified for the selection of party-endorsed candidates for municipal office in section 9-391. On application of twenty electors of the municipality, the date of such election, as determined by the board of selectmen, shall be not later than the one hundred fiftieth day following the filing of such application, provided, if such date of such election is not more than thirty days before a regular election is to be held in such municipality, the Secretary of the State may combine such special municipal election with the regular election. Except as otherwise provided by general statute, the provisions of the general statutes pertaining to elections and primaries shall apply to special municipal elections. No such election may be held unless the municipal clerk first files notice of the office or offices to be filled at such election with the town chairman of the town committee of each major and minor party within the municipality and with the Secretary of the State at least three weeks in advance of the final time specified for the selection of party-endorsed candidates for municipal office in section 9-391. The municipal clerk shall forthwith warn such election in the same manner as the warning of municipal elections pursuant to section 9-226.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of subsection (b) of this section to the contrary, any town which by charter provides that a vacancy in its legislative body shall be filled by a special election held no later than forty-five days after the effective date of the vacancy shall hold such election not later than forty-five days after the occurrence of the vacancy. No such election may be held unless the municipal clerk forthwith upon the occurrence of the vacancy files notice of the office to be filled at the election with the town chairman of the town committee of each major and minor party within the municipality and with the Secretary of the State. Nominations by political parties for such office shall be made as the rules of such parties which are filed with the town clerk provide, in accordance with section 9-390. Such nominations may be made and certified at any time after the vacancy occurs but not later than the thirty-sixth day before the day of the election. No such nomination shall be effective until the presiding officer and secretary of the town committee certify the nomination to the town clerk. No primary shall be held for the nomination of any political party to fill any vacancy in such office and the party-endorsed candidate so certified shall be deemed the nominee of such party. Nominations may also be made by petition in the manner provided in sections 9-379 and 9-453a to 9-453p, inclusive, which petitions shall be submitted to the town clerk of the town in which the signers reside not later than the thirty-sixth day before the day of the election and filed in the office of the Secretary of the State not later than two days thereafter. The municipal clerk shall forthwith warn such election in the same manner as the warning of municipal elections pursuant to section 9-226.

Sec. 9-164a. Transitional terms of office. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, in any municipality in which the date of the municipal election has been changed under section 9-164 and in which the terms of office of one or more elected municipal officers had not, or will have not, expired at the time of the holding of the first municipal election in accordance with such changed date under said section, the legislative body of such municipality shall, prior to July 25, 1969, provide for a reasonable method of transition for such offices which may include reasonable extension of such terms and provision for interim terms. Except as provided in sections 9-164b to 9-164f, inclusive, 9-187 and 9-187a, in the absence of such action by such legislative body, the terms of any such officers which do not terminate within three months after such first or a subsequent municipal election held under said section 9-164 shall be extended to the municipal election next held after the expiration of such terms, or to such date, within seventy days after such election, on which the terms of municipal officers generally begin in such municipality, at which election successors shall be elected for the terms provided for by law or for such other transitional terms as are necessary to provide the rotation required by law. The clerk of the municipality, in preparing the list provided for under section 9-254, shall set forth such terms or transitional terms therein.

Sec. 9-164b. Deferred terms. As to any board or commission with a rotating membership, some of the members of which, prior to the change to a uniform municipal election date under section 9-164, were elected for terms beginning approximately one year after the date of their election, the legislative body may provide for such conforming changes in the beginning date of the terms of office as are designed to continue the rotation with regard to such office as it existed prior to such change, and in the absence of such action by such legislative body, the beginning date of the terms of such office shall be so changed by the clerk of the municipality in preparing the list provided for under section 9-254. With respect to any board or commission with a rotating membership established under sections 8-1, 8-4a, 8-5 and 8-19, the authority empowered to prescribe the term of office of the members of such board or commission, if it is authorized under said sections to provide for an odd-numbered year term, may further provide for deferred terms by prescribing which terms are to begin approximately one year from the date on which the terms of municipal officers generally begin in such municipality.

Sec. 9-164c. Change of municipal election date. After January 1, 1970, any municipality may by charter, or by vote of the legislative body approved at a referendum of the electors to be held within thirty days thereafter, change the date of its municipal election by designating the alternate date specified in section 9-164 as the date of the municipal election, provided (1) no such charter provision adopted, nor such vote of such legislative body so approved, within six months prior to any municipal election may be effective with respect thereto, and (2) in changing from the November municipal election date specified in section 9-164 to the May municipal election date therein specified, the terms of incumbent municipal elected officials shall be diminished to conform to such change but for a period of not more than nine months and (3) in changing from the May municipal election date specified in section 9-164 to the November date therein specified, the terms of incumbent municipal elected officials shall be extended to conform to such change but for a period of not more than nine months.

Sec. 9-164d. Notification to secretary. The clerk of a municipality shall forthwith notify the Secretary of the State in writing of any change in the date of the municipal election of such municipality or in terms of elected officials thereof, the date such action was taken, the effective date thereof, the manner in which or the authority by which it was taken, and reference to the law under which it was taken.

Sec. 9-164e. Proposed action to be submitted to municipal attorney. Before any action is taken under sections 9-164a to 9-164f, inclusive, 9-187 and 9-187a, such proposed action shall be submitted by the legislative body to the municipal attorney of the municipality taking such action for approval as to conforming to law.

Sec. 9-164f. Election of registrars unaffected. Nothing in sections 9-164a to 9-164e, inclusive, 9-187 and 9-187a, shall affect the election of registrars of voters.

Secs. 9-165 to 9-167. Biennial town elections: Change to from annual elections, unexpired terms; term and method of rotation of board members. Sections 9-165 to 9-167, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-167a. Minority representation. (a)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, the maximum number of members of any board, commission, legislative body, committee or similar body of the state or any political subdivision thereof, whether elective or appointive, who may be members of the same political party, shall be as specified in the following table:

(2) The provisions of this section shall not apply (A) to any such board, commission, committee or body whose members are elected wholly or partially on the basis of a geographical division of the state or political subdivision, (B) to a legislative body of a municipality (i) having a town meeting as its legislative body, or (ii) for which the charter or a special act, on January 1, 1987, provided otherwise, (C) to the city council of an unconsolidated city within a town and the town council of such town if the town has a town council and a representative town meeting, the town charter provides for some form of minority representation in the election of members of the representative town meeting, and the city has a city council and a body having the attributes of a town meeting, or (D) to the board of directors and other officers of any district, as defined in section 7-324, having annual receipts from all sources not in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars.

(b) Prior to any election for or appointment to any board, commission, legislative body, committee or similar body of the state or any political subdivision thereof, the municipal clerk, in cases of elections, and the appointing authority, in cases of appointments, shall determine the maximum number of members of any political party who may be elected or appointed to such body at such election or appointment. Such maximum number shall be determined for each political party in the following manner: From the number of members of one political party who are members of such body at the time of the election or appointment, subtract the number of members of such political party whose terms expire prior to the commencement of the terms for which such election or appointment is being held or made and subtract the balance thus arrived at from the appropriate number specified in column II of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) In the case of any election to any such body, the winner or winners shall be determined as under existing law with the following exception: The municipal clerk shall prepare a list of the candidates ranked from top to bottom according to the number of votes each receives; when the number of members of any one political party who would be elected without regard to this section exceeds the maximum number as determined under subsection (b) of this section, only the candidates of such political party with the highest number of votes up to the limit of such maximum shall be elected, and the names of the remaining candidates of such political party shall be stricken from the list. The next highest ranking candidates shall be elected up to the number of places to be filled at such election.

(d) If an unexpired portion of a term is to be filled at the same time as a full term, the unexpired term shall be deemed to be filled before the full term for purposes of applying this section. At such time as the minority representation provisions of this section become applicable to any board, commission, committee or body, any vacancy thereafter occurring which is to be filled by appointment shall be filled by the appointment of a member of the same political party as that of the vacating member.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to repeal, modify or prohibit enactment of any general or special act or charter which provides for a greater degree of minority representation than is provided by this section.

(f) Nothing in this section shall deprive any person who is a member of any such body on July 1, 1960, of the right to remain as a member until the expiration of his term.

(g) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to be a member of the political party on whose enrollment list his name appears on the date of his appointment to, or of his nomination as a candidate for election to, any office specified in subsection (a) of this section, provided any person who has applied for erasure or transfer of his name from an enrollment list shall be considered a member of the party from whose list he has so applied for erasure or transfer for a period of three months from the date of the filing of such application and provided further any person whose candidacy for election to an office is solely as the candidate of a party other than the party with which he is enrolled shall be deemed to be a member of the party of which he is such candidate.

(h) For the purposes of this section, the appointing authority for any member of any board or commission shall notify all other appointing authorities for members of such board or commission of each appointment made, including the name, town of residence and political affiliation of the person appointed, not later than five calendar days after such appointment. Such notification may be transmitted by electronic means.

Sec. 9-168. Place of holding elections. In any town not divided into voting districts, the place of holding elections may be determined by the legislative body of such town. In towns divided into voting districts the place of holding elections shall be determined as provided in section 9-169 or any special act, whichever applies. Except as provided in section 9-169a, state elections shall be held at the usual place or places of holding elections in the town or the voting districts thereof, as the case may be, unless the registrars of voters, in writing, have designated to the clerk of such town, at least thirty-one days before any such state election, a different place or places for holding such election. Unless otherwise provided by special act, the place of holding city or borough elections shall be determined by the legislative body of such city or borough. Any provision of any charter or special act to the contrary notwithstanding, the place or places of holding an election shall be determined at least thirty-one days prior to such election, and such place or places shall not be changed within the period of thirty-one days prior to such election except that, if the municipal clerk and registrars of voters of a municipality unanimously find that any such polling place within such municipality has been rendered unusable within such period, they shall forthwith designate another polling place to be used in place of the one so rendered unusable and shall give adequate notice that such polling place has been so changed.

Sec. 9-168a. Polling places for voting districts whose lines differ from the district lines as constituted in a municipal election year and for voting districts with less than one thousand five hundred electors who vote for officers that no other electors of town vote for. Combined voting districts and polling places. (a) Any provision of the general statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, in any municipality in which, at any election, or primary, as a result of the assembly, senatorial or congressional district lines in effect, there is a voting district or a part of a voting district which differs geographically from the district lines as constituted in a municipal election year, the registrars of voters may either provide a suitable polling place therein or may, in lieu thereof, with the approval of the legislative body of the municipality, provide separate voting tabulators in the polling place of another voting district in said municipality for use by such electors. The registrars of voters shall determine which polling place officials are necessary for such separate tabulators and shall provide the procedure to ensure that the electors use the proper voting tabulator, which procedure may include the registrars of voters prescribing and providing receipts.

(b) Any provision of the general statutes to the contrary notwithstanding, in any municipality in which, at any election or primary, as a result of the assembly, senatorial or congressional district lines in effect, there is a voting district with less than one thousand five hundred electors who vote for a combination of officers that no other electors of the town vote for, the registrars of voters may either provide a suitable polling place therein or may, in lieu thereof, provide separate voting tabulators in the polling place of another voting district in said municipality for use by such electors. If the registrars of voters provide separate voting tabulators in the polling place of another voting district, they shall determine which polling place officials are necessary for the district containing less than one thousand five hundred electors and shall provide the procedure to ensure that the electors use the proper voting tabulators, which procedure may include the registrars of voters prescribing and providing receipts.

(c) In any election or primary where electors in more than one voting district vote in the same building and vote for all the same officers, and the law does not require separate returns, the registrars of voters may combine the voting districts and polling places into one voting district and polling place, with or without integrating the voting districts on the check lists used at the election or primary. The registrars of voters shall file a statement of their action with the town clerk before the election or primary and the town clerk shall label the polling place return form to show which districts are combined on such return.

Sec. 9-168b. Designation of polling places in adjacent voting districts. When in the written opinion of the registrars of any municipality, the lack of an existing convenient or suitable polling place within the lines of a particular voting district necessitates the designation of a polling place in an adjacent district, such registrars may designate a convenient and suitable polling place in a voting district adjacent thereto, located as near as possible to the boundaries of the voting district for which designated. A separate location from the existing polling place for such adjacent district shall be designated, except that a separate room within such existing polling place may be designated. Such written opinion and designation shall be filed with the municipal clerk not later than ninety days before a regular election, or primary. Within ten days after such filing, the municipal clerk shall cause notice of such filing to be published in the newspaper having the greatest circulation in the town. Such designation shall remain in effect for future elections and primaries, until the registrars file a document with the municipal clerk stating that the designation of such polling place in an adjacent district is no longer necessary.

Sec. 9-168c. Accessibility of polling places to physically disabled voters. Section 9-168c is repealed.

Sec. 9-168d. Accessibility of polling places to physically disabled voters. Certification. Waiver of requirements. (a) On or before July 1, 1980, each polling place shall be made accessible to and usable by physically disabled persons by complying with the following standards of accessibility: (1) Doors, entrances, and exits used to gain access to or egress from the polling place shall have a minimum width of thirty-one inches; (2) temporary ramps shall be made available or curb cuts provided where necessary for accessibility to the entrance; (3) any stairs necessarily used to enter the polling place shall have a temporary handrail and ramp; (4) in the polling place, no barrier shall impede the path of the physically disabled to the voting booth.

(b) The registrars of voters in each town, or the legislative body of the town, shall select as polling places only those sites which meet the standards of accessibility required under the State Building Code, as revised pursuant to section 29-269, if applicable, or this section. The registrars of voters in each town shall file with the Secretary of the State either: (1) A certification, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State, that states that each polling place selected complies with the provisions set forth in this subsection, or (2) an application for waiver, as described in subsection (c) of this section.

(c) The registrars or such legislative body may select a site not meeting such standards if no available site within the voting district or town can reasonably be made accessible if an application for waiver is filed with the Secretary of the State and approved by the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities. An application for waiver shall be filed at least sixty days prior to the date on which the primary or election will be held. The Secretary of the State shall, within seven days after receipt of any such application, refer the application to said office of protection and advocacy. Said office shall, within thirty days, review the application and inform the Secretary of the State of its approval or disapproval. The Secretary of the State shall notify the applicant for waiver of such approval or disapproval within seven days after the secretary is so informed.

Sec. 9-168e. Parking spaces at polling places for handicapped and infirm elderly persons. If space is available at a polling place, the registrars of voters or legislative body of the town in which the polling place is located shall designate two or more parking spaces for motor vehicles (1) which display the special parking identification card or bear the special set of number plates provided for in section 14-253a or (2) which are operated by infirm persons who are sixty-five years of age or older and who do not qualify for such a card.

Sec. 9-169. Voting districts. The legislative body of any town, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough may divide and, from time to time, redivide such municipality into voting districts. The registrars of voters of any municipality taking such action shall provide a suitable polling place in each district but, if the registrars fail to agree as to the location of any polling place or places, the legislative body shall determine the location thereof. Polling places to be used in an election shall be determined at least thirty-one days before such election, and such polling places shall not be changed within said period of thirty-one days except that, if the municipal clerk and registrars of voters of a municipality unanimously find that any such polling place within such municipality has been rendered unusable within such period, they shall forthwith designate another polling place to be used in place of the one so rendered unusable and shall give adequate notice that such polling place has been so changed. The registrars of voters shall keep separate lists of the electors residing in each district and shall appoint for each district a moderator in accordance with the provisions of section 9-229 and such other election officials as are required by law, and shall designate one of the moderators so appointed or any other elector of such town to be the head moderator for the purpose of declaring the results of elections in the whole municipality. The registrars may also designate a deputy head moderator to assist the head moderator in the performance of his duties provided the deputy head moderator and the head moderator shall not be enrolled in the same major party, as defined in subdivision (5) of section 9-372. The selectmen, town clerk, registrars of voters and all other officers of the municipality shall perform the duties required of them by law with respect to elections in each voting district established in accordance with this section. Voting district lines shall not be drawn by a municipality so as to conflict with the lines of congressional districts, senate districts or assembly districts as established by law, except (1) as provided in section 9-169d and (2) that as to municipal elections, any part of a split voting district containing less than two hundred electors may be combined with another voting district adjacent thereto from which all and the same officers are elected at such municipal election. Any change in the boundaries of voting districts made within ninety days prior to any election or primary shall not apply with respect to such election or primary. The provisions of this section shall prevail over any contrary provision of any charter or special act.

Sec. 9-169a. Split voting districts. For the purposes of this section and section 9-169, “split voting district” means a voting district which was divided by statute or otherwise divided by law pursuant to article 26 of the amendments to the Constitution of Connecticut or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction between two or more congressional, senatorial or assembly districts within a town so that a part of such split voting district was allocated to one congressional, senatorial or assembly district and the other part or parts thereof were allocated to another or other congressional, senatorial or assembly districts. Such part of a split voting district so allocated to a congressional, senatorial or assembly district shall be a separate voting district and shall have its own separate enrollment list, registry list, list of unaffiliated electors if required under section 9-55, and polling place, and shall for all other administrative purposes be treated as a separate voting district. In a municipality which elects no town, city or borough officers from political subdivisions at a municipal election, this section shall apply to all elections unless and until the voting districts are changed under the provisions of section 9-169. In a municipality which elects one or more town, city or borough officers from political subdivisions at a municipal election, such municipality, for municipal elections and for town committee primaries in which the town committee members are selected from political subdivisions other than assembly or senatorial districts, may continue to use the voting districts as they existed prior to such redistricting or as they are established under section 9-169d, unless and until such voting districts are changed in accordance with the provisions of section 9-169 and, in such a municipality, except as provided in section 9-169e, this section shall apply only with respect to (1) any primary or election for representative in Congress, state senator or state representative in a congressional, senatorial or assembly district which contains a part of a split voting district, (2) any primary for town committee members in which such town committee members are elected at large or in which such a senatorial or assembly district is the political subdivision from which such town committee members are elected and (3) any primary or election for a town, city or borough office in which such a senatorial or assembly district is the political subdivision from which such municipal office is elected. This section shall not preclude any town from changing the boundaries of voting districts as provided in section 9-169 and shall not apply to any town which has changed or changes the boundaries of its voting districts pursuant to said section so as to eliminate any split voting districts.

Sec. 9-169b. Effective date of changes in voting districts. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-168b and 9-169, any change or changes in voting districts made in any municipality in accordance with the provisions of section 9-169, to conform, or facilitate conforming, to any plan of districting for the General Assembly or for the congressional districts, adopted by the General Assembly or determined by any reapportionment commission, appointed in accordance with the provisions of article 26 of the amendments to the Constitution of Connecticut, or ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, or to conform, or facilitate conforming, to any order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction relating to a plan of districting for the General Assembly or for the congressional districts, adopted by the legislative body of the municipality shall be deemed effective as of the date of adoption, except as provided in section 9-169e.

Sec. 9-169c. At-large election of members of legislative bodies of certain towns. Notwithstanding the provisions of any charter or special act to the contrary, in any town in which members of its legislative body are elected on the basis of assembly districts and where as a result of redistricting one or more of such assembly districts are shared with another town, such members may be elected on an at-large basis without reference to such assembly districts or other political subdivisions, unless and until such town changes its charter.

Sec. 9-169d. Voting districts crossing legislative district lines, permitted for municipal elections. The legislative body of any town, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough which elects municipal officers from political subdivisions may establish, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-169, for use in municipal elections and primaries, voting districts which cross congressional, senatorial or assembly district lines, but which do not cross municipal political subdivision lines, provided no special state election may be held on the same day as a regular municipal election in such municipalities.

Sec. 9-169e. Voting districts in special elections held to fill vacancy in district or municipal office. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, any special act or home rule charter, any special election held to fill a vacancy in a district office or in a municipal office in a political subdivision, including the municipal office of state senator or state representative, shall be held in the district or political subdivision which was represented by the person who vacated such office, and the voting districts used for purposes of such special election, including the nomination of candidates to run in such election, shall conform to the boundaries of such district or political subdivision.

Sec. 9-169f. Reapportionment required for certain municipal legislative bodies. Not later than June first in the year after the first regular General Assembly election following a reapportionment of the General Assembly, each municipal legislative body whose members are elected wholly or partially on the basis of a geographical division of the municipality shall adopt a reapportionment plan for such legislative body. Any such municipal reapportionment plan (1) shall be based on population data for the municipality from the most recent decennial census of the United States and (2) may provide for geographical divisions which use the same borders as General Assembly districts in the municipality.

Sec. 9-169g. Town clerks required to submit voting district maps to Secretary of the State. Use of maps by General Assembly. (a) The town clerk of any municipality (1) which is divided between two or more assembly districts, two or more senatorial districts or two or more congressional districts, or (2) which is not divided between any such districts but is divided into two or more voting districts for General Assembly or congressional elections, shall submit to the Secretary of the State a street map of the municipality which indicates the boundary lines of the voting districts established by the municipality in accordance with sections 9-169, 9-169a and 9-169d. The town clerk shall submit such map to the secretary in a printed or electronic format prescribed by the secretary (A) not later than thirty days after any such division first takes effect, and (B) not later than thirty days after any change in any such division takes effect.

(b) The Secretary of the State shall make such maps available to the General Assembly, for use by the General Assembly in carrying out its responsibilities under (1) Article XXVI of the Amendments to the Constitution of Connecticut, or any subsequent corresponding state constitutional provision, with regard to the redistricting of assembly, senatorial and congressional districts, and (2) Public Law 94-171, concerning the establishment of a plan identifying the geographic areas for which specific tabulations of population are desired in the decennial census of the United States.

Sec. 9-170. Eligibility to vote at town elections. At any regular or special town election any person may vote who is registered as an elector on the revised registry list of the town last completed and he shall vote only in the district in which he is so registered, provided any person may vote whose name is restored to the list under the provisions of section 9-42 or whose name is added on the last week day before a regular election under the provisions of section 9-17. Each person so registered shall be permitted to vote unless he is not a bona fide resident of the town and political subdivision holding the election or has been convicted of a disfranchising crime. Any person offering to vote and being challenged as to his identity or residence shall, before he votes, prove his identity with the person on whose name he offers to vote or his bona fide residence in the town and political subdivision holding the election, as the case may be, by the testimony, under oath, of at least one other elector or by such other evidence acceptable to the moderator.

Sec. 9-171. Eligibility to vote at city elections. In all cities, unless otherwise provided by law, any person entitled to vote at city elections who is registered on the revised registry list last completed, and any person having a legal right to vote at such elections whose name is entered on a copy of such list before voting, may vote therein in the district for which such registry list is made; provided those persons may vote whose names are restored to the list under the provisions of section 9-42 or whose names are added on the last week day before a regular election under the provisions of section 9-17. Each person so registered shall be permitted to vote, unless he has lost his right by removal from such city since he has registered or by conviction of a disfranchising crime. Any person offering so to vote, and being challenged as to his identity or residence, shall, before he votes, prove his identity with the person on whose name he offers to vote or his bona fide residence in such city, as the case may be, by the testimony, under oath, of at least one other elector or by such other evidence acceptable to the moderator. The names of those voting shall be checked on such copy of such list, and such copy so checked shall be kept on file in the office of the town clerk, as in the case of state elections.

Sec. 9-172. Eligibility to vote at state elections. At any regular or special state election any person may vote who was registered on the last-completed revised registry list of the town in which he offers to vote, and he shall vote in the district in which he was so registered; provided those persons may vote whose names are restored to the list under the provisions of section 9-42 or whose names are added on the last weekday before a regular election under the provisions of section 9-17. Each person so registered shall be permitted to vote if he is a bona fide resident of the town and political subdivision holding the election and has not lost his right by conviction of a disfranchising crime. Any person offering so to vote and being challenged as to his identity or residence shall, before he votes, prove his identity with the person on whose name he offers to vote or his bona fide residence in the town and political subdivision holding the election, as the case may be, by the testimony, under oath, of at least one other elector or by such other evidence as is acceptable to the moderator.

Sec. 9-172a. Revised registry list defined for purposes of special elections. For purposes of special elections, the term “revised registry list last completed”, as used in sections 9-170, 9-171 and 9-172, means the registry list last completed for the last regular election held in the municipality or political subdivision holding the special election, together with the updated list of persons in such municipality or political subdivision who acquired voting privileges since the completion of such list compiled under section 9-172b.

Sec. 9-172b. Updated list and registration deadline for special election or referendum. (a) In each municipality or political subdivision in which a special election or referendum is to be held, the registrars of voters shall prepare an updated list of the names and addresses of those persons who acquired voting privileges after the completion of the revised registry list and prior to the day of such special election or referendum. In each such municipality or political subdivision, not later than the day before such special election or referendum, such registrars of voters shall cause to be completed and printed such list arranged as provided in section 9-35 and certified by them to be correct, and shall retain a sufficient number of copies to be used by them at such election or referendum for the purpose of checking the names of those who vote, provided the names of any persons who acquired such voting privileges within thirty days before such special election or referendum may be inserted on such printed list in writing.

(b) In the case of a special election or referendum, no person admitted as an elector on the day of the special election or referendum shall be entitled to vote in that election.

Sec. 9-173. Plurality required for election. In the election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General, the person receiving the greatest number of votes for each of said offices, respectively, shall be declared elected. If no person has a plurality of the votes for any of said offices, the General Assembly shall choose such officer. In the election for senator in Congress, the person receiving the greatest number of votes for such office shall be declared elected; but, if no person has a plurality of the votes for said office, the Governor may make a temporary appointment of a senator in Congress to serve for the ensuing two years unless the General Assembly directs a special election for a senator in Congress, to be held during said period, to fill the vacancy occasioned by such failure to elect. In all elections of representatives in Congress, state senators, state representatives and judges of probate, the person having the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. Unless otherwise provided by law, in all municipal elections a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect.

Sec. 9-174. Hours of voting. Voting by electors in line at eight o’clock p.m. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general statute, special act or municipal charter to the contrary, at any regular election, or at any special election held to fill a vacancy in a state, district or municipal office, the polls shall remain open for voting from six o’clock a.m. until eight o’clock p.m. No elector shall be permitted to cast his vote after the hour prescribed for the closing of the polls in any election unless such elector is in line at eight o’clock p.m. An election official or a police official of the municipality, who is designated by the moderator, shall be placed at the end of the line at eight o’clock p.m. Such official shall not allow any electors who were not in such line at eight o’clock p.m. to enter such line.

Sec. 9-174a. Emergency contingency plan for elections. Model plan. (a) For each municipality, the registrars of voters, in consultation with the municipal clerk, shall create an emergency contingency plan for elections, primaries and referenda to be held within such municipality. Such plan shall include, but not be limited to, (1) solutions for ballot shortages, and (2) strategies to implement in the event of (A) a shortage or absence of poll workers, (B) a loss of power, (C) a fire or the sounding of an alarm within a polling place, (D) voting machine malfunctions, (E) a weather or other natural disaster, (F) the need to remove a poll worker or moderator and to replace such worker or moderator, and (G) disorder in and around the polling place.

(b) Not later than six months after the adoption of a model plan by the Secretary of the State provided for in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the registrars of voters shall submit the plan created under subsection (a) of this section to the legislative body of such municipality or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting or representative town meeting, the board of selectmen, for approval. Upon approval, such plan shall remain on file with the municipal clerk until such plan is amended by the registrars of voters, in consultation with the municipal clerk, and approved by the legislative body of the municipality or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting or representative town meeting, the board of selectmen. If, not later than six months after the adoption of a model plan by the Secretary, a municipality fails to create and approve an emergency contingency plan, the municipality shall be deemed to have adopted the model plan adopted by the Secretary.

(c) Any municipality that activates the emergency contingency plan established pursuant to this section shall provide a written report concerning the activation of such plan to the Secretary of the State not later than thirty days after such activation. Such report shall include the reason for such activation as well as the procedures in the emergency contingency plan that were activated and the outcome of the activation of such plan.

(d) The Secretary of the State shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, as the Secretary deems necessary to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall include a model plan that municipalities may adopt.

Sec. 9-174b. Notification re extension of hours of polling place. (a) Each candidate on a ballot for any election, as defined in section 9-1, may provide to the registrars of voters of any town in which such ballot shall be voted upon the name and contact information, including instructions regarding leaving a message, for an individual who should be notified in the event that the hours of a polling place may be or have been extended, as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) If the registrars of voters of a town are aware of any proceeding in court or order of a court concerning the extension of the hours of any polling place in such town beyond those hours provided in section 9-174 or 9-438, the registrars shall immediately notify any individual identified in subsection (a) of this section for each candidate on any ballot to be voted upon at such polling place of the proceeding or order. If a registrar fails to reach such individual on a first attempt, the registrar shall leave a message for such individual pursuant to instructions provided by such individual under subsection (a) of this section. Any registrar who notifies an individual of a proceeding shall not be required to notify such individual of the outcome of such proceeding.

PART II

PARTICULAR OFFICERS

Sec. 9-175. Presidential and vice presidential electors. Write-in candidates and ballots. (a) The electors in the several towns in the state, at the state election in 1964, and quadrennially thereafter, shall elect electors of President and Vice President of the United States, not exceeding in number the whole number of senators and representatives to which the state is then entitled in the Congress of the United States. Voting shall be conducted and the result declared, and the returns thereof made, as is provided in respect to state elections. The Secretary of the State shall, on or before the first Monday of October of the year in which such presidential electors are to be elected, transmit blank forms to the several town clerks for the return of the votes; and the lists and returns of the votes shall be made out, certified and directed according to such forms. When an election is to be held for the choice of presidential electors, if any political party has nominated candidates for President and Vice President of the United States, and presidential electors to vote for such presidential and vice presidential candidates have been nominated by a political convention of such party in this state, or in such other manner as entitles the names of such electors to be placed upon the official ballots to be used in such election, the Secretary of the State and any other official charged with the preparation of official ballots to be used in such election, in lieu of placing the names of such presidential electors on such official ballots, shall place on such official ballots a space with the words “Presidential electors for (here insert the last name of the candidate for President, the word ‘and’ and the last name of the candidate for Vice President)”; and a vote cast therefor shall be counted, and shall be in all respects effective, as a vote for each of the presidential electors representing such candidates for President and Vice President.

(b) In the case of a write-in candidate for President of the United States, such candidate may register his candidacy with the Secretary of the State by submitting his name and the names of a vice presidential candidate and candidates for the office of elector in a number not exceeding the whole number of electors to which the state is then entitled. Such registration shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, which form shall include a statement of consent to being a candidate by each proposed candidate for elector and by the candidate for Vice President. Such registration shall not include a designation of political party. A candidate for President may register at any time after January first of the election year and not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day preceding the election at which the offices of presidential elector and vice presidential elector are being contested. If a candidate has so registered, a vote may be cast by write-in ballot for such candidate by writing in the last name of the candidate for President and the last name of the candidate for Vice President or only the last name of the candidate for President; such write-in ballot shall be counted, and shall be in all respects effective, as a vote for each of the presidential electors representing such candidates for President and Vice President. No person nominated for the office of President, Vice President, or presidential elector by a major or minor party or by nominating petition shall register as a write-in candidate for such office under the provisions of this section and any such registration of a write-in candidacy filed by such a person shall be void.

Sec. 9-175a. Agreement Among the States to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote. The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this state with all states legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

ARTICLE I. Membership

Any State of the United States and the District of Columbia may become a member of this agreement by enacting this agreement.

ARTICLE II. Right of the People in Member States to Vote for President and Vice President

Each member state shall conduct a state-wide popular election for President and Vice President of the United States.

ARTICLE III. Manner of Appointing Presidential Electors in Member States

Prior to the time set by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, the chief election official of each member state shall determine the number of votes for each presidential slate in each State of the United States and in the District of Columbia in which votes have been cast in a state-wide popular election and shall add such votes together to produce a “national popular vote total” for each presidential slate.

The chief election official of each member state shall designate the presidential slate with the largest national popular vote total as the “national popular vote winner”.

The presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment in that official’s own state of the elector slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner.

At least six days before the day fixed by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, each member state shall make a final determination of the number of popular votes cast in the state for each presidential slate and shall communicate an official statement of such determination within twenty-four hours to the chief election official of each other member state.

The chief election official of each member state shall treat as conclusive an official statement containing the number of popular votes in a state for each presidential slate made by the day established by federal law for making a state’s final determination conclusive as to the counting of electoral votes by Congress.

In event of a tie for the national popular vote winner, the presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the appointment of the elector slate nominated in association with the presidential slate receiving the largest number of popular votes within that official’s own state.

If, for any reason, the number of presidential electors nominated in a member state in association with the national popular vote winner is less than or greater than that state’s number of electoral votes, the presidential candidate on the presidential slate that has been designated as the national popular vote winner shall have the power to nominate the presidential electors for that state and that state’s presidential elector certifying official shall certify the appointment of such nominees.

The chief election official of each member state shall immediately release to the public all vote counts or statements of votes as they are determined or obtained.

This article shall govern the appointment of presidential electors in each member state in any year in which this agreement is, on July twentieth, in effect in states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes.

ARTICLE IV. Other Provisions

This agreement shall take effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have enacted this agreement in substantially the same form and the enactments by such states have taken effect in each state.

Any member state may withdraw from this agreement, except that a withdrawal occurring six months or less before the end of a President’s term shall not become effective until a President or Vice President shall have been qualified to serve the next term.

The chief executive of each member state shall promptly notify the chief executive of all other states of when this agreement has been enacted and has taken effect in that official’s state, when the state has withdrawn from this agreement, and when this agreement takes effect generally.

This agreement shall terminate if the electoral college is abolished.

If any provision of this agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

ARTICLE V. Definitions

For purposes of this agreement:

“Chief executive” shall mean the Governor of a State of the United States or the Mayor of the District of Columbia;

“Elector slate” shall mean a slate of candidates who have been nominated in a state for the position of presidential elector in association with a presidential slate;

“Chief election official” shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the total number of popular votes for each presidential slate;

“Presidential elector” shall mean an elector for President and Vice President of the United States;

“Presidential elector certifying official” shall mean the state official or body that is authorized to certify the appointment of the state’s presidential electors;

“Presidential slate” shall mean a slate of two persons, the first of whom has been nominated as a candidate for President of the United States and the second of whom has been nominated as a candidate for Vice President of the United States, or any legal successors to such persons, regardless of whether both names appear on the ballot presented to the voter in a particular state;

“State” shall mean a State of the United States and the District of Columbia; and

“State-wide popular election” shall mean a general election in which votes are cast for presidential slates by individual voters and counted on a state-wide basis.

Sec. 9-176. Meeting of presidential electors. The presidential electors shall meet at the office of the Secretary of the State at twelve o’clock, noon, on the first Monday after the second Wednesday of the December following their election and, as required by the Constitution and laws of the United States, shall cast their ballots for President and Vice President. Each such elector shall cast his ballots for the candidates under whose names he ran on the official election ballot, as provided in section 9-175. If any such elector is absent or if there is a vacancy in the electoral college for any cause, the electors present shall, before voting for President and Vice President, elect by ballot an elector to fill such vacancy, and the person so chosen shall be a presidential elector, shall perform the duties of such office and shall cast his ballots for the candidates to whom the elector he is replacing was pledged.

Sec. 9-177. Compensation of presidential electors. Each elector of President and Vice President of the United States shall receive ten dollars a day when attending upon the duties of his appointment, for which the Comptroller, on presentation to him of the certificate of the chairman of such electors, shall draw an order on the Treasurer.

Sec. 9-178. Senator in Congress. A senator in Congress shall be elected by the electors of the several towns, as provided by the Constitution of the United States, in any year occurring next before the expiration of the term of a senator in Congress, and in any other year when the Governor issues writs of election to fill a vacancy in the office of senator in Congress.

Sec. 9-179. Representative in Congress. At each state election the electors of the several towns in each congressional district in this state shall elect a representative in the Congress of the United States for such district to represent this state in said Congress.

Sec. 9-180. Representative at large. Section 9-180 is repealed.

Sec. 9-181. State officers. At the state election to be held in 1966, and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General to hold their respective offices from the Wednesday following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election until the Wednesday following the first Monday of the fifth January succeeding their election and until their successors are qualified. When any political party has nominated candidates for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, their names shall be so placed upon the ballot in any such election that any elector will cast a single vote for both candidates.

Sec. 9-182. Sheriffs. Section 9-182 is repealed, effective December 1, 2000.

Sec. 9-183. Justices of the peace. Section 9-183 is repealed.

Sec. 9-183a. Number of justices of the peace, exceptions. (a) The number of justices of the peace for each town shall be equal to one-third the number of jurors to which such town is by law entitled, except in the town of Waterbury the number shall be sixty-nine, in the town of Trumbull the number shall be thirty, in the town of Meriden the number shall be thirty-six, and in the town of Litchfield the number shall be fifteen; provided any town, by ordinance, may provide for the selection of a lesser number of justices of the peace for such town as herein provided, which shall be not less than fifteen.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of any special act or charter to the contrary:

(1) In 1994, the number of justices of the peace for any town which selects a number of justices of the peace under a special act or charter, which is fewer than one-third the number of jurors to which the town is by law entitled, shall be one and one-half times the number authorized for the town on May 1, 1994, but not less than fifteen;

(2) In 1996, the number of justices of the peace for any such town shall be one and one-half times the number authorized for the town on May 1, 1994, but not less than fifteen, unless the town amends such special act or charter or adopts an ordinance under subdivision (3) of this subsection;

(3) Any town which selects a number of justices of the peace under a special act or charter, which is fewer than one-third the number of jurors to which the town is by law entitled, may amend such special act or charter under chapter 99 or may adopt an ordinance superseding such special act or charter provision, to provide for a number of justices of the peace to be selected in 1996, and quadrennially thereafter, which shall be not less than fifteen nor more than one-third the number of jurors to which the town is by law entitled, or may repeal the special act or charter provision.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of any ordinance to the contrary:

(1) In 1994, the number of justices of the peace for any town which selects a number of justices of the peace under an ordinance, which is fewer than one-third the number of jurors to which the town is by law entitled, shall be one and one-half times the number authorized for the town on May 1, 1994, but not less than fifteen;

(2) In 1996, the number of justices of the peace for any such town shall be one and one-half times the number authorized for the town on May 1, 1994, but not less than fifteen, unless the town amends such ordinance under subdivision (3) of this subsection;

(3) Any town which selects a number of justices of the peace under an ordinance, which is fewer than one-third the number of jurors to which the town is by law entitled, may amend such ordinance to provide for a number of justices of the peace to be selected in 1996, and quadrennially thereafter, which shall be not less than fifteen nor more than one-third the number of jurors to which the town is by law entitled, or may repeal the ordinance provision.

(d) Upon the adoption, amendment or repeal of any ordinance under this section, the clerk of such town shall send a certified copy thereof to the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-183b. (Formerly Sec. 9-252). Nomination of justices of the peace by parties qualifying as major parties based on enrollment. Terms. Primaries. In 1994, 1996, and quadrennially thereafter, two-thirds of the total number of justices of the peace in each town shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such percentage shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of justices of the peace. The political parties which are major parties, as defined in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (5) of section 9-372, shall each be entitled to nominate an equal number of the total number of justices of the peace to be selected in each town under this section, provided in towns where the number of justices of the peace to be nominated under this section is not divisible by the number of political parties entitled to nominate justices of the peace under this section, the registrars of voters shall determine by lot which of said parties may nominate one more justice of the peace than may be nominated by the other party or parties. Such nomination by such parties shall qualify the nominees to serve as justices of the peace. Such nomination shall be made within the time limits prescribed in section 9-391 for endorsing candidates for nomination for municipal offices to be voted upon at a state election, for a term of two years to begin the first Monday of January in 1995, for any such nomination made in 1994, and for a term of four years to begin the first Monday of January in the year succeeding any such nomination made in 1996, or thereafter. Primaries for justices of the peace shall be by slate and shall be held on the same day as primaries for municipal offices to be voted upon at a state election.

Sec. 9-183c. Nomination of justices of the peace by parties qualifying as major parties based solely on gubernatorial vote. Terms. Primaries. In 1994, 1996, and quadrennially thereafter, when there is a political party which is a major party, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (5) of section 9-372, but is not a major party, as defined in subparagraph (B) of said subdivision (5), a percentage of the number of justices of the peace in each town selected under section 9-184c shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such percentage shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of justices of the peace. Each such party shall be entitled to nominate twenty per cent of the total number of justices of the peace to be selected in each town under section 9-184c. Such nomination by such parties shall qualify the nominees to serve as justices of the peace. Such nomination shall be made within the time limits prescribed in section 9-391 for endorsing candidates for nomination for municipal offices to be voted upon at a state election, for a term of two years to begin the first Monday of January in 1995, for any such nomination made in 1994, and for a term of four years to begin the first Monday of January in the year succeeding any such nomination made in 1996, or thereafter. Primaries for justices of the peace shall be by slate and shall be held on the same day as primaries for municipal offices to be voted upon at a state election.

Sec. 9-184. Vacancy in office of justice of the peace when justice nominated by a major party. Any vacancy in the office of a justice of the peace selected (1) pursuant to section 9-183b or (2) pursuant to section 9-183c shall be filled by appointment by the town committee of the political party of the vacating justice until the day on which the term of office of such vacating justice would have terminated. The town chairman or the secretary of the appointing town committee shall file with the town clerk a certificate of each such appointment and the town clerk shall record the certificate with the records of the town meeting. The town clerk shall notify the Secretary of the State of any such vacancy.

Secs. 9-184a and 9-184b. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 9-184c. Appointment as justices of the peace of electors who are not members of major parties. Terms. Vacancies. (a) In 1994, 1996, and quadrennially thereafter, the town clerk of each town shall appoint as justice of the peace a number of electors of the town who are not members of major parties, as defined in section 9-372, which shall not exceed (1) where no justices of the peace are selected under section 9-183c, one-third of the total number of justices of the peace in the town, or (2) where justices of the peace are selected under section 9-183c, one-third of the total number of justices of the peace in the town less the number of justices of the peace in the town selected under section 9-183c. Such percentage shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number of justices of the peace. Any such appointment shall be made upon written application submitted on or after August first and on or before November first, in such year. No person who has enrollment privileges in the town in a political party which selected justices of the peace under section 9-183b or under section 9-183c within the period beginning three months before said August first and ending on the date the person is to be appointed under this section, shall be eligible for such appointment. Not later than August 1, 1996, and quadrennially thereafter, the town clerk shall send a written notice to each incumbent justice of the peace appointed under this section. Such notice shall inform such justices of the peace of the procedures set forth in this section concerning the reappointment of such justices of the peace.

(b) If, on November first in such year, the number of applications for justice of the peace filed with the town clerk under subsection (a) of this section exceeds the number of justices of the peace allowed under this section, (1) each such applicant who is an incumbent justice of the peace appointed under this section shall be reappointed if there are sufficient openings and (2) the town clerk shall, on or before the fifteenth business day of November, select the remaining applicants to be appointed as justices of the peace by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public and held on five days’ public notice. At such lottery the town clerk shall determine the order of all such remaining applications for the purpose of filling future vacancies under subsection (d) of this section. If a town clerk receives a number of applications that is less than the number of justices of the peace that he is authorized to appoint under this section in any year, he shall not appoint any additional justices of the peace.

(c) Justices of the peace appointed in 1994, shall serve a term of two years beginning on the first Monday in 1995, and justices of the peace appointed in 1996 and thereafter shall serve a term of four years beginning on the first Monday in January in the succeeding year.

(d) Any vacancy in the office of any such justice of the peace shall be filled by appointment by the town clerk of an elector qualifying under subsection (a) of this section in the order determined in the lottery held under said subsection. If no such lottery is held, the vacancy shall not be filled.

Sec. 9-185. Municipal officers. Unless otherwise provided by special act or charter, (1) members of boards of assessment appeals, (2) selectmen, (3) town clerks, (4) town treasurers, (5) collectors of taxes, (6) constables, (7) registrars of voters, (8) subject to the provisions of subsection (i) of section 10-223e, members of boards of education, and (9) library directors shall be elected, provided any town may, by ordinance, provide for the appointment, by its chief executive authority, of (A) a constable or constables in lieu of constables to be elected under section 9-200, or (B) a town clerk, town treasurer or collector of taxes in lieu of the election of such officers as provided in section 9-189. Unless otherwise provided by special act or charter, all other town officers shall be appointed as provided by law and, if no other provision for their appointment is made by law, then (i) by the chief executive officer of such municipality, (ii) where the legislative body is a town meeting, by the board of selectmen, or (iii) by such other appointing authority as a town may by ordinance provide, and except that, if a board of finance is established under the provisions of section 7-340, the members thereof shall be elected as provided in section 9-202. Any town may, by a vote of its legislative body, determine the number of its officers and prescribe the mode by which they shall be voted for at subsequent elections.

Sec. 9-186. Electoral status of municipal officers and justices of the peace. Each elected municipal officer and each justice of the peace shall be an elector of the municipality in which he is elected, or in the case of a justice of the peace, nominated or appointed to office and, if for any reason he ceases to be an elector thereof, he shall thereupon cease to hold office therein and such office shall be deemed vacant.

Sec. 9-187. Terms. (a) The terms of office of elective municipal officers, when not otherwise prescribed by law, shall be for two years from the date on which such terms begin as set forth in section 9-187a and until their successors are elected and have qualified. When not otherwise prescribed by law, the terms of those town officers appointed by the board of selectmen shall expire on the termination date of the term of the board of selectmen appointing such officers.

(b) The terms of office of elected chief executive officers, members of boards of selectmen and the members of the legislative body of any town, city or borough as prescribed by charter or ordinance shall be two years or four years from the date or dates on which such terms begin as set forth in section 9-187a, and until their successors are elected and have qualified. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to authorize an ordinance prescribing terms of office to supersede the provisions of a charter concerning such terms of office.

(c) The term of office of any tax collector appointed pursuant to an ordinance adopted under the provisions of subsection (b) of section 9-189 shall be as provided in such ordinance.

Sec. 9-187a. Date term to begin. Except as provided in sections 9-164a to 9-164f, inclusive, the term of each elected municipal official shall begin within seventy days after the municipal election at which such official is elected, on the day within such period prescribed by special act or charter provision, or, in the absence of such special act or charter provision, on the day within such period as is prescribed by action of the legislative body of such municipality, provided (1) in each municipality which holds its municipal election on the first Monday of May in the odd-numbered years, in the absence of such special act or charter provision, or action of the legislative body, such terms shall begin on the first day of July following the municipal election at which such official is elected, and (2) in each municipality which holds its municipal election on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November in the odd-numbered years, with the exception of the term of the town clerk, in the absence of such special act, or charter provision, or action of the legislative body, such term shall begin on the second Tuesday next following the day of the municipal election at which such official is elected, and (3) in each municipality which holds its municipal election on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the odd-numbered years, the term of the town clerk shall be two years from the first Monday of January next succeeding his election, unless otherwise provided by charter or special act. Whenever the beginning date of the terms of elected municipal officials is so determined or changed, within the limits hereinabove specified, the authority providing therefor may provide for the conforming diminution or extension of terms of incumbents.

Sec. 9-188. First selectman and selectmen. Election procedure. Dual candidacy prohibited. Minority representation; restricted voting. Tie vote. Unless otherwise provided by law each town shall, at its regular municipal election, elect a first selectman, who shall be town agent unless otherwise provided by law, and two other selectmen or, in the case of any town having a population of ten thousand or more, not more than six other selectmen. The selectmen so elected shall constitute the board of selectmen for such town. Unless otherwise provided by special act, charter or ordinance the votes cast, including any valid write-in votes, for an unsuccessful candidate for first selectman shall be counted as votes for him as a member of such board, provided no elector may be a candidate for both the office of first selectman and that of selectman by virtue of nomination by a major or minor party or a nominating petition or registration of write-in candidacy, or any combination thereof. The provisions of section 9-167a shall apply to the election of selectmen, except that when the total membership of such board is five, the maximum number who may be members of the same political party shall be three, and provided that for the purpose of determining minority representation, the total membership of such board shall be deemed to include the first selectman, unless otherwise provided by special act or charter. Unless otherwise provided by special act, charter or ordinance, an elector shall not vote for more candidates for the office of selectman than a political party can elect pursuant to section 9-167a, provided that the number of such candidates that an elector can vote for shall be deemed to include the first selectman. If the electors fail to elect a first selectman at any election by reason of an equality of votes, such election for the office of first selectman and the election for selectmen shall stand adjourned and such adjourned election shall be held as provided in section 9-332. The ballots used in such adjourned election shall contain only the names of the candidates for the offices of first selectman and selectman which appeared on the ballot used in the election at which the tie vote resulted for the office of first selectman.

Sec. 9-189. Town clerks, treasurers and tax collectors. (a) Each town, unless otherwise provided by law, shall, at its regular municipal election elect a town clerk for a term of not less than two years and not more than six years, a town treasurer for the term of two years and a collector of town taxes for a term of not less than two years and not more than six. Each such clerk, treasurer and collector of taxes shall hold office for the term for which he is elected and until his successor is elected and has qualified.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the legislative body of a town may, by ordinance adopted by its legislative body or in any town in which the legislative body is a town meeting, by the board of selectmen, authorize appointment of a tax collector. Such ordinance shall include provisions for the appointment procedure and shall specify the term of appointment. If the charter, home rule ordinance or special act of a town provides for the method of appointment of a tax collector, the method shall be changed by charter, charter amendment or home rule amendment.

Sec. 9-189a. Four-year terms for town clerks, registrars and treasurers. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-189 and 9-190a, any town or municipality may, by charter or ordinance, provide that the treasurer or the town clerk of said town or municipality, or the registrars of voters of said town, or any of such officers, shall, at the next succeeding regular election for such office and thereafter, be elected for a term of four years. In such event, such four-year term shall begin on the first Monday of January succeeding an election for treasurer or town clerk, except as provided in section 9-187a, and from the Wednesday following the first Monday of January succeeding an election for registrars of voters, provided, if any such town or municipality holds its town or municipal election on the first Monday of May of the odd-numbered years, the term of such treasurer or town clerk shall begin on the first day of July following the election, except as provided in section 9-187a.

Sec. 9-190. Registrars of voters. On and after January 9, 2013, each municipality shall have two registrars of voters for the entire municipality, except as otherwise provided for in this section. Each registrar of voters shall reside in the municipality for which the registrar of voters is elected. Notwithstanding any special act, for elections held on and after November 6, 2012, in each municipality in which registrars of voters are elected, no elector shall vote for more than one registrar of voters for the municipality. The candidate having the highest number of votes and the candidate having the next highest number of votes for the office of registrar of voters, who does not belong to the same political party as the candidate having the highest number, shall be declared elected registrars of voters for the municipality, provided, if the candidate for registrar of voters of a major party is not one of the registrars of voters so elected, such candidate of such major party shall also be declared elected registrar of voters. For purposes of this section, a major party shall be one having the largest or next largest total number of enrolled party members in the state, as determined by the latest enrollment records in the office of the Secretary of the State submitted in accordance with the provisions of section 9-65. The term of office of all registrars of voters for voting districts in office on January 7, 1995, shall expire on January 8, 1997, and on November 5, 1996, two registrars shall be elected for each municipality with more than two voting districts which previously elected registrars of voters for voting districts.

Sec. 9-190a. Election of registrars at state elections. Any provision of any special act to the contrary notwithstanding, the registrars of voters in each municipality which elects registrars of voters shall be elected at the state election to be held in 1964, and biennially thereafter, to hold office for the term of two years from the Wednesday following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election until the Wednesday following the first Monday of the third January succeeding their election.

Sec. 9-190b. Temporary relief of registrar by Secretary of the State; procedure. If a registrar of voters fails to attain or maintain, whichever is applicable, certification required under subsection (a) of section 9-192a or is the subject of an investigation of any matter related to the duties of such registrar’s office resulting from a statement filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission by the Secretary of the State, the Secretary may issue a written instruction, pursuant to section 9-3, to such registrar to appear before the Secretary on the date and at such time as provided in such instruction. The Secretary shall cite the reasons for such instruction and inform such registrar that such appearance is for the purpose of determining whether to temporarily relieve such registrar of his or her duties as provided in this section. The registrar shall appear before the Secretary and be given a fair opportunity to show cause, if any, why such registrar should not be temporarily relieved of his or her duties. If, after such opportunity, the Secretary determines that the public interest in the orderly conduct of elections would be so served, the Secretary may temporarily relieve such registrar of his or her duties and require the deputy registrar of voters appointed by such registrar to administer the operations of such office until such certification has been attained or maintained or until the State Elections Enforcement Commission has completed such investigation and taken final action on such matter. The proceeding described in this section shall not be considered a contested case under chapter 54. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a municipality from paying the salary of such registrar of voters while such resolution is pending.

Sec. 9-190c. Removal of registrar. Whenever the Secretary of the State is of the opinion that a registrar of voters has engaged in misconduct, wilful and material neglect of duty or incompetence in the conduct of such registrar’s office, the Secretary may seek removal of such registrar from office by filing a statement in writing to that effect with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of section 9-7a, not later than thirty days after the filing of such statement, the commission shall investigate such statement and render a determination of whether the matter should be referred to the Attorney General to request that he or she pursue such removal pursuant to this section. Upon referral from the commission of such matter, the Attorney General may request that the commission undertake such further investigation as he or she deems appropriate. If the Attorney General concludes that the commission’s investigation so warrants, he or she may prepare a citation in the name of the state commanding such registrar of voters to appear before a judge of the Superior Court at a date named in the citation and show cause, if any, why such registrar of voters should not be removed from office. The Attorney General shall cause a copy of such statement and such citation to be served by some proper officer upon the defendant registrar of voters at least ten days before the date of appearance named in such citation, and the original statement and citation, with the return of the officer thereon, shall be returned to the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district within which the municipality served by such registrar is situated. To carry into effect the proceedings authorized by this section, the Attorney General shall have power to summon witnesses, require the production of necessary books, papers and other documents and administer oaths to witnesses; and upon the date named in such citation for the appearance of such registrar of voters, or upon any adjourned date fixed by the judge before whom such proceedings are pending, the Attorney General shall appear and conduct the hearing on behalf of the state. If, after a full hearing of all the evidence offered by the Attorney General and by and on behalf of the defendant, such judge is of the opinion that the evidence presented warrants the removal of such registrar of voters from office, the judge shall cause to be prepared a written order to that effect, which order shall be signed by the judge and lodged with the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district within which such municipality is situated. Such clerk of the superior court shall cause a certified copy of such order to be served forthwith upon such registrar of voters, and upon such service such registrar of voters shall be removed from such office and the deputy registrar of voters appointed by such registrar of voters shall immediately become registrar of voters, in accordance with section 9-192. Any witness summoned and any officer making service under the provisions of this section shall be allowed and paid by the state in accordance with the provisions of sections 52-260 and 52-261. The Attorney General may designate an attorney of the State Elections Enforcement Commission as a special assistant attorney general for the purposes of performing the duties and responsibilities set forth in this section.

Sec. 9-191. Election of registrars for each voting district. The provisions of section 9-190 to the contrary notwithstanding, each municipality which is divided into two voting districts and which elected registrars of voters for each voting district prior to July 8, 1955, shall continue to elect registrars of voters for each voting district until such time as such municipality, by vote of its legislative body, provides for the election of registrars of voters for the entire municipality instead of registrars of voters for each voting district.

Sec. 9-192. Deputy registrar. Registrar vacancy. Assistant registrars. Special assistant registrars. Each registrar of voters immediately after his election shall appoint a deputy registrar of voters to hold office during his pleasure and may, at any time, fill any vacancy in said office. He shall file with the town clerk a certificate of each such appointment and the town clerk shall record the certificate with the records of town meetings. Each deputy registrar of voters shall assist his principal when required, discharge his duties in his absence or inability to act and, in case of the death, removal or resignation of such principal, shall become registrar of voters and appoint a deputy, and shall file with the town clerk a certificate of such appointment, which shall be recorded with the records of town meetings. If a vacancy exists in the office of registrar of voters in consequence of a refusal or failure to accept the office or a failure of the registrar to appoint a deputy registrar, the town committee of the same political party as the registrar of voters who so refused, failed to accept or failed to appoint, or other appointing authority specified in local party rules shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of some suitable person, who shall belong to the same political party as the registrar of voters who so refused, failed to accept or failed to appoint. Each registrar of voters in any town may, as needed, appoint and employ not more than four assistant registrars of voters for each voting district therein, who shall serve at the pleasure of the registrar of voters and assist such registrar in the performance of his duties, and, for purposes of any admission session held pursuant to section 9-19b or subsection (a) of section 9-19c, as many special assistants as are necessary to carry out the duties of such session. Such registrar shall file with the town clerk a certificate of each such appointment, which shall be recorded with the records of the town, and shall appoint such other assistants as are necessary for the performance of duties required by sections 9-12 to 9-45, inclusive, on election day and the six days preceding. Unless otherwise provided by subsection (b) of section 9-19b, in the absence of either registrar of voters, his deputy or any of his assistants, except special assistants, shall have all the powers conferred, and may perform any of the duties imposed, upon such registrar by any of the provisions of the statutes. Each deputy, assistant or special assistant registrar shall be an elector of the municipality in which he is appointed. Each deputy registrar shall also, at the time of his appointment and during the six months immediately preceding his appointment, be an enrolled member of the same party as the registrar who makes such appointment.

Sec. 9-192a. Secretary of the State to establish program and criteria for certification of registrars. Committee to advise Secretary on programs and procedures for training, examining and certifying registrars, deputies and assistants. Training program for poll workers. (a)(1) The Secretary of the State shall, in consultation with the advisory committee created pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, establish a program and criteria for the certification of registrars of voters. All registrars taking such office on or before July 1, 2015, shall complete such program and satisfy such criteria for certification not later than July 1, 2017. Any registrar taking such office after July 1, 2015, shall complete such program and satisfy such criteria for certification (A) in the case of a two-year term, not later than the conclusion of such term, and (B) in the case of a four-year term, not later than two years after the date of first holding such office, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection. Each municipality shall pay on behalf of such municipality’s registrar of voters the cost of completing such program and satisfying such criteria for certification.

(2) If a deputy registrar becomes registrar, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-192, on or after the ninetieth day prior to a state election, as defined in section 9-1, such new registrar shall complete an abridged program prescribed by the Secretary of the State for a provisional certification. Completion of such abridged program and receipt of a provisional certification shall not be deemed to satisfy the requirements for certification described in subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) Once certified, pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, each registrar shall participate each year in not less than eight hours of training, not including any training described under subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, in order to maintain such certification. Such training shall be as prescribed by the Secretary of the State and shall be conducted by said Secretary or a third party approved by said Secretary to conduct such training. Any registrar who fails to satisfy such annual training requirement shall be directed by the Secretary of the State to take remedial measures prescribed by said Secretary.

(b) There is created an advisory committee for the purpose of establishing programs and procedures for training, examining and certifying registrars of voters, deputy registrars of voters and assistant registrars of voters, as described in section 9-192. The committee shall consist of six members, one of whom shall be from the office of the Secretary of the State, one of whom shall be from the State Elections Enforcement Commission, and four of whom shall be registrars of voters. The Secretary of the State shall appoint the registrars of voters, in consultation with the Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut, or its successor organization. The committee members shall serve without pay. The Secretary of the State shall determine the length of the terms of the initial members, in accordance with the following: Two of such members shall serve for a one-year term; two of such members shall serve for a two-year term; and two of such members shall serve for a four-year term. Thereafter, all members shall serve for four-year terms. The committee shall select a chairperson, who shall be one of the registrars who is a member of the committee.

(c) The Secretary of the State, in consultation with the advisory committee, shall adopt criteria for the training, examination and certification requirements of registrars pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. In advising the Secretary of the State on the adoption of such criteria, the committee (1) shall consider whether the prescribed training leading to certification may, in part, be satisfied through participation in the required two conferences a year called by the Secretary of the State, pursuant to section 9-6, for purposes of discussing the election laws, procedures or matters related to election laws and procedures, and (2) may recommend programs at one or more institutions of higher education that satisfy such criteria. Any deputy or assistant registrar of voters may participate in the course of training prescribed by the Secretary for certification as a certified Connecticut registrar of voters. The Secretary of the State shall certify any individual who completes such training and successfully completes any examination or examinations prescribed by the Secretary as a certified Connecticut registrar of voters.

(d) The advisory committee shall also (1) develop a training program in election procedures for poll workers, and (2) develop an election law and procedures training program and guide for registrars, deputy registrars and assistant registrars. The training program developed under subdivision (2) of this subsection shall provide for training to be conducted by trained registrars or former registrars hired for such purpose by the Secretary of the State. The committee shall submit such training programs and training guide to the Secretary of the State, who shall approve or modify the programs and guide.

Sec. 9-192b. Designation of registrar, deputy or an assistant to receive instruction. Each registrar of voters shall annually designate either said registrar, the deputy registrar of voters or an assistant registrar of voters to receive at least ten hours of instruction under the elections training program developed under subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 9-192a.

Sec. 9-193. Registrar’s oath. Each registrar of voters, deputy registrar and assistant, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall be sworn.

Sec. 9-194. Compensation of registrars, deputies and assistants. The registrars of voters, deputy registrars and assistants shall receive for their services such sum as may be allowed by the selectmen, and all expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties shall be audited by the selectmen and paid by the town, but, in no case, shall such compensation be regulated by the number of names registered.

Sec. 9-195. Compensation of registrars and town clerks for duties as to enrollment. For the performance of the duties relating to the enrollment of electors on enrollment lists, each registrar and deputy registrar actually engaged therein, and each town clerk not upon a salary, shall receive such reasonable compensation and expenses from the town for which the enrollment is made as are approved by the selectmen thereof and, from the city or borough for which the enrollment is made, such sums as are approved by its common council or warden or burgesses or, where town and city governments are consolidated, such sums as are approved by the common council of such city.

Secs. 9-196 and 9-197. Assessors. Minority representation for assessors in towns holding annual elections. Sections 9-196 and 9-197 are repealed.

Sec. 9-198. Determination of number, method of election or appointment, term and compensation of assessors. Section 9-198 is repealed, effective October 1, 2010.

Sec. 9-199. Boards of assessment appeals. Alternate and additional members. (a) Unless otherwise provided by law, each town shall elect a board of assessment appeals consisting of three members and shall elect such officers at regular municipal elections for terms of four years. Such members of the board of assessment appeals shall hold office for the term for which they are elected and until their successors are elected and have qualified. When the number of members of the board of assessment appeals to be elected by any town is even, no person shall vote for more than one-half the number, and when the number to be elected is odd, no person shall vote for more than a bare majority of the number, provided the legislative body of any town may provide that the electors of such town vote for the full number of members to be elected thereat, any provision of the special acts to the contrary notwithstanding. The candidates in number sufficient to fill such offices who have the highest number of votes shall be elected. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the method of rotation of members of a board of assessment appeals legally in effect on October 1, 1976.

(b) The legislative body of a municipality or, in the case of a municipality for which the legislative body is a town meeting or a representative town meeting, the board of selectmen may appoint an alternate for each member of the board of assessment appeals. Each alternate member shall be an elector of the municipality. When seated, an alternate member shall have all the powers and duties of a member of the board of assessment appeals.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or of any special act, municipal charter or home rule ordinance, a municipality may, by ordinance, authorize its legislative body to appoint additional members to the board of assessment appeals for any assessment year.

Sec. 9-200. Constables. Each town shall elect, at its regular municipal election, unless otherwise provided by law and except as provided in section 9-185, not more than seven constables; except that the town of Groton may elect fourteen constables. When the number of constables to be elected by any town is even, no person shall vote for more than one-half the number; when the number to be elected is odd, no person shall vote for more than a bare majority of the number. The candidates in number sufficient to fill the office of constable who have the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.

Sec. 9-201. Election of five-member boards of police commissioners. Any town, at the next regular municipal election following action under section 7-274, shall elect two members of the board of police commissioners to serve for a term of two years and three for four years. At each such election thereafter, a member shall be elected for a term of four years to succeed each member whose term has expired. Each member of such board shall serve for the term for which he is elected and until his successor is elected and has qualified.

Sec. 9-202. Board of finance. Any town adopting a resolution for which provision is made in section 7-340 shall, at the next regular municipal election elect six electors of such town who shall constitute the board of finance, two of whom shall be elected to serve until the next such election, two to serve until the second such election from such date and two to serve until the third such election from such date. At each such election thereafter, the town shall elect, in the same manner as the town officers are elected, two electors of such town as members of such board of finance to serve for six years. Each member of the board of finance shall serve for the term for which he is elected and until his successor is elected and has qualified.

Sec. 9-203. Number and term of members of boards of education. The board of education in each town shall consist of three, six, nine or twelve residents of such town, except as provided in section 9-205. In a town holding annual elections one-third of the members of such board shall be elected annually for the term of three years. Any town may, at any time, by ordinance, make the number of its board of education three, six, nine or twelve, and, at the next election thereafter held in each such town, the terms of all members of the board of education shall terminate and sufficient members shall be elected to fill the entire number of positions on said board as determined by such ordinance. In each such town which holds annual elections, at such next election one-third of the members of such board shall be elected for a term of one year, one-third shall be elected for a term of two years and one-third shall be elected for a term of three years; and at each annual election thereafter held, one-third of the members of such board shall be elected for a term of three years. In each such town which holds biennial elections, at such next election and at each biennial election thereafter held, members of the board of education shall be elected in accordance with the procedure prescribed in section 9-206 for a town which adopts biennial elections. The provisions of this section and section 9-204 shall not be construed to repeal or affect any special act relating to a town which elects the members of its board of education in a different manner or for different terms.

Sec. 9-204. Minority representation on board of education. (a) Unless otherwise provided by special act or charter provision, including the charter provisions described in subsection (b) of this section, when the number of members to be elected to the board of education for the same term at any election is even, no elector shall vote for more than half that number and when the number of members to be elected to the board of education for the same term at any election is odd, no elector shall vote for more than a bare majority of that number.

(b) Any charter which (1) provides for the election of the members of a board of education at one town election for the same term, (2) incorporates section 9-167a by reference to determine minority representation for such board of education and (3) makes no reference to the number of candidates for which an elector may vote for such board of education shall be deemed to have set the number of candidates an elector may vote for and the number of candidates who may be endorsed by any political party at the maximum levels specified in the table contained in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-167a.

Sec. 9-204a. Nomination and voting for full number of board members to be elected authorized. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-204 and 9-414 and of any special act or town charter, any town may, by charter, or by referendum vote taken at any regular election in such town pursuant to either a vote of its legislative body or a petition signed by at least five per cent of the electors of such town as established by the last-preceding registry list of such town, authorize the nomination by any political party of candidates for election as members of the board of education of such town equal to the number of members of said board to be elected at such election, and authorize the electors of such town to vote for the full number of such members to be elected, provided not more than one-half of the members of said board declared elected to the same term at such election shall be of the same political party if the number to be elected is even and not more than a bare majority thereof shall be members of the same political party if the number to be elected is odd. If the number of candidates, sufficient to fill the offices voted on, receiving the highest number of votes at any such election are of the same political party, those persons sufficient to fill one-half or a bare majority of such offices, as the case may be, who received the highest number of votes among such candidates shall be declared elected and those persons receiving the next highest number of votes who do not belong to such political party, sufficient in number to fill the remaining offices, shall be declared elected.

Sec. 9-204b. Optional alternative system for towns with four-year terms for board of education. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general statute to the contrary, in any town which provides for four-year terms for members to be elected to the board of education and whose legislative body adopts the provisions of this section by charter or ordinance, and the number of members to be elected is odd or even, any elector may vote for all of that number and the persons receiving the greatest number of votes shall be elected, except that when the number of members of any one political party who would be elected without regard to section 9-167a exceeds the maximum number as determined by said section, then only the candidates of such political party with the highest number of votes up to the limit of such maximum, shall be elected. The next highest ranking candidates, not from such political party, shall be elected, up to the number of places to be filled in such election. Each political party shall have the right to nominate as many persons as there are vacancies on the board and those names shall be placed upon the ballot.

Sec. 9-205. Election of board of education when number of members revised. (a) Any town may, at any time, by ordinance, make the number of its board of education five, seven or eight. If any town which holds biennial town elections, by ordinance, makes the number of its board of education five, seven or eight, at the town election next following such action the terms of office of the members of such board then in office shall expire; and, if the number so chosen is five, such town shall elect three members of such board to hold office for two years and two members to hold office for four years each from the date of election, and, at each town election thereafter, shall elect members of such board in place of the members whose terms expire, each for a term of four years from the date of election. If the number of such board members so chosen is seven, such town shall elect four members to hold office for two years and three members to hold office for four years, each from the date of election, and, at each town election thereafter, shall elect members of such board in place of the members whose terms expire, each for a term of four years from the date of election. If the number of such board members so chosen is eight, such town shall elect four members to hold office for two years and four members to hold office for four years, each from the date of election, and, at each town election thereafter, shall elect members of such board in place of the members whose terms expire, each for a term of four years from the date of election.

(b) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of sections 9-203 and 9-204, and any applicable provision of said sections shall apply to this section.

Sec. 9-206. Election of board of education in towns adopting biennial elections. Alternate rotation of terms and length of terms permitted. (a) In any town having a board of education of three, six, nine or twelve members established in accordance with the general statutes which has adopted biennial elections, at each such election one-third of the members of such board shall be elected for a term of six years. In any town having any such board which adopts biennial elections, at its first biennial election sufficient members of the board of education shall be elected to fill the entire number of positions on said board for terms as follows: One-third shall be elected for a term of two years, one-third shall be elected for a term of four years and one-third shall be elected for a term of six years. At each biennial election thereafter, one-third of the members of such board shall be elected for a term of six years.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, any town having a board of education of three, six, nine or twelve members established in accordance with the general statutes which has adopted biennial elections may, by charter provision or by ordinance, establish a different method of rotation and a different length of the term of office. Such ordinance or charter provision shall take effect at the next regular town election following the effective date of such ordinance or charter provision.

Sec. 9-206a. Optional number of members and terms of boards of education. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-203, 9-205 and 9-206, any town may, by charter provision, provide for the election of a board of education consisting of not less than three nor more than twelve electors of such town for terms of two, three, four or six years. Each such town may provide in an ordinance or charter provision for method of rotation. Such ordinance or charter provision shall not take effect until six months after adoption. Members of boards of education shall first be elected in accordance with any such ordinance or charter provision at the next regular town election following the effective date of such ordinance or charter provision.

(b) No person serving an elected term to a board of education on the effective date of any such ordinance or charter provision shall have his term shortened or terminated by virtue of such ordinance or charter provision.

Sec. 9-207. Library directors. Any municipality, after establishing a library under the provisions of sections 11-20 and 11-21, shall at the first regular municipal election after the establishment of such library, elect one-third of the directors to hold office until the next such election, one-third until the second such election and one-third until the third such election, and, at all such elections of such municipality thereafter, one-third of the directors shall be elected to hold office for six years.

Sec. 9-208. Election of library directors on change from annual to biennial election. Section 9-208 is repealed.

Sec. 9-209. Certificate filed with secretary when planning or zoning members to be elected. The town clerk of any town which has provided by ordinance for the election of the members of its planning commission, zoning commission or zoning board of appeals shall file a certificate with the Secretary of the State setting forth the terms of office and the number of members of such commission or board for which each elector may vote.

Sec. 9-210. Incompatible town offices. No selectman shall hold the office of town clerk, town treasurer or collector of town taxes during the same official year, nor that of judge of probate for the district within which such town is located; no town treasurer shall hold the office of collector of town taxes during the same official year; nor shall any town clerk or selectman be elected a registrar of voters; and no registrar of voters shall hold the office of town clerk. No assessor shall act as a member of the board of assessment appeals. No member of the board of finance of any town shall hold any salaried town office unless otherwise provided by special act. If any registrar of voters is elected to the office of town clerk or selectman and accepts the office, he shall thereupon cease to be a registrar; and, if any town clerk or selectman is elected registrar of voters, the election shall be void; and in either of said cases the selectmen shall forthwith appoint another registrar by a writing signed by them and filed with the town clerk; but the person so appointed shall be a member of the same political party as that to which the person so elected belongs.

PART III*

VACANCIES

*See Sec. 9-169e re voting districts in special elections held to fill vacancies in district or municipal offices.

Sec. 9-211. United States senator; vacancy. (a) In case of a vacancy in the office of senator in Congress, the Governor, except as otherwise provided by federal or state law, shall, not more than ten days after the occurrence of such vacancy, issue writs of election directed to the town clerks or assistant town clerks ordering an election to be held on the one hundred fiftieth day after the issue of such writs on a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, to fill such vacancy for the remaining portion of the term vacated, provided (1) except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, if such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state or municipal election in November of any year, the Governor shall so issue such writs that order an election to be held on the day of such regular election, (2) except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, if such vacancy occurs after the municipal election in the year preceding the last year of the term of a senator or in the last year of the term of a senator, the Governor shall nominate a person to fill such vacancy and such nomination shall be filed with both the clerk of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives. Approval of such nomination shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the membership of each chamber of the General Assembly, or (3) if such a vacancy occurs in the year of a state election and not more than sixty-two days prior to such election, and the office of senator in Congress for which the vacancy exists will be on the ballot during such election, the Governor shall not issue such writs and no election shall be held under this section. If the position vacated is that of member-elect, the Governor shall so issue writs and an election shall be held as provided in this section.

(b) The Governor shall cause writs of election issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to be conveyed to a state marshal, who shall forthwith transmit an attested copy thereof to such clerks or assistant clerks. Such clerks or assistant clerks, on receiving such writs, shall warn elections to be held on the day appointed therein in the same manner as state elections are warned, which elections shall be organized and conducted as are state elections, and the vote shall be declared, certified, directed, deposited, returned and transmitted in the same manner as at a state election.

Sec. 9-211a. Fifty or more vacancies in the office of senator in Congress among the states. Connecticut vacancy. Governor’s power to appoint. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-211, in the event that among the states there are fifty or more vacancies in the office of senator in Congress at any single point in time and one of such vacancies is from Connecticut, the Governor is empowered to fill such vacancy by appointment as herein provided. If such vacancy occurs one hundred fifty or more days prior to a state election, the appointee shall serve until the third day of January following such election, and at such election there shall be elected a senator in Congress to serve for the remaining portion, if any, of the term vacated. If such vacancy occurs within less than one hundred fifty days of a state election and the term vacated does not expire on the third day of January following such election, the appointee shall serve until the third day of January following the next such election but one, and at such next election but one there shall be elected a senator in Congress to serve for the remaining portion, if any, of the term vacated. If such vacancy occurs within less than one hundred fifty days of a state election and the term vacated expires on the third day of January following, the appointee shall serve until such third day of January.

Sec. 9-212. Representative in Congress. (a) In case of a vacancy in the office of representative in Congress from any district, the Governor, except as otherwise provided by law, shall not more than ten days after the occurrence of such vacancy issue writs of election directed to the town clerks or assistant town clerks, in such district, ordering an election to be held on the sixtieth day after the issue of such writs on a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, to fill such vacancy, provided (1) if such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state or municipal election in November of any year, the Governor shall so issue such writs on the sixtieth day before the day of such regular election, ordering an election to be held on the day of such regular election, (2) if such a vacancy occurs after the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state election but before the regular state election, the Governor shall not issue such writs and no election shall be held under this section, unless the position vacated is that of member-elect, in which case the Governor shall issue such writs and an election shall be held as provided in this section, and (3) if a primary for such office occurs pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of section 9-450, the Governor shall, within ten days following the filing of a candidacy for nomination by a person other than the party-endorsed candidate, issue new writs of election, in place of those first issued pursuant to this section.

(b) The Governor shall cause writs of election issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to be conveyed to a state marshal, who shall forthwith transmit an attested copy thereof to such clerks or assistant clerks. Such clerks or assistant clerks, on receiving such writs, shall warn elections to be held on the day appointed therein in the same manner as state elections are warned, which elections shall be organized and conducted as are state elections, and the vote shall be declared, certified, directed, deposited, returned and transmitted in the same manner as at a state election.

Sec. 9-213. Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General. (a) If the office of Secretary of the State or Comptroller becomes vacant, the General Assembly, if in session, shall fill it; but, if the vacancy occurs when the General Assembly is not in session or if the General Assembly fails to make an appointment to fill the vacancy, it shall be filled by the Governor.

(b) Any vacancy in the office of Attorney General shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term.

(c) (1) If the office of the Treasurer becomes vacant, the General Assembly, if in session, shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term. (2) If the vacancy occurs when the General Assembly is not in session, or if the General Assembly fails to make an appointment to fill the vacancy and the vacancy does not occur in the year in which a state election is to be held for the office of the Treasurer, the Governor shall appoint a person to serve as acting Treasurer until the next regular session of the General Assembly at which time the Governor shall nominate a successor for the office of Treasurer who shall be subject to approval by the General Assembly. (3) If the vacancy occurs when the General Assembly is not in session or if the General Assembly fails to make an appointment to fill the vacancy and the vacancy occurs in the year in which a state election is to be held for the office of the Treasurer, the Deputy Treasurer shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term.

Sec. 9-214. State representative. Section 9-214 is repealed.

Sec. 9-215. Member or member-elect of the General Assembly. (a) When any member or member-elect of the General Assembly resigns, the member or member-elect shall resign by notifying the Secretary of the State of the member’s or member-elect’s decision, and if any member or member-elect of the General Assembly dies, the town clerk from the town in which the member or member-elect resides shall notify the Secretary of the State of such death.

(b) When any such vacancy occurs, except as provided in this section, the Governor shall, within ten days after its occurrence, issue writs of election, directed to the town clerks or assistant town clerks in the several towns in the district in which the vacancy exists, ordering an election to be held therein on the forty-sixth day after the issue of such writs to fill such vacancy, and cause them to be conveyed to such town clerks or assistant town clerks. No such election shall be held on a Saturday or Sunday. If such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-fifth day and the forty-ninth day before the day of a regular state or municipal election in November of any year, the Governor shall so issue such writs on the forty-sixth day before the day of such regular election, ordering an election to be held on the day of such regular election. If such a vacancy occurs after the forty-ninth day before the day of a regular state election but before the Wednesday following the first Monday of January of the next-succeeding year, the Governor shall not issue such writs and no election shall be held under this section, unless the position vacated is that of member-elect, in which case the Governor shall issue such writs and an election shall be held as provided in this section.

(c) Such clerks or assistant clerks, on receiving such writs, but not earlier than the date of issuance of such writs, shall warn elections to be held on the day appointed therein, in the same manner as state elections are warned, which elections shall be organized and conducted in the same manner as a state election. The vote shall be declared, certified, directed, deposited, returned and transmitted in the same manner as at a state election. The registry lists used at such elections shall be the last-completed lists, as provided in sections 9-172a and 9-172b.

(d) (1) If such vacancy exists in a senatorial or assembly district composed of a single town or part of a single town, such nominations by political parties shall be made as the rules of such parties provide, in accordance with section 9-390, and filed with the town clerk; except that (A) if such rules provide for selection by delegates and the vacancy exists in a senatorial or assembly district composed of a single town, the delegates to the convention held for the nomination of a candidate for the office of state senator or state representative in such town at the last state election shall be the delegates for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill such vacancy; (B) if such rules provide for the selection by delegates and the vacancy exists in a senatorial or assembly district composed of part of a single town, the delegates to the convention held for the nomination of a candidate for the office of state senator or state representative in such district at the last state election shall be the delegates for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill such vacancy; and (C) if such rules provide for direct primaries under section 9-390, the nomination shall be made by the town committee of such party in the case of a vacancy in a senatorial or assembly district composed of a single town and, in a senatorial or assembly district composed of part of a single town, by the members of the town committee from such political subdivision or senatorial or assembly district. (2) If such vacancy is a district office, as defined in section 9-372, the delegates to the senatorial or assembly convention for the last state election shall be the delegates for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill such vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the delegation from any town, political subdivision or district, such vacancy may be filled by the town committee of the town in which the delegate resided. Nominations by political parties pursuant to this section may be made and certified at any time after the resignation or death of the member or member-elect of the General Assembly and not later than the thirty-sixth day before the day of the election. No such nomination shall be effective until the presiding officer and secretary of any district convention have certified the nomination to the Secretary of the State or, in the case of a vacancy in a senatorial or assembly district composed of a single town or part thereof, until the presiding officer and secretary of the town committee or single town convention have certified the nomination to the town clerk.

(e) No primary shall be held for the nomination of any political party to fill any vacancy in the office of state senator or state representative and the party-endorsed candidate so selected shall be deemed, for the purposes of chapter 153, the person certified by the Secretary of the State under section 9-444 as the nominee of such party.

(f) When the vacancy is filled, the successor to the office shall appear before the Secretary of the State and be sworn to the faithful performance of duties in accordance with section 1-25.

Sec. 9-216. Nomination by petition. Nominations may also be made by petition in vacancy elections for the offices of state senator and state representative in the manner provided in sections 9-379 and 9-453a to 9-453p, inclusive, which petitions shall be submitted to the town clerk of the town in which the signers reside not later than eight days after the issue of such writs as provided in section 9-215 and filed in the office of the Secretary of the State not later than two days thereafter.

Sec. 9-217. List of candidates. Notwithstanding the requirement of twenty-eight days’ notice to the Secretary of the State under sections 9-434 and 9-461, the clerk of the municipality in which such election is to be held shall file with the Secretary of the State a list of the candidates of each party for such office by the thirty-second day before such special election.

Sec. 9-218. Probate judge. When there is no election of probate judge in any district by reason of two or more having an equal and the highest number of votes, or when a new probate district is created and no provision made for the election of a judge thereof, or whenever it is shown to the Governor that a vacancy is about to exist in said office by reason of the resignation of the incumbent to take effect at a future time or by reason of constitutional limitation, or when there is a vacancy in said office, the Governor may issue writs of election directed to the town clerk or clerks or assistant town clerk or clerks within such district, ordering an election to be held on a day named therein, other than a Saturday or Sunday, to fill such vacancy or impending vacancy, and transmit the same to a state marshal. Such state marshal shall forthwith transmit them to such clerk or clerks, who, on receiving the same, shall warn elections to be held on the day appointed in such writs, in the same manner as state elections are warned. Such elections shall be organized and conducted, and the vote shall be declared and returns made, certified, directed, deposited and transmitted, in the same manner as at a state election. The Secretary of the State, Treasurer and Comptroller shall, within thirty days after any such election, count and declare the votes so returned, and notice shall be given to the person declared elected, in the same manner as is provided in the election of probate judges at state elections. The Secretary of the State shall enter the returns in tabular form in books kept by him for that purpose and present a copy of the same, with the name of, and the total number of votes received by, each of the candidates for said office, to the Governor within ten days thereafter. The Probate Court Administrator shall cite a probate judge to act as a judge in the district during any vacancy in said office in accordance with section 45a-120.

Sec. 9-219. Justice of the peace. Section 9-219 is repealed.

Sec. 9-220. Town office. If any town office in any town is vacant from any cause, such town, if such office is elective, shall, except as otherwise provided by law, fill the vacancy at the next town election or at a special election called for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of section 9-164, but, until such vacancy is so filled, it shall be filled by the selectmen. The selectmen shall fill all vacancies in offices to which they have the power of appointment.

Sec. 9-221. Municipal office vacancy election provisions inapplicable in certain circumstances. (a) When under the provisions of any general statute, special act or charter, it is required that a vacancy in any municipal office be filled at the next municipal election, such provisions shall not apply to any incumbent appointed to fill such vacancy when the unexpired portion of the term for which he was appointed terminates on July first of the year in which such municipal election is to be held or within one hundred days following such next municipal election, and such incumbent appointee shall serve for the unexpired portion of such term.

(b) When under the provisions of any general statute, special act or charter, it is required that a vacancy in any municipal office be filled at the next municipal election, such provisions shall not apply to any such vacancy which occurs after the deadline for the nomination of candidates specified in section 9-452 and any such vacancy thereafter occurring may be filled until such election, by the official or officials authorized to fill such vacancy, by the appointment of a qualified person to serve until such election and shall forthwith be filled after such election by the official or officials so authorized who are serving after such election by the appointment of a qualified person, provided the period of thirty days set forth in section 7-107 shall not begin with respect to such vacancy until the day after the day of such election and provided, if any portion of the term in which such vacancy occurred remains unexpired after the second municipal election to be held in such municipality after the time of its occurrence, it shall be filled at such second municipal election, except as herein provided.

(c) When under the provisions of any general statute, special act or charter, it is required that a vacancy in any municipal office be filled at the next municipal election, and such a vacancy occurs after the day before the time specified in section 9-391 for the parties to endorse candidates to run in a primary for nomination to an office and prior to the deadline for the nomination of candidates specified in section 9-452, nomination of a candidate for such vacancy may be made only by a major or minor party, as defined in section 9-372, entitled to a place on the ballot with respect to such office under section 9-379 and shall be made by the appointment of a nominee by the town committee of any such party in such municipality, which nomination shall be certified to the clerk of such municipality by the chairman and secretary of such town committee not later than four o’clock p.m. of the fifth day following the deadline for the nomination of candidates specified in section 9-452, except that when such date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, such certification shall be made not later than four o’clock p.m. of the next succeeding business day. The municipal clerk shall include the name of any such nominee in the list of candidates of each party for the municipal offices to be filled at such election in accordance with section 9-461. Upon the occurrence of any such vacancy, such municipal clerk shall forthwith notify in writing the chairman or secretary of the town committee of any such party in such municipality of its occurrence.

Sec. 9-222. Filling of vacancy in office of first selectman or selectman. Petition for special election. When a vacancy occurs in the office of first selectman or in the office of selectman it shall be filled within thirty days after the day of its occurrence by the remaining members of the board of selectmen. Said remaining members may appoint one of themselves to fill a vacancy in the office of first selectman, if they so desire, and shall then fill the ensuing vacancy in the office of selectman as herein provided. If such a vacancy in the office of first selectman or of selectman is not so filled within thirty days after the day of its occurrence, the town clerk shall, within ten days thereafter, notify the elective town officers enrolled in the same political party as the first selectman or selectman, as the case may be, who vacated the office, or all elective town officers, if such first selectman or selectman who vacated the office was not enrolled with a political party, and it shall be filled by such elective town officers within sixty days after its occurrence. Any person so appointed shall serve for the portion of the term remaining unexpired or until a special election called as hereinafter provided upon petition of a number of electors of such town equal to five per cent of the names on the last-completed registry list thereof, but not fewer than fifty such electors. Such petition shall be filed no later than fifteen days after the appointment by the remaining selectmen or such elective town officers, as the case may be. Such a special election shall forthwith be called by the town clerk upon the filing of such a petition with him and shall be held in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-164, 9-450 and 9-459. The term “town officers”, as used in this section, shall not include state representatives or town officers who serve on town boards whose members are not all elected at one town election for the same term.

Sec. 9-223. Notice of vacancy in municipal office. The clerk of any town, the mayor of any city or the warden of any borough in which a vacancy occurs in any elective office shall notify the Secretary of the State of such vacancy within five days thereafter; and, in the case of a vacancy in the office of town clerk, the first selectman of such town or, in the case of a vacancy in the office of mayor of a city or of warden of a borough, the clerk of such city or the clerk of such borough, as the case may be, shall so notify the Secretary of the State of such vacancy. The officer required to give such notice shall, within five days after any such vacancy has been filled, notify the Secretary of the State of the name and address of the person chosen to fill the vacancy, the time and method of its filling and the law under which it was filled.

Sec. 9-224. Special election on same day as regular election. If any special election is called to fill a vacancy in any office on the same day as a regular election, the names of the candidates for such office shall be placed on the same ballot as the names of the candidates to be voted for at such regular election, and except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, the provisions of the statutes governing regular elections shall apply to such special election.

Sec. 9-224a. No election if only one candidate in special election to fill vacancy. At any special election called to fill a vacancy in a state, district, or municipal office if there appears on the ballot the name of only one candidate, and no person has registered as a write-in candidate as provided in section 9-224b, the special election shall not be held. In the case of a municipal office, the sole candidate shall be declared elected by the municipal clerk and, in the case of a state or district office, by the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-224b. Registration as write-in candidate in special election to fill vacancy. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, in order to be a valid write-in candidate in a special election called to fill a vacancy in a state, district or municipal office, a person shall register with the Secretary of the State not earlier than ninety days before such election and not later than the end of the business day on the fourteenth day preceding such election.

(b) In order to be a valid write-in candidate in a special election called to fill a vacancy in the municipal office of town meeting member in any town having a representative town meeting which has seventy-five or more members, a person shall register with the town clerk of such town not earlier than ninety days preceding such election and not later than the last business day preceding the election.

(c) Any such registration shall include a statement of the office sought by such person and a statement of consent to being a write-in candidate by such person. Such registration shall not include a designation of a political party.

PART IV

WARNING OF ELECTIONS

Sec. 9-225. State elections. (a) The town clerk or assistant town clerk of each town shall warn the electors therein to meet on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in the even-numbered years, at six o’clock a.m., which warning shall be given by publication in a newspaper having a general circulation in such town, or towns in the case of a joint publication under subsection (b) of this section, not more than fifteen nor less than five days previous to holding such election. The clerk in each town shall, in the warning for such election, give notice of the time and the location of the polling place in the town, and in towns divided into voting districts, of the time and the location of the polling place in each district, at which such election will be held. The town clerk shall record each such warning.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any charter or home rule ordinance, the warning under subsection (a) of this section may be published jointly by two or more towns in a newspaper, provided all other requirements of this section with respect to such warning are met.

Sec. 9-226. Municipal elections. The warning of each municipal election shall specify the objects for which such election is to be held. Notice of a town election shall be given by the town clerk or assistant town clerk, by publishing a warning in a newspaper published in such town or having a general circulation therein, such publication to be not more than fifteen, nor less than five days previous to holding the election. The town clerk in each town shall, in the warning for such election, give notice of the time and the location of the polling place in the town and, in towns divided into voting districts, of the time and the location of the polling place in each district. The town clerk shall record each such warning. Notice of an election of a city or borough shall be given by publishing a warning in a newspaper published within the limits of such city or borough, or having a general circulation therein, not more than fifteen nor less than five days previous to holding the election, which warning shall include notice of the time and the location of the polling place in such city or borough and, in cities and boroughs divided into voting districts, of the time and the location of the polling place in each district.

Sec. 9-227. Record of warning of municipal election. Section 9-227 is repealed.

PART V

CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS

Sec. 9-228. Municipal elections. All municipal elections shall be held and conducted, as far as may be, in the same manner as state elections, unless otherwise provided by law.

Sec. 9-228a. Certification re location of polling place. Report to Secretary of the State identifying moderators. Removal of moderator by Secretary.

(a) The registrars of voters of each municipality shall, not later than thirty-one days prior to each municipal, state or federal election or primary, certify to the Secretary of the State, in writing, the location of each polling place that will be used for such election or primary. Such certification shall detail the name, address, relevant contact information and corresponding federal, state and municipal districts associated with each polling place used for such election or primary.

(b) The registrars of voters of each municipality shall, prior to each municipal, state or federal election or primary, provide a written report to the Secretary of the State setting forth the names and addresses of each moderator for each polling place location disclosed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The Secretary of the State shall have the authority to disqualify any moderator appointed by the registrars of voters if, after consultation with both registrars of voters, the Secretary determines such moderator has committed material misconduct, material neglect of duty or material incompetence in the discharge of his or her duties as a moderator. If the Secretary disqualifies a moderator, the Secretary shall share his or her findings upon which the disqualification was based with the registrars of voters.

Sec. 9-229. Appointment of moderators. Certification and duties of regional election monitors. Instruction and certification of moderators. Regulations. Alternate moderators.

Sec. 9-229a. Election or primary day polling place observers. Appointment. Duties. Training program. Regulations. Additional election officials. Code of ethics for polling place observers. Section 9-229a is repealed, effective July 13, 2011.

Sec. 9-229b. Regional election monitors. Contract. Memorandum of understanding. (a) There shall be a regional election monitor within each planning region, as defined in section 4-124i, who shall represent, consult with and act on behalf of the Secretary of the State in preparations for and operations of any election, primary or recanvass, or any audit conducted pursuant to section 9-320f.

(b) Not later than March first of the year of each regular election, each regional council of governments shall contract with an individual, in accordance with section 4-124p, to serve as the regional election monitor for such planning region. The regional election monitor shall (1) be an elector of this state, (2) perform the duties of the position in a nonpartisan manner, (3) have prior field experience in the conduct of elections, and (4) be certified by the Secretary of the State in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 9-229 or as soon after execution of such contract as practicable. The regional election monitor shall not be considered a state employee and shall, in accordance with such contract, be compensated for the performance of any duty agreed upon by the parties and reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of such duties. The regional council of governments shall, in accordance with such contract, provide the regional election monitor with any space, supplies, equipment and services necessary to properly carry out the duties of the position. The regional council of governments may terminate such contract for any reason.

(c) Not later than March first of the year of each regular election, each regional council of governments shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the State concerning the regional election monitor under contract pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The regional council of governments shall confirm within such memorandum of understanding that (1) each requirement described in subsection (b) of this section is satisfied and the contract between the regional council of governments and the individual who shall serve as regional election monitor specifies minimum expectations of performance under such contract, (2) such regional election monitor is subject to the control and direction of the Secretary of the State, (3) revocation by the Secretary of the State of such regional election monitor’s certification constitutes breach of such contract and results in immediate termination of such contract, and (4) such regional election monitor is retained, absent termination of such contract by the council, until at least thirty days after such regular election.

Sec. 9-230. Authority of registrars and moderators to prevent or suppress disorder. The registrars of voters may request the head of the police department of the municipality, or, if none, a constable serving such municipality, to provide police protection at any polling place of any regular or special state or municipal election where they may anticipate disorder. The moderator of such election may, when any disorder arises in such election and the offender refuses to submit to the moderator’s lawful authority, order any officer with power of arrest to take the offender into custody and, if necessary, to remove the offender from such election until the offender conforms to order or, if need be, until such election is closed, and thereupon such officer may command all necessary assistance. Any person refusing to assist when commanded shall be liable to the same penalties as for refusing to assist constables in the execution of their duties, but no person commanded to assist shall be deprived of such person’s right to vote at such election, nor shall the offender be so deprived any longer than the offender refuses to conform to order.

Sec. 9-231. Oath of election officials. All election officials shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties, and the several moderators and registrars may administer such oaths.

Sec. 9-232. Challengers. Challenges not to be indiscriminate and under oath. (a) Each registrar may appoint one or more challengers in his town or district, one of whom may be present at the offering of any vote; and any such challenger or any elector may challenge the right of any person offering to vote, on the ground of want of identity with the person on whose name the vote is offered, or disfranchisement or lack of bona fide residence, and the moderator shall decide upon the right of the person so challenged to vote.

(b) Challenges shall not be made indiscriminately and may only be made if the challenger knows, suspects or reasonably believes such a person not to be qualified and entitled to vote. Any challenge by an elector and the statement of the person challenged shall be under oath, administered by the moderator.

Sec. 9-232a. Remedy for denial of voting rights. Any elector qualified to vote and offering to vote at any election, who is denied the right to vote because his name has been checked off on the check list in use at his polling place, but who claims that he has not in fact voted or offered himself to vote either in person or by absentee ballot, shall be permitted to vote upon signing and furnishing to the moderator a statement, under penalties of false statement, that he is an elector qualified to vote in that election and has neither offered himself to vote nor voted in person or by absentee ballot at said election. Such statement shall be in form substantially as follows:

To the Moderator of …. (Polling Place)

I, …. (Name), of …. (Street Address), of the (City) (Town) (Borough) of …. do hereby state, under the penalties of false statement, that (1) I am an elector in said municipality, (2) I am qualified to vote in the (State) (City) (Town) (Borough) (Special) election being held in said municipality on this date and (3) I have not prior to this time offered myself to vote or voted either in person or by absentee ballot at said election.

…. a.m., p.m. (exact time of day)

Dated at …., Connecticut, this …. day of …., 20…

…. (Signature)

…. (Address)

Received at …. (Time) (a.m.) (p.m.) on this …. day of …., 20.., by, …. (Signature) Moderator of …. (Polling Place)

Sec. 9-232b. Penalty for false statement. Any person wilfully making a false statement in a statement which he signs and furnishes to a moderator of an election under section 9-232a shall be guilty of false statement, as provided in section 9-8, and shall be subject to the penalties provided for false statement.

Sec. 9-232c. Moderator to keep memorandum of challenge; form. The moderator shall keep an accurate memorandum of the challenge which shall include (1) the name of the challenged voter; (2) his registry list address; (3) the reason for the challenge; (4) the name and address of the challenger; (5) pertinent facts concerning the challenge; and (6) the result of the moderator’s decision. The challenged voter shall also sign such memorandum and it shall be assigned the same number as the challenged ballot.

Sec. 9-232d. Request for challenged ballot. If the moderator’s decision pursuant to section 9-232 is not favorable to the challenged voter, such person may request a challenged ballot by submitting an application to the moderator, such application shall include as part thereof an affidavit that such person possesses all the qualifications for voting and is entitled to vote at the election.

Sec. 9-232e. Casting of challenged ballot, procedure. Any person requesting a challenged ballot and entitled thereto shall announce his or her name to the official checkers. The registrars of voters or the assistant registrar of voters, as the case may be, shall write, in red ink, before the elector’s name on the registry list the initials “CB”. The challenged ballot shall be a regular ballot. After the voter has so announced his or her name, the moderator shall deliver to such voter a regular ballot together with a serially-numbered envelope marked “Challenged Ballot”. The challenged voter shall forthwith mark the ballot in the presence of the moderator in such manner that the moderator shall not know how the ballot is marked. The challenged voter shall then fold the ballot in the presence of the moderator so as to conceal the markings and deposit and seal it in the serially-numbered envelope. The challenged voter shall then deliver such envelope to the moderator. The moderator shall retain all such envelopes in an envelope provided by the registrars of voters that shall be sealed immediately following the close of the polls. Such envelope shall be delivered to the head moderator who shall file the envelope with the municipal clerk. The municipal clerk shall retain such envelope until the time when such envelope may be destroyed.

Sec. 9-232f. Preservation and counting of challenged ballots. The town clerk shall preserve such ballots in the sealed envelopes for a period of one hundred eighty days after the election. However, in the case of a contested election, either party to such action may request the court to order that the sealed envelopes containing challenged ballots be delivered to the board of admissions by the town clerk together with any memorandum or remarks which were attached to the election returns or required to be so attached. If so ordered, the board of admissions shall then convene and consider each challenged ballot and rule as to which ballots shall be counted. The results thereof shall be added to the vote totals. Federal offices shall not be counted on a challenged ballot that was issued to a person who was also issued a provisional ballot.

Sec. 9-232g. Transferred to Chapter 145, Sec. 9-159p.

Sec. 9-232h. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 9-232i. Definition. As used in this section and sections 9-23r and 9-232l, “election for federal office” means an election for electors of President and Vice-President, an election or primary for United States Senator and an election or primary for Representative in Congress.

Sec. 9-232j. Provisional ballot packets for elections for federal office. The moderator of the election in each voting district shall appear at the office of the town clerk not later than eight o’clock p.m. of the day before an election for federal office. At such time, the town clerk shall provide a provisional ballot packet to such moderator or moderators. Each packet shall include: (1) The appropriate number of provisional ballots for federal office provided by the Secretary of the State, which shall be equal to not less than one per cent of the number of electors who are eligible to vote in the voting district served by the moderator, or such other number as the municipal clerk and the registrars agree is sufficient to protect electors’ voting rights, (2) the appropriate number of serially-numbered envelopes prescribed by the Secretary, (3) a provisional ballot inventory form, (4) a provisional ballot depository envelope, and (5) other necessary forms prescribed by the Secretary.

Sec. 9-232k. Secretary of the State to prescribe and provide provisional ballots. The Secretary of the State shall prescribe and provide to town clerks the provisional ballot which shall be a ballot of candidates for federal office. The Secretary may prescribe that the provisional ballot be the overseas ballot prepared under section 9-158i.

Sec. 9-232l. Applications for provisional ballots. (a) An individual may apply for and be issued a provisional ballot if (1) the individual appears at the polling place and declares that such individual is an elector in the town in which the individual desires to vote and that the individual is eligible to vote in the primary or election for federal office in the polling place, but the name of the individual does not appear on the official registry list for such polling place, and (2) the registrars determine that such name cannot be restored under section 9-42 or transferred from another polling place under section 9-35.

(b) If the moderator decides that an elector, whose name appears on the registry list and who has been challenged pursuant to sections 9-232 to 9-232f, inclusive, is not eligible to vote in the primary or election for federal office, such elector may apply for and cast a provisional ballot upon the execution of a written affirmation by the elector at the polling place affirming that the elector is qualified to vote in the election or primary for federal office in the polling place and has neither offered himself to vote nor voted in person or by absentee ballot at said election or primary for federal office at the polling place.

(c) Such application for provisional ballot shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the State, executed before an election official and include a written affirmation, under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting pursuant to section 9-359a, which shall be in the form substantially as follows:

AFFIRMATION: I, the undersigned, do hereby state, under penalties of false statement, that:

1. I am an elector in the town indicated.
2. I am eligible to vote in the election or primary indicated for federal office today in the town and polling place indicated.

3.a. My name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the polling place indicated, and the polling place officials called the registrars of voters and were told that my name did not appear on the active registry list for this town for at least one of the four years previous or on one of the preliminary active registry lists for this year; or

1. The moderator decided that I am not eligible to vote for federal office in the town indicated for the reason of disfranchisement, lack of identity, lack of bona fide residence or failure to present the prescribed identification required for new electors after January 1, 2003, indicated.
2. My residence address is located in the voting district that this polling place serves.
3. I have not voted and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot in person or by absentee ballot at this election or primary for federal office.
4. I apply for a provisional ballot for federal office.

Sec. 9-232m. Casting of provisional ballots. Upon receipt of an application for provisional ballot, the moderator shall provide the applicant with a provisional ballot and a serially-numbered envelope and shall make a record of such issuance on the provisional ballot inventory form. The applicant shall forthwith mark the ballot in the presence of a polling place official in such manner that the official shall not know how the ballot is marked. The applicant shall then fold the ballot in the presence of the polling place official so as to conceal the markings and deposit and seal it in the serially-numbered envelope in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State. The polling place official shall provide such documentation to the elector so the elector may later verify whether the elector’s provisional ballot was counted, and shall deposit the provisional ballot and envelope in the provisional ballot depository envelope. The elector shall then immediately leave the room. The registrars of voters shall provide a free access system restricted to the elector who cast the ballot to verify if the provisional ballot was counted, and if the ballot was not counted, the reason that the ballot was not counted.

Sec. 9-232n. Determination of eligibility of provisional ballot applicants to vote. Report. Corrected return. Immediately after the close of the polls, the moderator shall seal the provisional ballot depository envelope and deliver such envelope to the registrars of voters of the town. The registrars of voters shall forthwith verify the information contained with each provisional ballot. If the registrars of voters determine that the applicant is eligible to vote, they shall note their decision on the outer envelope of the ballot and open and count the provisional ballot in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive, and procedures prescribed by the Secretary of the State. If the registrars of voters are unable to determine that the applicant is eligible to vote or determine that the applicant is not eligible to vote, the applicant’s provisional ballot sealed envelope shall be marked “rejected”, along with the reason for such rejection, and signed by the registrars of voters. The registrars of voters shall verify and count all provisional ballots in their town not later than six days after the election or primary. The registrars of voters shall forthwith prepare and sign in duplicate a report showing the number of provisional ballots received from electors, the number rejected and the number counted, and showing the additional votes counted for each candidate for federal office on the provisional ballots. The registrars of voters shall file one report with the town clerk and shall seal one in the depository envelope with the provisional ballots and file such depository envelope with the town clerk. The depository envelope shall be preserved by the town clerk for the period of time required to preserve counted absentee ballots for federal elections. The head moderator shall forthwith file a corrected return for federal offices with the town clerk and the Secretary showing (1) the final votes after any recanvass, pursuant to sections 9-311 to 9-311b, inclusive, the votes on provisional ballots and the totals, and (2) the number of provisional ballots received from electors, the number rejected and the number counted, as reported by the registrars of voters.

Sec. 9-232o. Counting of provisional ballots. Except as otherwise provided by the general statutes, section 9-23r and sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive, the provisions of the general statutes concerning procedures relating to counting absentee ballots shall apply as nearly as may be, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, to counting the provisional ballots under sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

Sec. 9-233. Voting tabulator tenders. Prior to each election, the registrars of voters of each town shall appoint, for each voting tabulator to be used at such election, at least one and not more than two electors of such town as a voting tabulator tender, unless the registrars of voters have established two shifts for election officials under the provisions of section 9-258a, in which case the registrars shall appoint at least one and not more than two electors to be voting tabulator tenders, for each voting tabulator, for each shift.

Sec. 9-234. Presence of registrars. Official checkers. Checking of elector’s name. (a) Each registrar of voters shall be present during the taking of the vote at any regular or special state or municipal election in the registrar’s of voters town or district. The assistants in their respective districts shall, when requested by either registrar of voters, be present at the taking of any such vote and discharge the duties of registrars of voters. Each registrar of voters shall appoint some suitable person to check the list manually on paper or electronically in each district, unless the registrars of voters have established two shifts for election officials under the provisions of section 9-258a, in which case each such registrar of voters shall appoint one such person for each district for each shift. Each such person, who is so appointed official checker, shall manually on paper or electronically check the name of each elector on the list when the elector offers the elector’s vote, and no voting tabulator tender shall permit any vote to be cast upon the voting tabulator until the name has been so checked.

(b) If an official checker is checking the name of an elector electronically, the checker shall use an electronic device approved by the Secretary of the State, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-261c.

(c) If an official checker is using such an electronic device to check the names of voters and such device becomes inoperable, the official checker shall check such names using a printed copy of such list provided pursuant to section 9-39.

Sec. 9-235. Unofficial checkers. (a) At least forty-eight hours prior to each election to be held in a municipality, each registrar of voters in such municipality may appoint for each line of electors in each voting district therein, to serve as unofficial checkers, not more than four electors enrolled in the party with which the registrar is enrolled, provided a registrar may establish two or more shifts for unofficial checkers, in which case such registrar may appoint not more than four such unofficial checkers for each line of electors in each district for each shift. The persons so appointed shall be designees of the town chairman of the party with which such registrar is enrolled, provided such town chairman shall submit the names of such designees in writing to such registrar at least forty-eight hours before the election. A registrar of voters shall, at the request of the town chairman of the party with which such registrar is enrolled, change such appointments of designees of such town chairman, at any time before the closing of the polls on the day of an election.

(b) Except for rows of candidates entitled to unofficial checkers under subsection (a) of this section, each group of three or more electors whose names appear in one single row on the ballot in a voting district, may designate not more than two electors of the state in which the voting district is located, to serve as unofficial checkers on behalf of the candidates whose names appear in such row. Such candidates shall submit a list of the names of such designees to the registrars of voters at least forty-eight hours prior to the election. The registrars of voters shall verify that each such designee is an elector of the state and shall appoint not more than two such designees to serve each such row of candidates. The registrars of voters shall, at the request of such a group of three or more electors, change such designations at any time before the closing of the polls on the day of an election.

(c) If such designation is not so made with respect to unofficial checkers for any voting district at an election, such registrar may appoint for such district not more than four electors of his own choice to serve as unofficial checkers, provided a registrar may establish two or more shifts for unofficial checkers, in which case such registrar may appoint not more than four such unofficial checkers for each line of electors in each district for each shift, such appointment to be made at least twenty-four hours before the election, provided any candidates entitled to unofficial checkers under subsection (b) of this section are deemed to have waived their rights under this section if names of designees are not filed in a timely manner.

(d) No candidate for an office in an election may be an unofficial checker at such election. In municipalities divided into two voting districts in which registrars are elected for each district, such appointments may be made by the registrars in each district. Such unofficial checkers may remain within the polling place for the purpose of checking their own copy of the registry list to indicate the names of electors who have voted, and may enter and leave the restricted area surrounding the polling place during the hours of election or referendum for the purpose of taking such information outside said area or may communicate such information from the polling place by means of telephones provided by the party for which such checkers were appointed. If any such unofficial checker interferes with the orderly process of voting or attempts to influence any elector, he shall be evicted by the moderator. An unofficial checker appointed pursuant to this section may receive compensation from the municipality in which the election is held.

(e) At least forty-eight hours before the opening of the polls at a referendum, the registrars of voters may jointly appoint for each voting district not more than eight electors of the town to serve as unofficial checkers, provided the registrars notify (1) each committee and person on whose behalf a political committee statement of organization or a certificate of exemption has been filed for the referendum with the town clerk in accordance with chapter 155 and (2) each other group known to be for and each other group known to be against the referendum issue, of the right of such committee, person or group to submit designees to the registrars of voters. Any person for or against a referendum question may request consideration for such appointment by notifying the registrars of voters at least forty-eight hours before the opening of the polls at the referendum, indicating his position on the referendum question. The registrars may appoint designees of one side alone if the other side chooses not to submit designees. A list of the names of persons who request such appointment and persons, groups or committees who are notified pursuant to this subsection shall be maintained by the registrars as a public record. If there are no requests or submissions for such appointments, the registrars shall not appoint any such unofficial checkers.

(f) No election or referendum official shall perform the functions of an unofficial checker pursuant to this section.

Sec. 9-235a. Temporary absence of election officials. The provisions of this title requiring the attendance of election officials at the polls during the hours of voting at any election shall not be construed to prevent the absence of any such official for periods of not more than thirty minutes during such hours, provided such official shall first notify the moderator of his intention to be absent, and the moderator shall designate another election official of the same party as the absent official to act for him during his absence. If the moderator intends to be absent for any such period, he shall designate another election official to act for him during his absence. The provisions of this title requiring the attendance of election officials at the polls during the hours of voting at any election shall not be construed to prevent the appointment of (1) such election officials, except for moderators, to serve in two shifts as provided for in section 9-258a, upon vote of the legislative body, or (2) unofficial checkers to serve in two or more shifts as provided in section 9-235.

Sec. 9-235b. Runners. At any election or primary, any person may serve as a runner solely to enter and leave a polling place and the restricted area surrounding the polling place for the purpose of taking outside the polling place and said area, information identifying electors who have cast ballots at such election or primary. Each runner shall be subject to the control of the moderator. No candidate in such election or primary may perform the functions of a runner pursuant to this section. Nothing in this section shall limit the responsibilities of an unofficial checker. If a runner interferes with the orderly process of voting, causes a disturbance or makes unreasonable noise, he shall be evicted by the moderator.

Sec. 9-235c. Voluntary service by election, primary or referendum officials. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary or of any special act, charter or ordinance, any election, primary or referendum official may serve on a voluntary basis without compensation, if such official and the registrars of voters or, in the case of a primary, the registrar of voters of the party conducting the primary, mutually agree.

Sec. 9-235d. Citizens sixteen or seventeen years of age authorized to serve as election or primary officials. Requirements. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of sections 9-233, 9-235 and 9-258 to the contrary, a United States citizen who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and a bona fide resident of a town may be (1) appointed as a challenger or unofficial checker in an election, or (2) appointed as a checker, translator, ballot clerk or voting tabulator tender in an election after (A) attending poll worker training, and (B) receiving the written permission of a parent, guardian or the principal of the school that the citizen attends if the citizen is a secondary school student and the citizen is to be appointed to work on a day when such school is in session.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of section 9-436 or 9-436a to the contrary, a United States citizen who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and a bona fide resident of a town or political subdivision holding a primary may be (1) appointed as a challenger or candidate checker in the primary, or (2) appointed as a checker, translator, ballot clerk or voting tabulator tender in a primary after (A) attending poll worker training, and (B) receiving the written permission of a parent, guardian or the principal of the school that the citizen attends if the citizen is a secondary school student and the citizen is to be appointed to work on a day when such school is in session.

Sec. 9-235e. Secretary of the State allowed access to polling place. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary of the State, or the Secretary’s designee, shall be allowed access to each polling place within the state during any municipal, state or federal election, primary or recanvass for the purpose of reviewing each polling place and recanvass for compliance with state and federal law. If the Secretary is a candidate on the ballot for any election or primary at a polling place, only the Secretary’s designee may access such polling place pursuant to the provisions of this section.

Sec. 9-236. Activities prohibited in and near polling place; distance markers; entry restricted; exceptions. (a) On the day of any primary, referendum or election, no person shall solicit on behalf of or in opposition to the candidacy of another or himself or on behalf of or in opposition to any question being submitted at the election or referendum, or loiter or peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any polling place or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such outside entrance to such polling place or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit (1) parent-teacher associations or parent-teacher organizations from holding bake sales or other fund-raising activities on the day of any primary, referendum or election in any school used as a polling place, provided such sales or activities shall not be held in the room in which the election booths are located, (2) the registrars of voters from directing the officials at a primary, referendum or election to distribute, within the restricted area, adhesive labels on which are imprinted the words “I Voted Today”, or (3) the registrars of voters in a primary, election or referendum from jointly permitting nonpartisan activities to be conducted in a room other than the room in which the election booths are located. The registrars may jointly impose such conditions and limitations on such nonpartisan activity as deemed necessary to ensure the orderly process of voting. The moderator shall evict any person who in any way interferes with the orderly process of voting.

(b) (1) The selectmen shall provide suitable markers to indicate the seventy-five-foot distance from such entrance. Such markers shall consist of a board resting on an iron rod, which board shall be not less than twelve inches square and painted a bright color and shall bear the figures and letters “75 feet” and the following words: “On the day of any primary, referendum or election no person shall solicit in behalf of or in opposition to another or himself or peddle or offer any ballot, advertising matter or circular to another person or loiter within a radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any polling place or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such outside entrance to such polling place or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach.”

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the selectmen may provide the markers required by the provisions of this subsection in effect prior to October 1, 1983, except that in the case of a referendum which is not held in conjunction with an election or a primary, the selectmen shall provide the markers required by subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) The moderator and the moderator’s assistants shall meet at least twenty minutes before the opening of a primary, referendum or an election in the voting district, and shall cause to be placed by a police officer or constable, or such other primary or election official as they select, a suitable number of distance markers. Such moderator or any police officer or constable shall prohibit loitering and peddling of tickets within that distance.

(c) No person shall be allowed within any polling place for any purpose other than casting his or her vote, except (1) those permitted or exempt under this section or section 9-236a, (2) primary officials under section 9-436, (3) election officials under section 9-258, including (A) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, performing his or her official duties, and (B) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing his or her official duties, or (4) party checkers under section 9-235. Representatives of the news media shall be allowed to enter, remain within and leave any polling place or restricted area surrounding any polling place to observe the election, provided any such representative who in any way interferes with the orderly process of voting shall be evicted by the moderator. A number of students in grades four to twelve, inclusive, not to exceed four at any one time in any one polling place, may enter any polling place between twelve o’clock noon and three o’clock p.m. for the purpose of observing the activities taking place in the polling place, provided there is proper parental or teacher supervision present, and provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with the orderly process of voting shall be evicted by the moderator. An elector may be accompanied into any polling place by one or more children who are fifteen years of age or younger and supervised by the elector if the elector is the parent or legal guardian of such children.

(d) Any person who violates any provision of this section or, while the polls are open for voting, removes or injures any such distance marker, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.

Sec. 9-236a. Spare voting tabulator or ballot box for educational use of students. Any town, on its own initiative or upon a request by the Secretary of the State, and with the approval of the legislative body of the town or, in the case of a town in which the legislative body is a town meeting, the board of selectmen, may require a spare voting tabulator or ballot box to be provided inside any polling place or in a room adjacent to the polling place, for the educational use of students from kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive. Upon such approval, the registrars shall establish procedures for the use of the tabulator or ballot box, including but not limited to: (1) Location and preparation of the tabulator or ballot box, (2) duties of tabulator or ballot box tenders, and (3) canvassing the returns. Any such tabulator shall be in addition to the demonstrator or spare voting tabulator required by section 9-260. Ballots completed by students under this section shall be unofficial, and polling place officials shall not be required to handle or count such ballots. Each student who will be using such tabulator or ballot box inside a polling place or a room adjacent to the polling place shall be accompanied by an adult. The supervisor of such students for the purposes of this section shall submit the names of all adults who will be working with such students to the registrars at least forty-eight hours before the election.

Sec. 9-236b. Voter’s Bill of Rights. Sample ballots. Voters in line when polls scheduled to close permitted to vote. Voting instructions and information. Display of identification requirements. (a) The Secretary of the State shall provide each municipality with sufficient quantities of a poster size copy, at least eighteen by twenty-four inches, of a Voter’s Bill of Rights, which shall be posted conspicuously at each polling place. The text of the Voter’s Bill of Rights shall be:

“VOTER’S BILL OF RIGHTS

Every registered voter in this state has the right to:

(1) Inspect a sample ballot before voting;

(2) Receive instructions concerning how to operate voting equipment, on sample voting equipment before voting;

(3) Cast a ballot if the voter is in line when the polls are closing;

(4) Ask for and receive assistance in voting, including assistance in languages other than English where required by federal or state law;

(5) Vote free from coercion or intimidation by election officials or any other person;

(6) Cast a ballot using voting equipment that accurately counts all votes;

(7) Vote by provisional ballot if the individual registered to vote and the individual’s name is not on the voter list;

(8) Be informed of the process for restoring the individual’s right to vote if the individual was incarcerated for a felony conviction; and

(9) Vote independently and in privacy at a polling place, regardless of physical disability.

If any of your rights have been violated, you have the right to file an official complaint with the State Elections Enforcement Commission at …. (toll-free telephone number) or the United States Department of Justice at …. (toll-free telephone number). In addition, before leaving the polling place you may notify the moderator of the violation.”

(b) In any municipality or voting district where federal or state law requires ballots to be made available in a language or languages other than English, the Voter’s Bill of Rights shall also be made available in such language or languages.

(c) Sample ballots shall be made available at all polling places, and any voter shall be permitted to inspect a sample ballot before voting.

(d) Any voter standing in line at a polling place at the time when polls are scheduled to close shall be permitted to vote.

(e) For use at elections for federal office, the Secretary of the State shall prescribe and the municipal clerk shall provide for all polling places in the municipality: (1) Instructions on how to cast a provisional ballot, (2) instructions for mail-in registrants and first-time voters who register to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, (3) general information concerning voting rights under federal and Connecticut laws, including information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if these rights are alleged to have been violated, and (4) general information on federal and state laws concerning prohibitions on acts of fraud and misrepresentation.

(f) For use at each primary, election and referendum, the Secretary of the State shall prescribe and the registrars of voters shall provide for all polling places in the municipality a display of the provisions of section 9-261, describing requirements for identification. Such display shall be prominently posted where the official checkers are located in each polling location so that such display is visible to each elector whose name is being checked on the official checklist.

Sec. 9-237. Display of national and state flags. A United States flag, at least three feet by five feet in size, shall be displayed, and a Connecticut state flag of the same size may be displayed, on the wall inside each polling place during the hours of voting on the day of any regular or special state election. No other international, national or United Nations flag shall be displayed in such polling place.

Sec. 9-237a. Telephones at polling places. The registrars of voters shall provide a telephone for each polling place for the use of the election officials to aid in clarifying the status of electors whose right to vote is questioned, if a telephone is not available and readily accessible for such purpose.

Chapter 147 – Voting Methods

CHAPTER 147 – VOTING METHODS

PART I

VOTING MACHINES AND TABULATORS

Sec. 9-238. Voting tabulators required. Notification of purchase or discontinuance of use. (a) Except as provided in section 9-272, voting tabulators shall be used at all elections held in any municipality, or in any part thereof, for voting and registering and counting votes cast at such elections for officers, and upon all questions or amendments submitted at such elections. The board of selectmen of each town, the common council of each city and the warden and burgesses of each borough shall purchase or lease, or otherwise provide, for use at elections in each such municipality a number of voting tabulators approved by the Secretary of the State. Different voting tabulators may be provided for different voting districts in the same municipality. Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection to the contrary, the registrars of voters of a municipality may determine the number of voting tabulators that shall be provided for use at any special election in such municipality, provided the registrars shall provide at least one voting tabulator in the municipality or, in a municipality divided into voting districts, at least one voting tabulator in each such district.

(b) Upon the purchase or lease of a voting tabulator for use in any municipality, the officials of such municipality purchasing or leasing the same shall forthwith send notification in writing to the Secretary of the State of the name or make of such tabulator, the name of the person who manufactured the same, the name of the person from whom it was purchased or leased and the date on which it was purchased or leased. No voting tabulator shall be used in an election which, in the opinion of the Secretary of the State, does not conform to the requirements of law, is unsuitable for use in such election or does not comply with the voluntary performance and test standards for voting systems adopted by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, 43 USC 15481. When in any municipality the use of a voting tabulator at elections is discontinued because of its age or condition or because it is sold, or for any other reason, such officials shall send written notification to the Secretary of the discontinuance of such tabulator, of the time of and reason for such discontinuance and of the information required in connection with notification of original purchasing or leasing.

Sec. 9-238a. Report to Secretary of number of voting tabulators. During the first week of February in each year, the town clerk of each town shall notify the Secretary of the State, on a form provided by said Secretary, of the total number of voting tabulators in such town and, in towns divided into voting districts, in addition, the same information for each voting district. If the number of tabulators listed in such notification is less than the number required under section 9-238, the town clerk shall include in such notification an explanation of the discrepancy. Each such clerk shall also file a duplicate copy of such notification with the officials who are required to provide voting tabulators in the clerk’s municipality under section 9-238.

Sec. 9-239. Payment for voting tabulators. The fiscal authority in each municipality shall authorize payment of the bill incurred for the purchase or lease or other method of acquisition of an adequate number of voting tabulators incurred by the officials responsible for providing the same under the provisions of section 9-238.

Sec. 9-240. Provision of voting tabulators and booths. The board of selectmen in each town, unless otherwise provided by law, shall provide or may authorize the registrars to provide a suitable room or rooms and voting tabulator booths for holding all elections. The interior of the booths shall be secure from outside observation. Said board shall provide for each polling place, in accordance with the requirements of section 9-238, one or more voting tabulators in complete working order, and shall preserve and keep them in repair and have the custody of the voting tabulators, and the care and custody of the furniture and equipment of the polling place, when not in use at an election.

Sec. 9-240a. Periodic examination of voting tabulators. Not more than two hundred ten days nor less than thirty days prior to each regular election for state officers, each voting tabulator to be used in the next succeeding regular election, including each additional tabulator required under section 9-238, shall be examined by the company which manufactured the same or its successor or, with the approval of the Secretary of the State, by persons skilled in the mechanics and operation of such tabulator, for the purpose of determining that such tabulator is in sound operable condition for use in such election. Arrangements for such examination shall be made by the officials responsible for providing voting tabulators under section 9-238. The company or person making such examination shall file a report with respect to each tabulator with the Secretary of the State and with such officials, indicating whether or not such tabulator is in sound operable condition. When, as a result of any such examination, a tabulator is found not to be in sound operable condition, such officials shall have such tabulator repaired, or shall provide a voting tabulator in sound operable condition to replace the tabulator found inoperable. The cost for such examination in each town shall be paid by such town. Failure to cause the examination of a voting tabulator, as herein required, shall not, of itself, prevent the use of such tabulator in any election.

Sec. 9-241. Examination and approval of tabulators by Secretary. Subsequent alteration made by voting tabulator companies. Use of hole-punch voting tabulators prohibited. Regulations. Agreement with The University of Connecticut or Connecticut State University System. (a) Any person owning or holding an interest in any voting tabulator, as defined in subsection (w) of section 9-1, may apply to the Secretary of the State to examine such tabulator and report on its accuracy and efficiency. The Secretary of the State shall examine the tabulator and determine whether, in the Secretary’s opinion, the kind of tabulator so examined (1) meets the requirements of section 9-242, (2) can be used at elections, primaries and referenda held pursuant to this title, and (3) complies with applicable standards for electronic voting tabulators. If the Secretary of the State determines that the tabulator can be so used, such tabulator may be adopted for such use. No tabulator not so approved shall be so used. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars and the Secretary of the State shall not approve any tabulator until such fee and the expenses incurred by the Secretary in making the examination have been paid by the person making such application. Any voting tabulator company that has had its voting tabulator approved and that subsequently alters such tabulator in any way shall provide the Secretary of the State with notice of such alterations, including a description thereof and a statement of the purpose of such alterations. If any such alterations appear to materially affect the accuracy, appearance or efficiency of the tabulator, or modify the tabulator so that it can no longer be used at elections, primaries or referenda held pursuant to this title, at the discretion of the Secretary of the State, the company shall submit such alterations for inspection and approval, at its own expense, before such altered tabulators may be used. The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning examination and approval of voting tabulators under this section. No voting tabulator that records votes by means of holes punched in designated voting response locations may be approved or used at any election, primary or referendum held pursuant to this title.

(b) The Secretary of the State may enter into an agreement with The University of Connecticut or a member of the Connecticut State University System to perform or assist in performing the following functions: (1) Any technical review, testing or research associated with the certification of voting equipment, (2) any technical review, testing or research associated with the decertification of voting equipment, (3) the development of standards for the use of voting equipment during any election, primary or referenda, (4) the development of standards to ensure the accuracy of voting equipment, (5) the development of standards and procedures for the security, set-up and storage of voting equipment, (6) the development of standards, procedures and oversight of post-election audits, (7) the development of standards for recanvass procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of any such recanvass, (8) the development of standards and procedures for the testing, security and use of an election management system, (9) the development of standards and procedures for the programming of ballots and voting equipment, (10) research and analysis of data formats for ballot programming and election-related electronic data, and (11) the development of any other standards necessary to protect the integrity of voting equipment.

Sec. 9-242. Voting tabulator and direct recording electronic voting tabulator construction requirements. Attribution of unknown votes for cross-endorsed candidates. (a) A voting tabulator approved by the Secretary of the State shall be so constructed as to provide facilities for voting for the candidates of at least nine different parties or organizations. It shall permit voting in absolute secrecy. It shall be provided with a lock by means of which any illegal movement of the voting or registering mechanism is absolutely prevented. Such tabulator shall be so constructed that an elector cannot vote for a candidate or on a proposition for whom or on which the elector is not lawfully entitled to vote.

(b) It shall be so constructed as to prevent an elector from voting for more than one person for the same office, except when the elector is lawfully entitled to vote for more than one person for that office, and it shall afford the elector an opportunity to vote for only as many persons for that office as the elector is by law entitled to vote for, at the same time preventing the elector from voting for the same person twice. It shall be so constructed that all votes cast will be registered or recorded by the tabulator. In the event that a candidate is cross endorsed and an elector casts more than one vote for such candidate, such vote shall be attributed by the head moderator to the endorsing parties as provided for in this subsection. The head moderator shall (1) determine the percentage of all attributable votes the candidate received that are attributable to each endorsing party, (2) determine the number of ballots upon which an elector voted for the candidate more than once, and (3) apply the percentage determined under subdivision (1) of this subsection for an endorsing party to the total determined under subdivision (2) of this subsection. The resulting number from the calculation under subdivision (3) of this subsection shall be the number of votes the head moderator attributes to the endorsing party associated with the percentage used in the calculation under subdivision (3) of this subsection. The head moderator shall repeat the calculation in subdivision (3) of this subsection for each endorsing party. For any result under subdivision (3) of this subsection that is a fractional number, the head moderator shall round such result to the nearest whole number, provided a half number shall be rounded to the next highest whole number, and provided further that each such endorsing party with a percentage greater than zero under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall receive at least one such vote, with the remaining parties receiving a proportional reduction in votes, if necessary. If any vote remains that can not be evenly attributed to such parties, such vote shall be attributed to the endorsing party with the most votes.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of the State may approve a voting tabulator which requires the elector in the polls to place the elector’s ballot into the recording device and which meets the voluntary performance and test standards for voting systems adopted by (1) the Federal Election Commission on January 25, 1990, as amended from time to time, or (2) the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, P.L. 107-252, 42 USC 15481-85, as amended from time to time, whichever standards are most current at the time of the Secretary of the State’s approval, and regulations which the Secretary of the State may adopt in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, provided the voting tabulator shall (A) warn the elector of overvotes, (B) not record overvotes, and (C) not record more than one vote of an elector for the same person for an office. In the event that a candidate is cross endorsed and an elector casts more than one vote for such candidate, such vote shall be attributed by the head moderator to the endorsing parties as provided for in this subsection. The head moderator shall (i) determine the percentage of all attributable votes the candidate received that are attributable to each endorsing party, (ii) determine the number of ballots upon which an elector voted for the candidate more than once, and (iii) apply the percentage determined under subparagraph (C)(i) of this subsection for an endorsing party to the total determined under subparagraph (C)(ii) of this subsection. The resulting number from the calculation under subparagraph (C)(iii) of this subsection shall be the number of votes the head moderator attributes to the endorsing party associated with the percentage used in the calculation under subparagraph (C)(iii) of this subsection. The head moderator shall repeat the calculation in subparagraph (C)(iii) of this subsection for each endorsing party. For any result under subparagraph (C)(iii) of this subsection that is a fractional number, the head moderator shall round such result to the nearest whole number, provided a half number shall be rounded to the next highest whole number, and provided further that each such endorsing party with a percentage greater than zero under subparagraph (C)(i) of this subsection shall receive at least one such vote, with the remaining parties receiving a proportional reduction in votes, if necessary. If any vote remains that can not be evenly attributed to such parties, such vote shall be attributed to the endorsing party with the most votes.

(d) Any direct recording electronic voting tabulator approved by the Secretary of the State for an election or primary held on or after July 1, 2005, shall be so constructed as to:

(1) (A) Contemporaneously produce an individual, permanent, paper record containing all of the elector’s selections of ballot preferences for candidates and questions or proposals, if any, prior to the elector’s casting a ballot, as set forth in this subsection, and (B) produce at any time after the close of the polls a voting tabulator generated, individual, permanent, paper record of each such elector’s selections of ballot preferences for candidates and questions or proposals, if any. Both the contemporaneously produced paper record and the voting tabulator generated paper record of each elector’s selections of ballot preferences shall include a voting tabulator generated unique identifier that can be matched against each other and which preserves the secrecy of the elector’s ballot as set forth in subdivision (4) of this subsection;

(2) Provide each elector with an opportunity to verify that the contemporaneously produced, individual, permanent, paper record accurately conforms to such elector’s selection of ballot preferences, as reflected on the electronic summary screen, and to hear, if desired, an audio description of such electronic summary screen, for the purpose of having an opportunity to make any corrections or changes prior to casting the ballot. If an elector makes corrections or changes prior to casting the ballot, the voting tabulator shall void such contemporaneously produced paper record, contemporaneously produce another paper record containing such corrections or changes and provide the elector with another opportunity to verify ballot preferences in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. As used in this section, “electronic summary screen” means a screen generated by a direct recording electronic voting tabulator that displays a summary of an elector’s selections of ballot preferences for candidates and questions or proposals, if any, at an election or primary;

(3) Provide that a ballot shall be deemed cast on the voting tabulator at the time that an elector’s contemporaneously produced, individual, permanent, voter-verified paper record, containing all of the elector’s final selections of ballot preferences, is (A) deposited inside a receptacle designed to store all such paper records produced by such voting tabulator on the day of the election or primary, and (B) the elector’s selection of ballot preferences is simultaneously electronically recorded inside the voting tabulator for the purpose of (i) being electronically tabulated immediately after the polls are closed on the day of the election or primary, and (ii) producing, on such other day as required under section 9-242b, a voting tabulator generated, individual, permanent, paper record of each such elector’s selections of ballot preferences for candidates and questions or proposals, if any;

(4) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (1) of section 9-242b, secure the secrecy of each such elector’s ballot by making it impossible for any other individual to identify the elector in relationship to such elector’s selection of ballot preferences at the time that the elector (A) selects ballot preferences; (B) verifies the accuracy of the electronic summary screen by comparing it to the contemporaneously produced, individual, permanent, paper record or the audio description of such electronic summary screen, prior to casting a ballot; (C) makes corrections or changes by reselecting ballot preferences and verifies the accuracy of such preferences in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection prior to casting a ballot; and (D) casts the ballot; and at the time that all electors’ ballots are canvassed, recanvassed or otherwise tallied to produce a final count of the vote for candidates and questions or proposals, if any, whether through the electronic vote tabulation process or through the manual count process of each elector’s contemporaneously produced, individual, permanent, voter-verified paper record, as set forth in section 9-242b; and

(5) (A) Be accessible to blind or visually impaired persons by providing each elector, if desired by the elector, an audio description of the contemporaneously produced individual, permanent, paper record containing all of the elector’s selections of ballot preferences, in addition to an audio description of the electronic summary screen and comply with such additional standards of accessibility included in regulations that the Secretary of the State may adopt in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, on or before June 30, 2007, the Secretary of the State may approve an electronic voting tabulator that does not comply with the provisions of said subparagraph if (i) the Secretary determines that there are no electronic voting tabulators available for purchase or lease at the time of such approval that are capable of complying with said subparagraph (A), (ii) the electronic voting tabulator complies with the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this subsection, and (iii) the person applying to the Secretary for approval of the electronic voting tabulator agrees to include a provision in any contract for the sale or lease of such voting tabulators that requires such person, upon notification by the Secretary that modifications to such tabulators that would bring the tabulators into compliance with said subparagraph (A) are available, to (I) so modify any electronic voting tabulators previously sold or leased under such contract in order to comply with said subparagraph (A), and (II) provide that any electronic voting tabulators sold or leased after receipt of such notice comply with said subparagraph (A). No voting tabulator approved under this subparagraph shall be used on or after July 1, 2007, unless it has been modified to comply with the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.

Sec. 9-242a. Regulations concerning use of voting machines. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, in the event that the Secretary of the State approves for use, in the manner provided by section 9-241, a kind of voting machine not so approved on January 1, 1985, said secretary shall adopt such regulations as may be necessary for the use of such machine, including but not limited to regulations for adjustment of such machine in preparation for voting, process of voting, canvass of votes cast, and certifications.

Sec. 9-242b. Procedures for use of direct recording electronic voting tabulators. The following procedures shall apply to any election or primary in which one or more direct recording electronic voting tabulators are used:

(1) Any elector who requires assistance by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write shall have the right to request assistance inside the voting booth by a person of the elector’s choice in accordance with 42 USC 1973aa-6, as amended from time to time, or section 9-264.

(2) A canvass of the votes shall take place inside the polling place immediately following the close of the polls on the day of the election or primary in accordance with the requirements of chapter 148. With respect to direct recording electronic voting tabulators, any such canvass shall be an electronic vote tabulation of all of the votes cast on each such voting tabulator for each candidate and question or proposal, and the moderator shall attach a printout of such electronic vote tabulation to the tally sheets. The moderator shall then add together all of the votes recorded on each voting tabulator in use at the polling place, whether or not such voting tabulators were direct recording electronic voting tabulators, to produce a cumulative count within the polling place of all candidates and any questions or proposals appearing on the ballot in the election or primary. Any member of the public shall have a right to be present in the polling place to observe the canvass of the votes beginning as soon as the polls are declared closed by the moderator and continuing throughout the canvass of the votes of each voting tabulator until the final canvass of all of the votes cast on all of the voting tabulators in use in the polling place are added together for each candidate and question or proposal and publicly announced and declared by the moderator.

(3) If a recanvass of the votes is required pursuant to chapter 148, the recanvass officials shall, in addition to the other requirements of said chapter, conduct a manual tally of the individual, permanent, voter-verified, paper records contemporaneously produced by each direct recording electronic voting tabulator used within the geographical jurisdiction that is subject to such recanvass. The manual tally conducted for the recanvass shall be limited to the particular candidates and questions or proposals that are subject to recanvass. If the manual tabulation of such contemporaneously produced paper records does not reconcile with the electronic vote tabulation of a particular direct recording electronic voting tabulator or tabulators, such contemporaneously produced paper records shall be considered the true and correct record of each elector’s vote on such electronic voting tabulator or tabulators and shall be used as the official record for purposes of declaring the official election results or for purposes of any subsequent recanvass, tally or election contest conducted pursuant to chapters 148 to 153, inclusive. If any of the contemporaneously produced individual, permanent, voter-verified paper records are found to have been damaged in such manner as they are unable to be manually tallied with respect to the ballot positions that are the subject of the recanvass, each such damaged record shall be matched against the voting tabulator generated, individual, permanent, paper record produced by the voting tabulator bearing the identical tabulator-generated unique identifier as the damaged record and, in such instance, shall be substituted as the official record for purposes of determining the final election results or for purposes of any subsequent recanvass, tally or election contest.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-311, the Secretary of the State may order a discrepancy recanvass under said section of the returns of an election or a primary for a district office, a state office or the office of elector of President and Vice-President of the United States, if the Secretary has reason to believe that discrepancies may have occurred that could affect the outcome of the election or primary. Any such discrepancy recanvass may be conducted of the returns in any or all voting districts in (A) the district in which an election or primary is held, in the case of an election or primary for a district office, or (B) the state, in the case of an election or primary for a state office or the office of elector of President and Vice-President of the United States or a presidential preference primary, whichever is applicable. As used in this subdivision, “district office” and “state office” have the same meanings as provided in section 9-372.

(5) Not later than five business days after each election in which a direct recording electronic voting tabulator is used, the registrars of voters or their designees, representing at least two political parties, shall conduct a manual audit of the votes recorded on at least (A) two direct recording electronic voting tabulators used in each assembly district, or (B) a number of direct recording electronic voting tabulators equal to fifty per cent of the number of voting districts in the municipality, whichever is less. Not later than five business days after a primary in which a direct recording electronic voting tabulator is used, the registrar of voters of the party holding the primary shall conduct such a manual audit by designating two or more individuals, one of whom may be the registrar, representing at least two candidates in the primary. The tabulators audited under this subdivision shall be selected in a random drawing that is announced in advance to the public and is open to the public. All direct recording electronic voting tabulators used within an assembly district shall have an equal chance of being selected for the audit. The Secretary of the State shall determine and publicly announce the method of conducting the random drawing, before the election. The manual audit shall consist of a manual tabulation of the contemporaneously produced, individual, permanent, voter-verified, paper records produced by each voting tabulator subject to the audit and a comparison of such count, with respect to all candidates and any questions or proposals appearing on the ballot, with the electronic vote tabulation reported for such voting tabulator on the day of the election or primary. Such audit shall not be required if a recanvass has been, or will be, conducted on the voting tabulator. Such manual audit shall be noticed in advance and be open to public observation. A reconciliation sheet, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, that reports and compares the manual and electronic vote tabulations of each candidate and question or proposal on each such voting tabulator, along with any discrepancies, shall be prepared by the audit officials, signed and forthwith filed with the town clerk of the municipality and the Secretary of the State. If any contemporaneously produced, individual, permanent, voter-verified, paper record is found to have been damaged, the same procedures described in subdivision (3) of this section for substituting such record with the voting tabulator generated, individual, permanent, paper record produced by the voting tabulator bearing the identical tabulator generated unique identifier as the damaged record shall apply and be utilized by the audit officials to complete the reconciliation. The reconciliation sheet shall be open to public inspection and may be used as prima facie evidence of a discrepancy in any contest arising pursuant to chapter 149. If the audit officials are unable to reconcile the manual count with the electronic vote tabulation and discrepancies, the Secretary of the State shall conduct such further investigation of the voting tabulator malfunction as may be necessary for the purpose of reviewing whether or not to decertify the voting tabulator or tabulators and may order a recanvass in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (4) of this section.

(6) The individual, permanent, voter-verified, paper records contemporaneously produced by any direct recording electronic voting tabulator in use at an election or primary held on or after July 1, 2005, shall be carefully preserved and returned in their designated receptacle in accordance with the requirements of section 9-266 or 9-310, whichever is applicable, and may not be opened or destroyed, except during recanvass or manual audit as set forth in this section, for one hundred eighty days following an election or primary that does not include a federal office, pursuant to section 9-310, or for twenty-two months following an election or primary involving a federal office, pursuant to 42 USC 1974, as amended from time to time.

(7) Nothing in this section shall preclude any candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to chapter 149.

(8) After an election or primary, any voting tabulator may be kept locked for a period longer than that prescribed by sections 9-266, 9-310 and 9-447, if such an extended period is ordered by either a court of competent jurisdiction or the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Either the court or said commission may order an audit of such voting tabulators to be conducted by such persons as the court or said commission may designate.

Sec. 9-242c. Voting Technology Standards Board. Section 9-242c is repealed, effective May 24, 2011.

Sec. 9-243. Mechanics. Instruction and certification by the Secretary of the State. Section 9-243 is repealed, effective May 24, 2011.

Sec. 9-244. Inspection by party watchers, party chairpersons, candidates and officials. (a) Such registrars of voters shall give written notice to the chairpersons of the town committees of the political parties of the day and place a registrar or registrars will begin the preparation, test voting and sealing of the tabulators for the election, including any additional tabulators required under section 9-238. Such notice shall be given at least one day before the work on the preparation of such tabulators begins.

(b) Each such chairperson and any candidate for an office appearing on the ballot may be present, or may designate a watcher who may be present, during the preparation of such tabulators, but such chairpersons, candidates and watchers shall not interfere with, or assist in, the preparation of the tabulators.

(c) After the registrar or registrars have prepared the tabulators, the registrars of voters, or their designees, shall test and seal such tabulators for use in the election. The chairpersons of the town committees of the political parties and any candidate for an office appearing on the ballot may also be present, or may designate a watcher who may be present, during the testing and sealing, but such chairpersons, candidates and watchers shall not interfere with the testing or sealing. All such persons who are present for the testing and sealing of the tabulators shall file a written report, as provided in section 9-245, certifying (1) to the numbers of the tabulators, (2) as to whether all the candidate and question counters are set at zero (000), (3) as to the numbers registered on the protective counters, if provided, and the numbers on the seals, (4) that the ballot is properly prepared, and (5) that the tabulators have been test-voted and found to be working properly.

Sec. 9-245. Filing of reports. The reports of the registrars of voters, provided for under section 9-246, and the report provided for under subsection (c) of section 9-244, shall be filed with the municipal clerk and shall be kept by the municipal clerk for at least sixty days after the election for which the tabulators were so prepared.

Sec. 9-246. Duties of registrars re condition of tabulators. Repairs made on election day. Required reports. (a) The registrar or registrars shall file a written report of the condition of each tabulator certifying that (1) they have prepared the tabulators, (2) all the counters are set at zero (000), (3) the ballot is properly prepared, (4) the tabulator has been properly adjusted according to the ballots, and (5) each tabulator is otherwise in readiness for the election. This report shall include the number of each tabulator and a statement of any defects or features of the tabulator that need attention or correction. The registrar or registrars shall also place upon each of the tabulators a numbered seal, secured in such a way that, before any movement of the registering or voting mechanism can be effected, such seal will be destroyed or broken. All voting tabulators shall be transferred to the polling places in charge of an elector authorized by the registrars of voters under whose direction the voting tabulators are to be prepared, as provided in section 9-240a; and such elector shall certify to their delivery in good order. Additional tabulators required under section 9-238 shall be so located by the registrars of voters as to be available for immediate transfer to the polling places within the municipality. The registrar or registrars shall have custody of the keys of the voting tabulators.

(b) The registrar or registrars shall file a written report detailing any repairs made to a tabulator on the day of an election. This report shall certify (1) the number of the tabulator, (2) the time when the problem occurred, (3) a summary description of the work performed, and (4) that no repairs were made to the tabulator, after any vote was cast on the day of an election, that would affect the manner in which votes were recorded on the tabulator.

Sec. 9-247. Preparation of tabulators. The registrars of voters shall, before the day of the election, cause test ballots to be inserted in each tabulator to ensure that each tabulator is prepared and read and cause each other voting system approved by the Secretary of the State for use in the election, including, but not limited to, voting devices equipped for individuals with disabilities that comply with the provisions of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-25, as amended from time to time, to be put in order in every way and set and adjust the same so that it shall be ready for use in voting when delivered at the polling place. Such registrars of voters shall cause each voting system to be in order and set and adjusted, to be delivered at the polling place, together with all necessary furniture and appliances that go with the same, at the room where the election is to be held, and to be tested and operable not later than one hour prior to the opening of the polling place.

Sec. 9-247a. Candidates, immediate family members and associated business entities prohibited from transporting, preparing, repairing or maintaining voting tabulator. Exception. No candidate, as defined in section 9-601, member of the immediate family, as defined in section 1-79, of a candidate or business entity that a candidate or member of the candidate’s immediate family is an employee, director, officer, owner, limited or general partner or member of in any capacity shall transport, prepare, repair or maintain a voting tabulator. No provision of this section shall prohibit a member of the immediate family of a candidate from serving as a moderator.

Sec. 9-248. Furnishing of supplies. When a voting tabulator is purchased or leased or otherwise provided for use in any municipality, the Secretary of the State shall prepare or approve samples of the following printed matter and supplies and shall furnish one of each to the officials of such municipality who have so provided such tabulator in accordance with the provisions of section 9-238: (1) Directions for testing and preparing the voting tabulators for the election; (2) one certificate on which the registrars of voters can certify that they have properly tested and prepared the tabulator for the election; (3) one certificate on which some person other than the registrars of voters who prepared the tabulator can certify that the tabulator has been examined and found to have been properly prepared for the election; (4) one certificate on which can be certified that party watchers have witnessed the testing and preparing of the tabulators; (5) one certificate that the tabulators have been delivered to polling places in good order; (6) one card for each polling place, stating the penalty for tampering with or injuring a voting tabulator; (7) two seals for sealing the tabulator; and (8) a report of an inspection of the tabulators by the moderator, registrars and checkers, which inspection shall be made before the opening of the polls. The registrars of voters shall, for each election, prepare and furnish said supplies for each voting tabulator, in conformity with said samples. The registrars of voters shall also prepare and furnish to the election officials tally and return blanks in such manner as may be directed by the Secretary of the State, except that all blanks furnished by said Secretary throughout the state shall be uniform in their printing.

Sec. 9-249. Instruction of election officials. (a) Before each election, the registrars of voters and the certified head moderator shall instruct the election officials. Any provision of the general statutes or of any special act to the contrary notwithstanding, election officials shall be appointed at least twenty days before the election except as provided in section 9-229. The registrars of voters and the certified head moderator shall instruct each election official who is to serve in a voting district in which a voting tabulator is to be used in the use of the tabulator and the election official’s duties in connection therewith, and for the purpose of giving such instruction, such instructors shall call such meeting or meetings of the election officials as are necessary. Such instructors shall, without delay, file a report in the office of the municipal clerk and with the Secretary of the State, (1) stating that they have instructed the election officials named in the report and the time and place where such instruction was given, and (2) containing a signed statement from each such election official acknowledging that the official has received such instruction.

(b) The election officials of such voting districts shall attend the elections training program developed under subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 9-192a and any other meeting or meetings as are called for the purpose of receiving such instructions concerning their duties as are necessary for the proper conduct of the election.

(c) Each election official who qualifies for and serves in the election shall be paid not less than one dollar for the time spent in receiving such instruction, in the same manner and at the same time as the official is paid for the official’s services on election day.

(d) No election official shall serve in any election unless the official has received such instruction and is fully qualified to perform the official’s duties in connection with the election, but this shall not prevent the appointment of an election official to fill a vacancy in an emergency.

Sec. 9-249a. Order of parties on ballots. (a) The names of the parties shall be arranged on the ballots in the following order:

(1) The party whose candidate for Governor polled the highest number of votes in the last-preceding election;

(2) Other parties who had candidates for Governor in the last-preceding election, in descending order, according to the number of votes polled for each such candidate;

(3) Minor parties who had no candidate for Governor in the last-preceding election;

(4) Petitioning candidates with party designation whose names are contained in petitions approved pursuant to section 9-453o; and

(5) Petitioning candidates with no party designation whose names are contained in petitions approved pursuant to section 9-453o.

(b) Within each of subdivisions (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of this section, the following rules shall apply in the following order:

(1) Precedence shall be given to the party any of whose candidates seeks an office representing more people than are represented by any office sought by any candidate of any other party;

(2) A party having prior sequence of office as set forth in section 9-251 shall be given precedence; and

(3) Parties shall be listed in alphabetical order.

(c) Within subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of this section, candidates shall be listed according to the provisions of section 9-453r.

Sec. 9-249b. Arrangement of ballots when more than nine party designations and petitioning candidate rows. (a) If, after applying the provisions of sections 9-249a and 9-453r, the number of party designations and petitioning candidate rows on the ballot exceeds nine, the Secretary of the State may authorize (1) two or more party designations and petitioning candidates to appear on the same row of the ballot, beginning with the ninth row on the ballot and, if necessary, then moving up one or more rows, (2) that an office take two or more columns on the ballot, and (3) that the party designation, or an abbreviation of it, be repeated on the ballot.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of section 9-135a to the contrary, the secretary may prescribe that the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the absentee ballot.

Sec. 9-250. Form of ballots. Ballots shall be printed in plain clear type and on material of such size as will fit the tabulator, and shall be furnished by the registrar of voters. The size and style of the type used to print the name of a political party on a ballot shall be identical with the size and style of the type used to print the names of all other political parties appearing on such ballot. The name of each major party candidate for a municipal office, as defined in section 9-372, except for the municipal offices of state senator and state representative, shall appear on the ballot as authorized by each candidate. The name of each major party candidate for a state or district office, as defined in section 9-372, or for the municipal office of state senator or state representative shall appear on the ballot as it appears on the certificate or statement of consent filed under section 9-388, subsection (b) of section 9-391, or section 9-400 or 9-409. The name of each minor party candidate shall appear on the ballot as authorized by each candidate. The name of each nominating petition candidate shall appear on the ballot as it is verified by the town clerk on the application filed under section 9-453b. The size and style of the type used to print the name of a candidate on a ballot shall be identical with the size and style of the type used to print the names of all other candidates appearing on such ballot. Such ballot shall contain the names of the offices and the names of the candidates arranged thereon. The names of the political parties and party designations shall be arranged on the ballots and followed by the word “party”, either in columns or horizontal rows as set forth in section 9-249a, immediately adjacent to the column or row occupied by the candidate or candidates of such political party or organization. The ballot shall be printed in such manner as to indicate how many candidates the elector may vote for each office, provided in the case of a town adopting the provisions of section 9-204a, such ballot shall indicate the maximum number of candidates who may be elected to such office from any party. If two or more candidates are to be elected to the same office for different terms, the term for which each is nominated shall be printed on the official ballot as a part of the title of the office. If, at any election, one candidate is to be elected for a full term and another to fill a vacancy, the official ballot containing the names of the candidates in the foregoing order shall, as a part of the title of the office, designate the term which such candidates are severally nominated to fill. No column, under the name of any political party or independent organization, shall be printed on any official ballot, which contains more candidates for any office than the number for which an elector may vote for that office.

Sec. 9-250a. Blank space where party fails to nominate. When a political party has failed to nominate a candidate for any office for which it is entitled to make such nomination, the space on the ballot in which the name of the party’s candidate would appear shall be left blank.

Sec. 9-251. Order of office on ballots. In the preparation of ballots for use at a state election, precedence shall be given to the offices to be voted for at such election in the following descending order: Presidential electors, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, United States senator, representative in Congress, state senator, state representative, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General and judge of probate. In the preparation of ballots for use at a municipal election, unless otherwise provided by law, the order of the offices shall be as prescribed by the Secretary of the State, which order, so far as practicable, shall be uniform throughout the state.

Sec. 9-252. Transferred to Chapter 146, Part II, Sec. 9-183b.

Sec. 9-253. Order of names of party nominees for multiple-opening office determined by lot. Order when candidate nominated by more than one party. When a major or minor party is entitled to nominate two or more candidates for a particular office, the order of the names of its candidates for such office appearing on the voting machine ballot label shall be determined by the registrars of voters by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public, except as hereinafter provided. When such a candidate is nominated for the same office by more than one party, his name shall appear on each appropriate row on the voting machine ballot label in the same column in which it appears under the foregoing provision in either (1) the party row of the party with which he is enrolled or (2) the first party row on which his name is to appear if such candidate is an unaffiliated elector. The registrars of voters shall provide at least five days’ public notice for each ceremony held under this section. The ballot order of nominating petition candidates for multiple-opening offices shall be as prescribed in section 9-453r.

Sec. 9-254. List of municipal offices to be filled. Each municipal clerk shall, not later than the one hundred eightieth day prior to the day of any regular municipal election, file with the Secretary of the State, on a form approved by said Secretary, a list of the offices to be filled at such election and the terms thereof and the number of candidates for which each elector may vote. Said Secretary shall, within seventy days from the date of receipt of such list, return a copy of such list to the municipal clerk. Each municipal clerk shall, not later than ten days after the receipt of the returned list, mail a copy thereof to the chairman of the town committee of each major political party within the municipality.

Sec. 9-255. Sample ballots. The registrars of voters shall provide for all polling places using voting tabulators at least two sample ballots that shall contain the offices, party designations, names of candidates, write-in slots and questions to be voted upon. On each such sample ballot shall be printed instructions as to the use of the voting tabulator, which instructions shall be approved by the Secretary of the State. Such sample ballots shall be so posted inside the polling place as to be visible to those within the polling place during the whole day of election. At least one of such sample ballots shall be so posted as to be visible to an elector being instructed on the use of the voting tabulator under section 9-260.

Sec. 9-255a. Certification re number of ballots ordered. (a) The registrars of voters and municipal clerk from each municipality shall jointly certify, in writing, to the Secretary of the State the number of ballots for each polling place in the municipality that have been ordered for each election or primary to be held within such municipality. Such certification shall be on a form provided by the Secretary that shall have questions, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to the historical turnout for each polling place in the municipality for the past four elections or primaries of similar nature to the election or primary to be held. The registrars of voters and municipal clerk shall include as part of any such certification any other relevant factors that may be unique to each polling place in their municipality. Such certification shall be provided to the Secretary not later than thirty-one days prior to an election or twenty-one days prior to a primary.

(b) If the registrars of voters and municipal clerk of a municipality do not jointly submit the certification as set forth in subsection (a) of this section, such registrars of voters and municipal clerk shall order a number of ballots equal to the total number of registered voters in their municipality for such election or primary.

(c) The registrars of voters and municipal clerk may jointly apply to the Secretary of the State for a waiver of the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such waiver request shall be submitted to the Secretary of the State, in writing, not later than the forty-fifth day before the election or the thirtieth day before the primary to be held and shall demonstrate good cause for such waiver. Not later than five days after receipt of such waiver request, the Secretary shall notify, in writing, the municipal clerk requesting a waiver, of the Secretary’s response.

(d) The Secretary of the State shall have the authority to reject the certification submitted by a municipality pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. If the Secretary of the State rejects such certification, the Secretary shall provide, in writing, the reasons for such rejection. Such rejection by the Secretary shall require any such municipality to follow the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. If, not later than seven days after the receipt of a certification from a municipality, the Secretary does not notify the municipality that its certification was rejected, such certification shall be deemed accepted.

Sec. 9-256. Filing of sample ballot with Secretary. The registrars of voters of each municipality shall, not less than ten days prior to an election, file with the Secretary of the State a sample ballot identical with those to be provided for each polling place under section 9-255. The Secretary of the State shall examine the sample ballot required to be filed under this section, and if such sample ballot contains an error, the Secretary of the State shall order the registrars of voters to reprint a corrected sample ballot or to take other such action as the Secretary may deem appropriate.

Sec. 9-257. Location of voting tabulator and stationing of officials. The room in which the election is held shall be separated from the part of the room to be occupied by the election officials and the voting tabulator shall be placed, if possible, at least three feet from any wall or partition and at least four feet from the official checkers’ table and the ballot clerks’ table. Every part of the polling place shall be in plain view of the election officials. The tabulator shall be so placed that no person from any part of the room or from any place outside the room can see or determine how the elector casts his or her vote. The election officials shall be so stationed that no member thereof shall be concealed by the tabulator from the electors within the polling place. The moderator or some one designated by the moderator shall be stationed near the tabulator, shall regulate the admission of the elector’s ballots thereto and shall always be in full view of the other election officials and the electors within the polling place.

Sec. 9-258. Election officials; additional lines of electors. (a) For municipalities with more than one voting district, the election officials of each polling place shall be electors of the state and shall consist of (1) one moderator, (2) at least one but not more than two official checkers, (3) two assistant registrars of voters of opposite political parties, each of whom shall be residents of the town, (4) not more than two challengers if the registrars of voters have appointed challengers pursuant to section 9-232, (5) at least one but not more than two ballot clerks, and (6) at least one but not more than two voting tabulator tenders for each voting tabulator in use at the polling place. A known candidate for any office shall not serve as an election official on election day or serve at the polls in any capacity, except that (A) a municipal clerk or a registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, may perform his or her official duties, and (B) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, may perform his or her official duties. If, in the opinion of the registrar of voters, the public convenience of the electors in any voting district so requires, provision shall be made for an additional line or lines of electors at the polling place and, if more than one line of electors is established, at least one but not more than two additional official checkers and at least one but not more than two ballot clerks for each line of electors shall be appointed and, if more than one tabulator is used in a polling place, at least one but not more than two additional voting tabulator tenders shall be appointed for each additional machine so used. Head moderators, central counting moderators and absentee ballot counters appointed pursuant to law shall also be deemed election officials.

(b) For municipalities with one voting district, the election officials of such polling place shall be electors of the state and shall consist of (1) one moderator, (2) at least one but not more than two official checkers, (3) not more than two challengers if the registrars of voters have appointed challengers pursuant to section 9-232, (4) at least one but not more than two voting tabulator tenders for each voting tabulator in use at the polling place, and (5) at least one but not more than two ballot clerks. Additionally, such election officials may consist of two registrars of voters of opposite political parties, or two assistant registrars of voters of opposite political parties, as the case may be, subject to the requirements of sections 9-259and 9-439, provided if the registrars of voters are present in the polling place, they shall appoint at least one designee to be present in their office. A known candidate for any office shall not serve as an election official on election day or serve at the polls in any capacity, except that (A) a municipal clerk or a registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, may perform his or her official duties, and (B) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, may perform his or her official duties. If, in the opinion of the registrar of voters, the public convenience of the electors in any voting district so requires, provision shall be made for an additional line or lines of electors at the polling place and, if more than one line of electors is established, at least one but not more than two additional official checkers for each line of electors shall be appointed and, if more than one tabulator is used in a polling place, at least one but not more than two additional voting tabulator tenders shall be appointed for each additional tabulator so used. Head moderators, central counting moderators and absentee ballot counters appointed pursuant to law shall be deemed to be election officials.

(c) No election official shall perform services for any party or candidate on election day nor appear at any political party headquarters prior to eight o’clock p.m. on election day.

Sec. 9-258a. Two shifts of election officials. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, special acts or its charter, in each municipality the registrars of voters, or assistant registrar of voters, as the case may be may establish, except for unofficial checkers and the moderator, two shifts of election officials for each polling place. In each polling place for which two or more shifts of election officials have been provided in this section or section 9-235, the moderator shall keep a written record of the specific hours and time served at the polls by each election official. In each such polling place, all members of second shifts, including official checkers, assistant registrars and ballot clerks of second shifts, shall be present at the closing of the polls and shall remain until all paperwork has been executed.

Sec. 9-259. Duties of election officials before polls open; moderator’s return certificates. (a) The moderator of the election in each municipality, voting district or ward shall appear at the office of the registrar of voters not later than eight o’clock p.m. of the day before the election and there receive from the registrar of voters the sample ballot, all checklists and other supplies necessary to conduct the election that have not been delivered previously. The moderator shall receive keys for each voting tabulator to be used in the polling place and sign a receipt for such.

(b) On the morning of the election, the election officials shall meet at the room where the election is to be held at least forty-five minutes before the time for opening the polls. The moderator shall then cause the sample ballot and instructions to be posted and everything put in readiness for the commencement of voting at the hour of opening the polls. The moderator and the registrars of voters, or the assistant registrars of voters, as the case may be, shall examine the numbers on the seals of the tabulator.

(c) The moderator’s return which the moderator receives from the registrars of voters for all elections shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State. The moderator and the registrars of voters, or the assistant registrars of voters, as the case may be, before the polls are opened, shall indicate on the return: (1) The delivery of the tabulator; and (2) the numbers on the seals. Additionally, the moderator and the registrars of voters, or the assistant registrars of voters, as the case may be, shall produce a zero tape indicating that the public counter is set at zero (000). The seal on the tabulator shall remain unbroken. If the seal is broken, the registrars of voters shall be notified immediately and the tabulator tape shall be produced. If the tape does not show all zeros, the registrars of voters shall be notified immediately and the tabulator shall not be used.

(d) In addition to the requirements established in subsection (c) of this section, the return shall include a certificate, which shall be filled out after the polls have been closed and which indicates that the tabulator has been locked against voting and remains sealed and that also indicates the number of electors as shown on the public counter along with the number on all the seals. The moderators’ returns shall show the total number of votes cast for each office, the number of votes cast for each candidate and the number of votes for persons not nominated, which shall be certified by the moderator and registrars of voters, or assistant registrars, as the case may be.

Sec. 9-260. Instruction by means of demonstrator device. A demonstrator device shall be provided inside the polling place for the instruction of electors. Any such demonstrator device shall instruct electors on the proper method to cast their vote, including the proper method to cast a write-in vote using the voting equipment located in each polling place. Upon request by any elector who desires instruction after he has entered the polling place and prior to casting his vote, two election officials of different political parties jointly shall instruct such elector on the demonstrator device.

Sec. 9-261. Process of voting. (a) In each primary, election or referendum, when an elector has entered the polling place, the elector shall announce the elector’s street address, if any, and the elector’s name to the official checker or checkers in a tone sufficiently loud and clear as to enable all the election officials present to hear the same. Each elector who registered to vote by mail for the first time on or after January 1, 2003, and has a “mark” next to the elector’s name on the official registry list, as required by section 9-23r, shall present to the official checker or checkers, before the elector votes, either a current and valid photo identification that shows the elector’s name and address or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector. Each other elector shall (1) present to the official checker or checkers the elector’s Social Security card or any other preprinted form of identification which shows the elector’s name and either the elector’s address, signature or photograph, or (2) on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, write the elector’s residential address and date of birth, print the elector’s name and sign a statement under penalty of false statement that the elector is the elector whose name appears on the official checklist. Such form shall clearly state the penalty of false statement. A separate form shall be used for each elector. If the elector presents a preprinted form of identification under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the official checker or checkers shall check the name of such elector on the official checklist, manually on paper or electronically. If the elector completes the form under subdivision (2) of this subsection, the registrar of voters or the assistant registrar of voters, as the case may be, shall examine the information on such form and either instruct the official checker or checkers to check the name of such elector on the official checklist, manually on paper or electronically, or notify the elector that the form is incomplete or inaccurate.

(b) In the event that an elector is present at the polling place but is unable to gain access to the polling place due to a temporary incapacity, the elector may request that the ballot be brought to him or her. The registrars of voters or the assistant registrars of voters, as the case may be, shall take such ballot, along with a privacy sleeve to such elector. The elector shall show identification, in accordance with the provisions of this section. The elector shall forth with mark the ballot in the presence of the election officials in such manner that the election officials shall not know how the ballot is marked. The elector shall place the ballot in the privacy sleeve. The election officials shall mark the elector’s name on the official voter list, manually on paper or electronically, as having voted in person and deliver such ballot and privacy sleeve to the voting tabulator where such ballot shall be placed into the tabulator, by the election official, for counting. The moderator shall record such activity in the moderator’s diary.

(c) In each polling place in which two or more parties are holding primaries in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote, pursuant to section 9-431, an unaffiliated elector shall also announce to the separate table of the official checker or checkers for unaffiliated electors the party in whose primary the elector chooses to vote and the official checker or checkers shall note such party when checking such elector’s name on the checklist of unaffiliated electors, manually on paper or electronically, provided such choice shall not alter the elector’s unaffiliated status.

(d) In each polling place in which two or more parties are holding primaries in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote or in which one party is holding a primary in which unaffiliated electors are authorized to vote for some but not all offices to be contested at the primary, the official checker or checkers shall give to each elector checked manually on paper or electronically, a receipt provided by the registrars of voters, in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, specifying either (1) the party with which the elector is enrolled, if any, or (2) in the case of an unaffiliated elector, the party in whose primary the elector has so chosen to vote, and whether the elector is authorized to vote for only a partial ballot.

(e) If not challenged by anyone lawfully present in the polling place, the elector shall be permitted to pass to the separated area to receive the ballot. The elector shall give any receipt the elector has received to a ballot clerk who shall give the elector a ballot to vote only in the primary of the party specified by the receipt. The elector shall be permitted into the voting booth area, and shall then register his or her vote in secret. Having voted, the elector shall immediately exit the voting booth area and deposit the ballot in the voting tabulator and leave the room. No elector shall remain within the voting booth longer than the time necessary to complete the ballot, and, if the elector refuses to leave such booth after completing the ballot, the elector shall at once be removed by the election officials upon order of the moderator. Not more than one elector at a time shall be permitted to be within the enclosed space which the elector occupies while the elector completes his or her ballot, provided an elector may be accompanied within such enclosed space by one or more children who are fifteen years of age or younger and supervised by the elector, if the elector is the parent or legal guardian of such children. If any elector, after entering the voting booth area, asks for further instruction concerning the manner of voting, the election officials shall give such instructions or directions to the elector; but no election official instructing or assisting an elector, except as provided in section 9-264, shall look at the ballot in such a way as to see the elector’s markings or in any manner seek to influence any such elector in the casting of the elector’s vote.

Sec. 9-261a. Preparation of polling place form of identification by committee prohibited. No committee, as defined in section 9-601, shall prepare any form of identification for the purpose of being presented to the checkers at the polling place pursuant to section 9-261.

Sec. 9-261b. Privacy sleeve. The registrars of voters shall either ensure that each ballot clerk offer every elector a privacy sleeve into which the ballot can be inserted and fully shielded from view or, in the alternative, place such privacy sleeve in every voting booth for the elector’s use. No elector shall be required to accept a privacy sleeve.

Sec. 9-261c. Electronic devices used to check names of electors. The Secretary of the State shall review, in consultation and coordination with The University of Connecticut, electronic devices that could assist official checkers in checking the names of electors pursuant to section 9-234 or any regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter. Not later than September 1, 2015, the Secretary shall include on a list any such device that the Secretary approves and shall make such list available to municipalities in a manner determined by the Secretary. The Secretary may add or remove a device from such list, as the Secretary determines such addition or removal is necessary.

Sec. 9-262. Duties of election officials during voting hours. During the entire period of an election, at least one of the election officials shall be stationed approximately three to four feet from the voting tabulator to regulate the submission of the elector’s ballot. The election officials shall also, at such intervals as such officials deem proper or necessary, examine the voting booth to ascertain whether it has been defaced or damaged and to detect the wrongdoer and repair the damage. After the opening of the polls, no election official shall allow any person other than the election officials to pass within the area where the voting booths and voting tabulator are situated, except for the purpose of voting or except as provided in this part. No election official shall remain or permit any person to remain in any position or near any position that would permit him to see or ascertain how an elector votes.

Sec. 9-263. Use of paper ballots when voting machine damaged. Section 9-263 is repealed, effective October 1, 2007.

Sec. 9-264. Assistance to elector who is blind, has disability or is unable to write or to read the ballot. An elector who requires assistance to vote, by reason of blindness, disability or inability to write or to read the ballot, may be given assistance by a person of the elector’s choice, other than (1) the elector’s employer, (2) an agent of such employer, (3) an officer or agent of the elector’s union, or (4) a candidate for any office on the ballot, unless the elector is a member of the immediate family of such candidate. The person assisting the elector may accompany the elector into the voting booth. Such person shall register such elector’s vote upon the ballot as such elector directs. Any person accompanying an elector into the voting booth who deceives any elector in registering the elector’s vote under this section or seeks to influence any elector while in the act of voting, or who registers any vote for any elector or on any question other than as requested by such elector, or who gives information to any person as to what person or persons such elector voted for, or how such elector voted on any question, shall be guilty of a class D felony. As used in this section, “immediate family” means “immediate family” as defined in section 9-140b.

Sec. 9-265. Write-in votes. (a) A write-in vote for an office, cast for a person who has registered as a write-in candidate for the office pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-175 or section 9-373a, shall be counted and recorded. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a write-in vote cast for a person who has not registered shall not be counted or recorded.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, in the case of an office for which an elector may vote for only one candidate, a write-in vote cast for a person nominated for that office by a major or minor party or by nominating petition shall be counted and recorded. In the case of an office for which an elector may vote for more than one candidate, a write-in vote cast for a person nominated for that office by a major or minor party or by nominating petition shall be counted and recorded if it can be determined which candidate such vote should be attributed to.

(c) A write-in vote for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, cast for a person nominated for either of those offices by a major or minor party or by nominating petition, in conjunction with a write-in vote for the other such office cast for a person nominated for either office by a different party or petition, shall not be counted or recorded for either office.

(d) Except as hereinafter provided, a write-in vote for the office of President or Vice-President cast for a person nominated for such office by a major or minor party or by nominating petition shall be counted and recorded and deemed to be a vote for each of the duly-nominated candidates for the office of presidential elector represented by such candidate for President or Vice-President. A write-in vote for the office of President or Vice-President, cast for a person nominated for either of such offices by a major or minor party or by nominating petition, in conjunction with a write-in vote for the other such office cast for a person nominated for either office by a different party or petition, shall not be counted or recorded for either office.

(e) If the name of a person is written in for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, or President or Vice-President, as the case may be, and no name is written in for the other office, such write-in vote shall be counted and recorded if it meets the other requirements of this section.

(f) A write-in vote shall be cast in its appropriate place on the ballot. A write-in vote for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, or for President and Vice-President, as the case may be, shall be written in a single space, provided that if only one name is written in the space it shall be deemed to be a vote for Governor, or for President, as the case may be, unless otherwise indicated. A write-in vote shall be written upon the ballot.

(g) A write-in vote which is not cast as provided in this section shall not be counted or recorded.

Sec. 9-266. Keys to be kept. Storage of voting tabulator. When the voting tabulator has been locked at the close of an election, the moderator shall return the keys for the tabulator to the registrars of voters with the official returns. Except as provided in section 9-309 or 9-311, such registrars of voters shall securely keep such keys and not permit the same to be taken, or any tabulator to be unlocked, for a period of fourteen days from the election, unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by the State Elections Enforcement Commission. All tabulators shall be collected immediately on the day after election or as soon thereafter as possible, and shall be secured and stored in a place or places directed by the registrars of voters.

Sec. 9-267. Removal of officials. If, at any time during the performance of his or her duties, any moderator, assistant registrar of voters, official checker, ballot clerk or voting tabulator tender is, from any cause, found incompetent, the registrars of voters may remove him or her and appoint another competent person.

Sec. 9-268. Duties of selectmen imposed on other officials. Whenever the duties imposed by this part upon selectmen are imposed by the charter of any municipality upon any other officer or officers, the term “selectmen”, as used herein, shall be construed to apply to such other officer or officers, who shall be vested with all the powers and duties and shall be subject to all the obligations imposed by this chapter upon such selectmen. In any municipality where by charter the duties of selectmen are limited to the admission of electors and are not imposed by charter upon any other officer or officers, the term “selectmen”, as used herein, shall apply to the registrars of voters of such municipality, who shall be vested with all the powers and duties and shall be subject to all the obligations imposed by this part upon such selectmen.

Sec. 9-269. Borough election officials. In the case of a borough election, the duties and privileges of the various town and city officials specified in this part shall be exercised by the corresponding borough officials.

PART II

PAPER BALLOTS

Secs. 9-270 and 9-271. Votes by paper ballots. Referenda by paper ballots. Sections 9-270 and 9-271 are repealed, effective May 24, 2011.

Sec. 9-272. Conditions under which use of voting tabulators may be discontinued. If, owing to the number of candidates to be voted upon, owing to inability to obtain a sufficient number of voting tabulators or, if it is found impracticable to use voting tabulators at any election, primary or referenda to be held in any municipality, or in one or more of the voting districts therein, the registrars of voters may discontinue the use of such tabulators for such election in any of the voting districts therein, and shall thereupon cause ballots to be procured and used at such election, primary or referenda in each of the voting districts wherein the use of voting tabulators has been so discontinued. The procedures for securing and counting the paper ballots described in this section shall be in compliance as nearly as possible, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, with the procedures for securing and counting absentee ballots.

Secs. 9-273 to 9-276. Preparation of ballots. Secretary may prescribe forms. Secret ballot. Form for printing ballots. Sections 9-273 to 9-276, inclusive, are repealed, effective May 24, 2011.

Secs. 9-277 and 9-278. Straight and split ticket sections. Form of straight ticket section. Sections 9-277 and 9-278 are repealed.

Secs. 9-279 to 9-306. Form of ballot. Sample ballots. Insertion on ballot on death of nominee. Ballot to resolve tie vote. Secretary to transmit ballots. Clerks to obtain ballots if not received two days before election. Packaging of ballots, method of opening. Ballot box sealing stamp. Ballot box lock. Clerks to be custodians of keys. Registrars of voters to provide rooms or booths and ballot boxes. Ballot table; process of voting. Arrangement of and admission to voting place. Method of voting. Method of balloting. Deposit of ballots; booth tenders. Improper markings of ballot. Box-tenders. Interference prohibited; assistance of physically disabled persons. Removal of officials. Counters; certificates; declaration of vote. Deposit of certificates. Ballot return by moderators for state elections. Return of ballots to box, sealing and preservation. Destruction of unused official ballots. Fraudulent abstracting or intermingling of votes. Failure of moderator to return keys. Penalties. Sections 9-279 to 9-306, inclusive, are repealed, effective May 24, 2011.

Chapter 148 – Election Canvass and Returns

CHAPTER 148 – ELECTION CANVASS AND RETURNS

Sec. 9-307. Certificate of check lists. Immediately after the polls are closed, the official checker or checkers, appointed under the provisions of section 9-234, shall make and deliver to the moderator a certificate stating the whole number of names on the registry list or enrollment list including, if applicable, unaffiliated electors authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary, and the number checked as having voted in that election or primary. For the purpose of computing the whole number of names on the registry list, the lists of persons who have applied for presidential or overseas ballots prepared in accordance with section 9-158h shall be included. If a paper registry list is used, the registrars or assistant registrars, as the case may be, shall write and sign with ink, on the list or lists so used and checked, a certificate of the whole number of names registered on the list eligible to vote in the election or primary and the number checked as having voted in that election or primary, and deposit it in the office of the municipal clerk not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls. If an electronic version of the registry list is used, the electronic device upon which such list is stored shall be returned to the registrars of voters who shall cause the electronic registry list to be printed. Such printed list shall be signed by each registrar, who shall deposit such list in the office of the municipal clerk not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls. The municipal clerk shall carefully preserve the paper registry list or printed electronic registry list, as applicable, on file, with the marks on it without alteration, for public inspection, and shall immediately enter a certified copy of such certificate on the town records. Subject to the provisions of section 7-109, the municipal clerk may destroy any voting checklist four years after the date upon which it was used. The moderator shall place the certificate which the moderator received from the official checker or checkers in the office of the municipal clerk not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls.

Sec. 9-308. Canvass of returns. Immediately on the close of the polls, the election officials shall proceed to canvass the returns as provided in section 9-309 and shall not stop for any purpose until the canvass is completed, except as provided in said section. The room in which such canvass is made shall be clearly lighted and such canvass shall be made in plain view of the public. No person or persons, during the canvass, shall close or cause to be closed the main entrance to the room in which such canvass is conducted, in such manner as to prevent ingress or egress thereby, but, during such canvass, no person other than the election officials shall be permitted to be in the area where the voting tabulator is located.

Sec. 9-309. Procedure for announcing result. Temporary interruption of canvass after transmission of preliminary totals to Secretary of the State. Security of tabulators and other materials. Upon the close of the polls, the moderator, in the presence of the other election officials, shall immediately lock the voting tabulator against voting and immediately cause the vote totals for all candidates and questions to be produced. The moderator shall, in the order of the offices as their titles are arranged on the ballot, read and announce in distinct tones the result as shown, giving the number indicated and indicating the candidate to whom such total belongs, and shall read the votes recorded for each office on the ballot. The moderator shall also, in the same manner, announce the vote on each constitutional amendment, proposition or other question voted on. The vote so announced by the moderator shall be taken down by each checker and recorded on the tally sheets. Each checker shall record the number of votes received for each candidate on the ballot and also the number received by each person for whom write-in ballots were cast. The moderator shall make a preliminary list from the vote totals produced by the tabulators and shall prepare such preliminary list for transmission to the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-314. After such preliminary list has been transmitted to the Secretary of the State, the canvass may be temporarily interrupted, during which time the moderator shall (1) return the keys for all tabulators to the registrars of voters, (2) seal the tabulators against voting or being tampered with, (3) prepare and seal individual envelopes for all (A) write-in ballots, (B) absentee ballots, (C) moderators’ returns, and (D) other notes, worksheets or written materials used at the election, and (4) store all such tabulators and envelopes in a secure place or places directed by the registrars of voters. At the end of such temporary interruption, the moderator shall receive such keys from the registrars and shall take possession of and break the seal on all such tabulators and envelopes for the purpose of completing the canvass. The result totals shall remain in full public view until the statement of canvass and all other reports have been fully completed and signed by the moderator, checkers and registrars, or assistant registrars, as the case may be. Any other remaining result of the votes cast shall be publicly announced by the moderator not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls. Such public announcement shall consist of reading both the name of each candidate, with the designating number and letter on the ballot and the absentee vote as furnished to the moderator by the absentee ballot counters, and also the vote cast for and against each question submitted. While such announcement is being made, ample opportunity shall be given to any person lawfully present to compare the results so announced with the result totals provided by the tabulator and any necessary corrections shall then and there be made by the moderator, checkers and registrars or assistant registrars, after which the compartments of the voting tabulator shall be closed and locked. In canvassing, recording and announcing the result, the election officials shall be guided by any instructions furnished by the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-310. Sealing of tabulator by moderator. As soon as the count is completed and the moderator’s return required under the provisions of section 9-259 has been executed, the moderator shall place the sealed tabulator in the tabulator bag, and so seal the bag, and the tabulator shall remain so sealed against voting or being tampered with for a period of fourteen days, except as provided in section 9-309 or 9-311 or pursuant to an order issued by the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If it is determined that a recanvass is required pursuant to section 9-311 or 9-311a, immediately upon such determination the tabulators, write-in ballots, absentee ballots, moderators’ returns and all other notes, worksheets or written materials used at the election shall be impounded at the direction of the Secretary of the State. Such package shall be preserved for one hundred eighty days after such election and may be opened and its contents examined in accordance with section 9-311 or upon an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. At the end of one hundred eighty days, unless otherwise ordered by the court, such package and its contents may be destroyed. Except as provided in section 9-309 for moderators temporarily interrupting a canvass, any person who unlocks the voting or operating mechanism of the tabulator or the counting compartment after it has been locked as above directed or breaks or destroys or tampers with the seal after it has been affixed as above directed or changes the indication of the counters on any voting tabulator within fourteen days after the election or within any longer period during which the tabulator is kept locked as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or by the State Elections Enforcement Commission in any special case, except as provided in section 9-311, shall be imprisoned for not more than five years. Any tabulator may be released in less than fourteen days, for use in another election, by order of a court, if there is no disagreement as to the returns from such machine and no order directing impoundment has been issued by the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Sec. 9-311. Recanvass in case of discrepancy. (a) If, within three days after an election, it appears to the moderator that there is a discrepancy in the returns of any voting district, such moderator shall forthwith within said period summon, by written notice delivered personally, the recanvass officials, consisting of at least two checkers of different political parties and at least two absentee ballot counters of different political parties who served at such election, and the registrars of voters of the municipality in which the election was held and such other officials as may be required to conduct such recanvass. Such written notice shall require the clerk or registrars of voters, as the case may be, to bring with them the depository envelopes required by section 9-150a, the package of write-in ballots provided for in section 9-310, the absentee ballot applications, the list of absentee ballot applications, the registry list and the moderators’ returns and shall require such recanvass officials to meet at a specified time not later than the fifth business day after such election to recanvass the returns of a voting tabulator or voting tabulators or absentee ballots or write-in ballots used in such district in such election. If any of such recanvass officials are unavailable at the time of the recanvass, the registrar of voters of the same political party as that of the recanvass official unable to attend shall designate another elector having previous training and experience in the conduct of elections to take his place. Before such recanvass is made, such moderator shall give notice, in writing, to the chairman of the town committee of each political party which nominated candidates for the election, and, in the case of a state election, not later than twenty-four hours after a determination is made regarding the need for a recanvass to the Secretary of the State, of the time and place where such recanvass is to be made; and each such chairman may send representatives to be present at such recanvass. Such representatives may observe, but no one other than a recanvass official may take part in the recanvass. If any irregularity in the recanvass procedure is noted by such a representative, he shall be permitted to present evidence of such irregularity in any contest relating to the election.

(b) The moderator shall determine the place or places where the recanvass shall be conducted and, if such recanvass is held before the tabulators are boxed and collected in the manner required by section 9-266, the moderator may either require that such recanvass of such tabulators be conducted in each place where the tabulators are located, or he may require that they be removed to one central place, where such recanvass shall be conducted. All recanvassing procedures shall be open to public observation. Such recanvass officials shall, in the presence of such moderator and registrars of voters, make a record of the number on the seal and the number on the protective counter, if one is provided, on each voting tabulator specified by such moderator. Such registrars of voters in the presence of such moderator shall turn over the keys of each such tabulator to such recanvass officials, and such recanvass officials, in the presence of such registrars of voters and moderator, shall immediately proceed to recanvass the vote cast thereon, and shall then open the package of absentee ballots and recanvass the vote cast thereon. In the course of the recanvass of the absentee ballot vote the recanvass officials shall check all outer envelopes for absentee ballots against the inner envelopes for such ballots and against the registry list to verify postmarks, addresses and registry list markings and also to determine whether the number of envelopes from which absentee ballots have been removed is the same as the number of persons checked as having voted by absentee ballot. The write-in ballots shall also be recanvassed at this time. All of the recanvass officials shall use the same forms for tallies and returns as were used at the original canvass and the absentee ballot counters shall also sign the tallies.

(c) The votes shall be announced and recorded in the manner prescribed in section 9-309 on return forms provided by the registrars of voters and appended thereto shall be a statement signed by the moderator indicating the time and place of the recanvass and the names, addresses, titles and party affiliations of the recanvass officials. The write-in ballots shall be replaced in a properly secured sealed package. Upon the completion of such recanvass, any tabulator used in such recanvass shall be locked and sealed, the keys thereof shall immediately be returned to such registrars of voters and such tabulator shall remain so locked until the expiration of fourteen days after such election or for such longer period as is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. The absentee ballots shall be replaced in their wrappers and be resealed by the moderator in the presence of the recanvass officials. Upon the completion of such recanvass, such moderator and at least two of the recanvass officials of different political parties shall forthwith prepare and sign such return forms which shall contain a written statement giving the result of such recanvass for each tabulator and each package of absentee ballots whose returns were so recanvassed, setting forth whether or not the original canvass was correctly made and stating whether or not the discrepancy still remains unaccounted for. Such return forms containing such statement shall forthwith be filed by the moderator in the office of such clerk. If such recanvass reveals that the original canvass of returns was not correctly made, such return forms containing such statement so filed with the clerk shall constitute a corrected return. In the case of a state election, a recanvass return shall be made in duplicate on a form prescribed and provided by the Secretary of the State, and the moderator shall file one copy with the Secretary of the State and one copy with the town clerk not later than ten days after the election. Such recanvass return shall be substituted for the original return and shall have the same force and effect as an original return.

(d) As used in this section, (1) “moderator” means, in the case of municipalities not divided into voting districts, the moderator of the election and, in the case of municipalities divided into voting districts, the head moderator of the election, and (2) “registrars of voters”, in a municipality where there are different registrars of voters for different voting districts, means the registrars of voters in the voting district in which, at the last-preceding election, the presiding officer for the purpose of declaring the result of the vote of the whole municipality was moderator.

Sec. 9-311a. Recanvass on close vote. For purposes of this section, state, district and municipal offices shall be as defined in section 9-372 except that the office of presidential elector shall be deemed a state office. Forthwith after a regular or special election for municipal office, or forthwith upon tabulation of the vote for state and district offices by the Secretary of the State, when at any such election the plurality of an elected candidate for an office over the vote for a defeated candidate receiving the next highest number of votes was either (1) less than a vote equivalent to one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the office but not more than two thousand votes, or (2) less than twenty votes, there shall be a recanvass of the returns of the voting tabulator or voting tabulators and absentee ballots used in such election for such office unless such defeated candidate or defeated candidates, as the case may be, for such office file a written statement waiving this right to such canvass with the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office, or with the Secretary of the State in the case of a state or district office. In the case of state and district offices, the Secretary of the State upon tabulation of the votes for such offices shall notify the town clerks in the state or district, as the case may be, of the state and district offices which qualify for an automatic recanvass and shall also notify each candidate for any such office. When a recanvass is to be held the municipal clerk shall promptly notify the moderator, as defined in section 9-311, who shall proceed forthwith to cause a recanvass of such returns of the office in question in the same manner as is provided in said section 9-311. In addition to the notice required under section 9-311, the moderator shall before such recanvass is made give notice in writing of the time when, and place where, such recanvass is to be made to each candidate for a municipal office which qualifies for an automatic recanvass under this section. Nothing in this section shall preclude the right to judicial proceedings on behalf of a candidate under any provision of chapter 149. For the purposes of this section, “the total number of votes cast for the office” means in the case of multiple openings for the same office, the total number of electors checked as having voted in the state, district, municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be. When a recanvass of the returns for an office for which there are multiple openings is required by the provisions of this section, the returns for all candidates for all openings for the office shall be recanvassed. No one other than a recanvass official shall take part in the recanvass. If any irregularity in the recanvass procedure is noted by a candidate, he shall be permitted to present evidence of such irregularity in any contest relating to the election.

Sec. 9-311b. Recanvass on tie vote. If the electors fail to elect a candidate for any office by reason of an equality of votes at any election, there shall be a recanvass of the returns for such office unless, prior to the time of such recanvass, all but one of the candidates so receiving an equal number of votes dies, withdraws his name or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold such office.

Sec. 9-312. Declaration of result; returns to secretary. In each municipality divided into voting districts, unless otherwise provided by law, the head moderator shall be the presiding officer for the purpose of declaring the result of the vote of the whole municipality and of making returns to the Secretary of the State, and the moderators in each of the voting districts shall be assistant presiding officers and shall make returns of their polls as required by law.

Sec. 9-313. Forms for returns. The Secretary of the State shall transmit to the town clerk of each town, before each state election, blank forms for the returns required by this chapter, and such returns shall be made out, certified and directed according to such forms. The Secretary of the State shall cause to be printed in the several blanks, for the use of moderators and counters, such names of candidates for the several offices to be voted for as are certified to him by the chairmen of the state committees of the several political organizations in the state.

Sec. 9-314. Return of preliminary and duplicate lists of votes by moderator. (a) As used in this subsection, “moderator” means the moderator of each state election in each town not divided into voting districts and the head moderator in each town divided into voting districts. The moderator shall make a preliminary list of the votes given for each of the following officers: Presidential electors, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General, United States senator, representative in Congress, state senator, judge of probate, state representative and registrars of voters when said officers are to be chosen, as reported solely by the tabulator, as provided in section 9-309, in the moderator’s town and shall immediately transmit such preliminary list to the Secretary of the State not later than midnight on election day. Once the preliminary list has been transmitted to the Secretary of the State, the moderator shall make a duplicate list of the votes given in the moderator’s town for each of the following officers: Presidential electors, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General, United States senator, representative in Congress, state senator, judge of probate, state representative and registrars of voters when said officers are to be chosen. Such duplicate list shall indicate the total number of names on the official check list of such town and the total number of names checked as having voted. The moderator shall transmit such duplicate list to the Secretary of the State by electronic means as prescribed by the Secretary of the State not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls on election day. The moderator shall also seal and deliver one of such duplicate lists to the Secretary of the State not later than the third day after the election. Any such moderator who fails to so transmit or deliver such duplicate list to the Secretary of the State by the time required shall pay a late filing fee of fifty dollars. The moderator shall also deliver one of such duplicate lists to the clerk of such town. The Secretary of the State shall enter the returns in tabular form in books kept by the Secretary for that purpose and present a printed report of the same, with the name of, and the total number of votes received by, each of the candidates for said offices, to the General Assembly at its next session.

(b) As used in this subsection, “moderator” means the moderator of each municipal election in each town not divided into voting districts, and the head moderator in each town divided into voting districts. The moderator shall make a preliminary list of the votes given for each municipal office elected at such municipal election, as reported solely by the tabulator, as provided in section 9-309, in the moderator’s town and shall immediately transmit such preliminary list to the Secretary of the State not later than midnight on election day. Once the preliminary list has been transmitted to the Secretary of the State, the moderator shall make a duplicate list of the votes given in the moderator’s town for each municipal office elected at such municipal election. Such duplicate list shall indicate the total number of names on the official check list of such town and the total number of names checked as having voted and shall be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State. The moderator shall transmit such duplicate list to the Secretary of the State by electronic means as prescribed by the Secretary of the State not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls on election day. The moderator shall also seal and deliver one of such duplicate lists to the Secretary of the State not later than the third day after the election. Any such moderator who fails to so transmit or deliver such duplicate list to the Secretary of the State by the time required shall pay a late filing fee of fifty dollars. The moderator shall also deliver one of such duplicate lists to the clerk of such town.

Sec. 9-315. Canvass for presidential electors, U.S. senator and members of Congress. The votes returned as cast for a senator in Congress, representatives in Congress and presidential electors shall be publicly counted by the Treasurer, Secretary of the State and Comptroller on the last Wednesday of the month in which they were cast, and such votes shall be counted in conformity to any decision rendered by the judges of the Supreme Court as provided in section 9-323. In accordance with the count so made, they shall, on said day, declare what persons are elected senators in the Congress of the United States or representatives in Congress, and the Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify them by mail of their election; and they shall declare the proper number of persons having the greatest number of votes to be presidential electors and, in case of an equal vote for said electors, shall determine by lot from the persons having such equal number of votes the persons appointed, and the Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify them by mail of their appointment.

Sec. 9-316. Canvass in vacancy election of U.S. senator or representative. The Treasurer, Secretary of the State and Comptroller shall, within thirty days after a vacancy election for a senator in Congress or representative in Congress, subject to the provisions of section 9-323, publicly count the votes returned, and declare what person is elected, and the Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify him by mail of his election. The Secretary of the State shall enter the returns in tabular form in books kept by him for that purpose and present a copy of the same, with the name of, and the total number of votes received by, each of the candidates for said office, to the Governor within ten days thereafter.

Sec. 9-317. Certification of election of U.S. senator. When any senator in Congress has been elected, the Governor shall certify his election under the seal of the state to the President of the Senate of the United States, which certificate shall be countersigned by the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-318. Canvass of votes for state officers. The votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General shall be canvassed by the persons authorized to receive and count the same, within thirty days next after they were cast, unless a complaint under the provisions of section 9-324 is pending, in which case such canvass shall not be made until after the third Monday of December next after they were cast. In making such canvass, the votes upon the returns made by presiding officers shall be counted in conformity to the decision of the judge of the Superior Court or of the Supreme Court, as the case may be, and such canvass shall be in conformity to such decision, and a fair list of such votes made to conform to the original returns of the presiding officers, as corrected or affected by the finding or decision of such judge, with the original returns of the presiding officers and certified copies of the decision of such judge, shall, on the first day of the session, be laid before the General Assembly, which shall declare who are elected to said offices respectively.

Sec. 9-319. Canvass of votes for state senators and representatives and judges of probate. The votes for state senators, state representatives and judges of probate, as returned by the moderators, shall be canvassed, during the month in which they are cast, by the Treasurer, Secretary of the State and Comptroller, and they shall declare, except in case of a tie vote, who is elected senator in each senatorial district, representative in each assembly district and judge of probate in each probate district. The Secretary of the State shall, within three days after such declaration, give notice by mail to each person chosen state senator, state representative or judge of probate of his election.

Sec. 9-320. Returns of municipal elections by clerks. Elected town clerk who is registrar of vital statistics ex officio. (a) The clerk of each municipality shall, within ten days after the municipal election, return to the Secretary of the State a statement of the name, post-office address and term of each person elected to office in such election. If an elected town clerk is registrar of vital statistics, ex officio, such return shall so indicate. Each municipal clerk neglecting to make such return shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars.

(b) The Secretary of the State shall keep a record of the names of the registrars of vital statistics and town clerks so returned. The secretary may certify that the persons named in such record are the registrars of vital statistics or the town clerks, as the case may be, of their respective towns for the period for which they were respectively elected.

Secs. 9-320a to 9-320e. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 9-320f. Manual or electronic audit of votes by registrar of voters or town clerk. Offices subject to audit. University of Connecticut analysis. Discrepancy recanvass. Voting tabulator failure to record votes. Secretary of the State investigation and report. Regulations. Definitions. (a) Not earlier than the fifteenth day after any election or primary and not later than two business days before the canvass of votes by the Secretary of the State, Treasurer and Comptroller, for any federal or state election or primary, or by the town clerk for any municipal election or primary, the registrars of voters shall conduct a manual audit or, for an election or primary held on or after January 1, 2016, an electronic audit authorized under section 9-320g of the votes recorded in not less than five per cent of the voting districts in the state, district or municipality, whichever is applicable. Such manual or electronic audit shall be noticed in advance and be open to public observation. Any election official who participates in the administration and conduct of an audit pursuant to this section shall be compensated by the municipality at the standard rate of pay established by such municipality for elections or primaries, as the case may be.

(b) The voting districts subject to an audit described in subsection (a) of this section shall be selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of the State and such selection process shall be open to the public. The offices subject to an audit pursuant to this section shall be, (1) in the case of an election where the office of presidential elector is on the ballot, all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional office selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of the State, but in no case less than three offices, (2) in the case of an election where the office of Governor is on the ballot, all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional office selected in a random drawing by the Secretary of the State, but in no case less than three offices, (3) in the case of a municipal election, three offices or twenty per cent of the number of offices on the ballot, whichever is greater, selected at random by the municipal clerk, and (4) in the case of a primary election, all offices required to be audited by federal law, plus one additional office, if any, but in no event less than twenty per cent of the offices on the ballot, selected in a random drawing by the municipal clerk.

(c) If a selected voting district has an office that is subject to recanvass or an election or primary contest pursuant to the general statutes, the Secretary shall select an alternative district, pursuant to the process described in subsection (b) of this section.

(d) The manual or electronic audit described in subsection (a) of this section shall consist of the manual or electronic tabulation of the paper ballots cast and counted by each voting tabulator subject to such audit. Once complete, the vote totals established pursuant to such manual or electronic tabulation shall be compared to the results reported by the voting tabulator on the day of the election or primary. The results of such manual or electronic tabulation shall be reported on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State which shall include the total number of ballots counted, the total votes received by each candidate in question, the total votes received by each candidate in question on ballots that were properly completed by each voter and the total votes received by each candidate in question on ballots that were not properly completed by each voter. Such report shall be filed with the Secretary of the State who shall immediately forward such report to The University of Connecticut for analysis. The University of Connecticut shall file a written report with the Secretary of the State regarding such analysis that describes any discrepancies identified. After receipt of such report, the Secretary of the State shall file such report with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

(e) For the purposes of this section, a ballot that has not been properly completed will be deemed to be a ballot on which (1) votes have been marked by the voter outside the vote targets, (2) votes have been marked by the voter using a manual marking device that cannot be read by the voting tabulator, or (3) in the judgment of the registrars of voters, the voter marked the ballot in such a manner that the voting tabulator may not have read the marks as votes cast.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-311, the Secretary of the State shall order a discrepancy recanvass of the returns of an election or primary for any office if a discrepancy, as defined in subsection (o) of this section, exists where the margin of victory in the race for such office is less than the amount of the discrepancy multiplied by the total number of voting districts where such race appeared on the ballot, provided in a year in which the Secretary of the State is a candidate for an office on the ballot and that office is subject to an audit as provided by this section, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall order a discrepancy recanvass if a discrepancy, as defined by subsection (o) of this section, has occurred that could affect the outcome of the election or primary for such office.

(g) If The University of Connecticut report described in subsection (d) of this section indicates that a voting tabulator failed to record votes accurately and in the manner provided by the general statutes, the Secretary of the State shall require that the voting tabulator be examined and recertified by the Secretary of the State, or the Secretary’s designee. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary of the State from requiring that a voting tabulator be examined and recertified.

(h) The audit report filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be open to public inspection and may be used as prima facie evidence of a discrepancy in any contest arising pursuant to chapter 149 or for any other cause of action arising from such election or primary.

(i) If the audit officials are unable to reconcile the manual or electronic count from an audit described in subsection (a) of this section with the electronic vote tabulation and discrepancies from the election or primary, the Secretary of the State shall conduct such further investigation of the voting tabulator malfunction as may be necessary for the purpose of reviewing whether or not to decertify the voting tabulator or tabulators in question or to order the voting tabulator to be examined and recertified pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. Any report produced by the Secretary of the State as a result of such investigation shall be filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission and the commission may initiate such further investigation in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-7b as may be required to determine if any violations of the general statutes concerning election law have been committed.

(j) The individual paper ballots used at an election or primary shall be carefully preserved and returned in their designated receptacle in accordance with the requirements of section 9-266 or 9-310, whichever is applicable.

(k) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude any candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to chapter 149.

(l) After an election or primary, any voting tabulator may be kept locked for a period longer than that prescribed by sections 9-266, 9-310 and 9-447, if such an extended period is ordered by either a court of competent jurisdiction, the Secretary of the State or the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Either the court or the Secretary of the State may order an audit of such voting tabulator to be conducted by such persons as the court or the Secretary of the State may designate, provided the State Elections Enforcement Commission may order such an audit under the circumstances prescribed in subsection (f) of this section. If the machine utilized in such election or primary is an optical scan voting system, such order to lock such machine shall include the tabulator, memory card and all other components and processes utilized in the programming of such machine.

(m) The Secretary of the State may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, as may be necessary for the conduct of the manual or electronic tabulation of the paper ballots described in subsection (a) of this section and to establish guidelines for expanded audits when there are differences between the manual or electronic counts from the audit described in subsection (a) of this section and tabulator counts from the election or primary.

(n) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Secretary of the State shall have access to the code in any voting machine whenever any problem is discovered as a result of an audit described in subsection (a) of this section.

(o) As used in this section, “discrepancy” means any difference in vote totals between tabulator counts from an election or primary and manual or electronic counts from an audit described in subsection (a) of this section in a voting district that exceeds one-half of one per cent of the lesser amount of the vote totals between such tabulator counts and such manual or electronic counts where such differences cannot be resolved through an accounting of ballots that were not marked properly in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, “state election” means “state election”, as defined in section 9-1, “municipal election” means a municipal election held pursuant to section 9-164, “manual” means by hand and without the assistance of electronic equipment and “electronic” means through the use of equipment described in section 9-320g.

Sec. 9-320g. Authorization of electronic equipment by Secretary of the State for conduct of an audit. Notwithstanding any provision of this title, the Secretary of the State, in consultation and coordination with The University of Connecticut, may authorize the use of electronic equipment for the purpose of conducting any audit required pursuant to section 9-320f for any primary or general election held on or after January 1, 2016, provided (1) the Secretary of the State prescribes specifications for (A) the testing, set-up and operation of such equipment, and (B) the training of election officials in the use of such equipment; and (2) the Secretary of the State and The University of Connecticut agree that such equipment is sufficient in quantity to accommodate the total number of audits to be conducted. Nothing in this section shall preclude any candidate or elector from seeking additional remedies pursuant to chapter 149 as a result of any information revealed by such process.

Sec. 9-321. Return by moderator of election of town clerk and registrar of vital statistics. Section 9-321 is repealed.

Sec. 9-322. Failure of moderator to make returns. Each moderator of an election who neglects to make any return required by law shall be fined twenty dollars.

Sec. 9-322a. Correction of errors in returns. Clerk to file listing of returns. Certification of lists. (a) Not later than forty-eight hours following each regular election, the registrars of voters shall provide the results of the votes cast at such election to the town clerk. Not later than nine o’clock a.m. on the third day following each regular election, the head moderator, registrars of voters and town clerk for each town divided into voting districts shall meet to identify any error in the returns. Not later than one o’clock p.m. on the third day following each regular election, the head moderator shall correct any error identified and file an amended return with the Secretary of the State, the town clerk and the registrars of voters.

(b) Not later than twenty-one days following each regular state election, the town clerk of each town divided into voting districts shall file with the Secretary of the State a consolidated listing, in tabular format, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State, of the official returns of each such voting district for all offices voted on at such election, including the total number of votes cast for each candidate, the total number of names on the registry list, and the total number of names checked as having voted, in each such district. The town clerk of such town shall certify that he or she has examined the lists transmitted under this section to determine whether there are any discrepancies between the total number of votes cast for a candidate at such election in such town, including for any recanvass conducted pursuant to section 9-311 or 9-311a, and the sum of the votes cast for the same candidate in all voting districts in such town. In the case of any such discrepancy, the town clerk shall notify the head moderator and certify that such discrepancy has been rectified. Each listing filed under this section shall be retained by the Secretary of the State not less than ten years after the date of the election for which it was filed.

Sec. 9-322b. Candidate elected to two or more offices in a municipality and prohibited from holding more than one office. Determination of officeholder. Notwithstanding the provisions of this title, if a candidate is elected to two or more offices in a municipality at the same election and is prohibited by any provision of the general statutes, a charter or an ordinance from holding more than one such office, the candidate shall notify the registrars of voters and the municipal clerk of the office to which the candidate declines election, and the candidate for such office who receives the next highest number of votes at such election shall be deemed to have been elected to such office.

Chapter 149 – Elections and Primaries: Contested

CHAPTER 149 – ELECTIONS AND PRIMARIES: CONTESTED

Sec. 9-323. Contests and complaints in election of presidential electors, U.S. senator and representative. Any elector or candidate who claims that he is aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with any election for presidential electors and for a senator in Congress and for representative in Congress or any of them, held in his town, or that there was a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such election for candidates for such electors, senator in Congress and representative in Congress, or any of them, at any voting district in his town, or any candidate for such an office who claims that he is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election, may bring his complaint to any judge of the Supreme Court, in which he shall set out the claimed errors of such election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of said sections. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall file a certification attached to the complaint indicating that a copy of the complaint has been sent by first-class mail or delivered to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to the election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after the election or, if such complaint is brought in response to the manual tabulation of paper ballots authorized pursuant to section 9-320f, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days after the close of any such manual tabulation, and in either such circumstance, the judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five or less than three days from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three or more than five days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, to the Secretary of the State, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge, with two other judges of the Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief Court Administrator, shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, such judges may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judges shall thereupon, in the case they, or any two of them, find any error in the rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count of such votes or any violation of said sections, certify the result of their finding or decision, or the finding or decision of a majority of them, to the Secretary of the State before the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. Such judges may order a new election or a change in the existing election schedule, provided such order complies with Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act, P.L. 107-252, as amended from time to time. Such certificate of such judges, or a majority of them, shall be final upon all questions relating to the rulings of such election officials, to the correctness of such count and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers so as to conform to such finding or decision.

Sec. 9-324. Contests and complaints in election of state officers and judges of probate. Any elector or candidate who claims that such elector or candidate is aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with any election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, Attorney General, State Comptroller or judge of probate, held in such elector’s or candidate’s town, or that there has been a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such election for candidates for said offices or any of them, at any voting district in such elector’s or candidate’s town, or any candidate for such an office who claims that such candidate is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election or any candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, Attorney General or State Comptroller, who claims that such candidate is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, may bring such elector’s or candidate’s complaint to any judge of the Superior Court, in which such elector or candidate shall set out the claimed errors of such election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of said sections. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such election, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to the election, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after the election or, if such complaint is brought in response to the manual tabulation of paper ballots authorized pursuant to section 9-320f, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days after the close of any such manual tabulation and, in either such circumstance, such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, such judge may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon, in case such judge finds any error in the rulings of the election official, any mistake in the count of the votes or any violation of said sections, certify the result of such judge’s finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the fifteenth day of the next succeeding December. Such judge may order a new election or a change in the existing election schedule. Such certificate of such judge of such judge’s finding or decision shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the rulings of such election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to conform to such finding or decision, unless the same is appealed from as provided in section 9-325.

Sec. 9-325. Appeals and reservations of law to be taken to Supreme Court. If, upon any such hearing by a judge of the Superior Court, any question of law is raised which any party to the complaint claims should be reviewed by the Supreme Court, such judge, instead of filing the certificate of his finding or decision with the Secretary of the State, shall transmit the same, including therein such questions of law, together with a proper finding of facts, to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who shall thereupon call a special session of said court for the purpose of an immediate hearing upon the questions of law so certified. A copy of the finding and decision so certified by the judge of the Superior Court, together with the decision of the Supreme Court, on the questions of law therein certified, shall be attested by the clerk of the Supreme Court, and by him transmitted to the Secretary of the State forthwith. The finding and decision of the judge of the Superior Court, together with the decision of the Supreme Court on the questions of law thus certified, shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the rulings of the election officials and to the correctness of such count and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers so as to conform to such decision of said court. Nothing in this section shall be considered as prohibiting an appeal to the Supreme Court from a final judgment of the Superior Court. The judges of the Supreme Court may establish rules of procedure for the speedy and inexpensive hearing of such appeals within fifteen days of such judgment of a judge of the Superior Court.

Sec. 9-326. Contest in election of sheriff or judge of probate. Section 9-326 is repealed.

Sec. 9-327. Bond of complainant. The complainant in any complaint or proceeding under sections 9-323, 9-324, 9-328 or 9-329a, shall give a good and sufficient bond for prosecution for the payment of costs, and the judge or judges hearing such application shall make such order regarding the payment of the costs in such action as may be equitable and may render judgment and issue execution therefor.

Sec. 9-328. Contests and complaints in election of municipal officers and nomination of justices of the peace. Any elector or candidate claiming to have been aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with an election for any municipal office or a primary for justice of the peace, or any elector or candidate claiming that there has been a mistake in the count of votes cast for any such office at such election or primary, or any candidate in such an election or primary claiming that he is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such election or primary, may bring a complaint to any judge of the Superior Court for relief therefrom. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the complaint by first-class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such election or primary, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to such election or primary, it shall be brought not later than fourteen days after such election or primary, except that if such complaint is brought in response to the manual tabulation of paper ballots, authorized pursuant to section 9-320f, such complaint shall be brought not later than seven days after the close of any such manual tabulation, to any judge of the Superior Court, in which he shall set out the claimed errors of the election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of said sections. Such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be had upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five nor less than three days from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three nor more than five days to be given to any candidate or candidates whose election or nomination may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, he may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon, if he finds any error in the rulings of the election official or any mistake in the count of the votes, certify the result of his finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the tenth day succeeding the conclusion of the hearing. Such judge may order a new election or primary or a change in the existing election schedule. Such certificate of such judge of his finding or decision shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the ruling of such election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to conform to such finding or decision, except that this section shall not affect the right of appeal to the Supreme Court and it shall not prevent such judge from reserving such questions of law for the advice of the Supreme Court as provided in section 9-325. Such judge may, if necessary, issue his writ of mandamus, requiring the adverse party and those under him to deliver to the complainant the appurtenances of such office, and shall cause his finding and decree to be entered on the records of the Superior Court in the proper judicial district.

Sec. 9-329. Appeal to Supreme Court. Section 9-329 is repealed.

Sec. 9-329a. (Formerly Sec. 9-449). Contests and complaints in connection with any primary. (a) Any (1) elector or candidate aggrieved by a ruling of an election official in connection with any primary held pursuant to (A) section 9-423, 9-425 or 9-464, or (B) a special act, (2) elector or candidate who alleges that there has been a mistake in the count of the votes cast at such primary, or (3) candidate in such a primary who alleges that he is aggrieved by a violation of any provision of sections 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at such primary, may bring his complaint to any judge of the Superior Court for appropriate action. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall file a certification attached to the complaint indicating that a copy of the complaint has been sent by first-class mail or delivered to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such primary such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to such primary it shall be brought, not later than fourteen days after such primary, or if such complaint is brought in response to the manual tabulation of paper ballots, described in section 9-320f, such complaint shall be brought, not later than seven days after the close of any such manual tabulation, to any judge of the Superior Court.

(b) Such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be held upon such complaint upon a day not more than five nor less than three days after the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three days to be given to any candidate or candidates in any way directly affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, to the Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other person or persons, whom such judge deems proper parties thereto, of the time and place of the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing, and without delay, proceed to hear the parties and determine the result. If, after hearing, sufficient reason is shown, such judge may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judge shall thereupon, if he finds any error in the ruling of the election official, any mistake in the count of the votes or any violation of said sections, certify the result of his finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the tenth day following the conclusion of the hearing. Such judge may (1) determine the result of such primary; (2) order a change in the existing primary schedule; or (3) order a new primary if he finds that but for the error in the ruling of the election official, any mistake in the count of the votes or any violation of said sections, the result of such primary might have been different and he is unable to determine the result of such primary.

(c) The certification by the judge of his finding or decision shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the ruling of such election official, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such alleged violations, and shall operate to correct any returns or certificates filed by the election officials, unless the same is appealed from as provided in section 9-325. In the event a new primary is held pursuant to such Superior Court order, the result of such new primary shall be final and conclusive unless a complaint is brought pursuant to this section. The clerk of the court shall forthwith transmit a copy of such findings and order to the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-329b. Removal of candidate’s name from ballot. At any time prior to a primary held pursuant to sections 9-423, 9-425 and 9-464, or a special act or prior to any election, the Superior Court may issue an order removing a candidate from a ballot where it is shown that said candidate is improperly on the ballot.

Sec. 9-330. Examination and testing of tabulators. Any judge having jurisdiction over any action brought under section 9-323, 9-324, 9-328 or 9-329a shall have the power, if sufficient reason is shown, to order the examination and testing of any voting tabulators.

Sec. 9-331. Tie vote for or vacancy in office of sheriff. Section 9-331 is repealed, effective December 1, 2000.

Sec. 9-332. Adjourned election in tie vote. Withdrawal of candidate. If the electors fail to choose a candidate for any office by reason of an equality of votes at any election, and no provision is otherwise made by law for the election of a candidate to such office, such election shall stand adjourned for three weeks at the same hour at which the first election was held. Ballots of the same form and description as described in sections 9-250 to 9-256, inclusive, except that such ballots shall contain only the names of the candidates for whom the same are to be voted, shall be used in the election on such adjourned day, and the election shall be conducted in the same manner as on the first day, except that the votes shall be cast for such officer only. Ballots for such election shall be provided forthwith by the clerk of the municipality wherein such election stands adjourned, and such clerk shall furnish the Secretary of the State with an accurate list of all candidates to be voted for at such adjourned election. The clerk of the municipality wherein such election so stands adjourned shall, at least three days prior to the day of such adjourned election, give notice of the day, hours, place and purpose thereof by publishing such notice in a newspaper published in such municipality or having a circulation therein. No such election shall be held if prior to such election all but one of the candidates for such office die, withdraw their names or for any reason become disqualified to hold such office, and, in such event, the remaining candidate shall be deemed to be lawfully elected to such office. No withdrawal shall be valid until the candidate who has withdrawn has filed a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate with the Secretary of the State or, in the case of a municipal office, until the candidate who has withdrawn has filed a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate with the municipal clerk. When such an election is required to be held under the provisions of this section for any office other than a municipal office, and prior to such election all but one of the candidates for such office die, withdraw their names or for any reason become disqualified to hold such office, the Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify the clerk of each municipality wherein such election was to have been held of such fact, and shall forthwith direct each such clerk that such election shall not be held. In the case of a multiple opening office only the names of those candidates whose votes are equal shall be placed on the ballot of the adjourned election.

Chapter 151 – Elections: Prohibited Acts and Penalties

CHAPTER 151 – ELECTIONS: PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES

Sec. 9-349. Unlawful sessions of board for admission. Section 9-349 is repealed.

Sec. 9-350. Failure to warn election. Any person whose duty it is to warn any election and who fails to warn such election as required by law shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

Sec. 9-351. Delay in counting or declaring vote. Any moderator of any election or voting district who, wilfully and without cause, delays the counting or declaration of the number of votes cast shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned not less than six months nor more than one year.

Sec. 9-352. Tampering with tabulator by election official. Any election official who, with intent to cause or permit any voting tabulator to fail to correctly register all votes cast thereon, tampers with or disarranges such tabulator in any way or any part or appliance thereof, or causes such tabulator to be used or consents to its being used for voting at any election with knowledge of the fact that the same is not in order, or not perfectly set and adjusted to correctly register all votes cast thereon, or who, for the purpose of defrauding or deceiving any elector or of causing it to be doubtful for what candidate or candidates or proposition any vote is cast, or causing it to appear upon such tabulator that votes cast for one candidate or proposition were cast for another candidate or proposition, removes, changes or mutilates any ballot shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-353. False statement, certificate or return. Any election official who, at the close of the polls, purposely causes the vote registered on the tabulator to be incorrectly taken down as to any candidate or proposition voted on, or who knowingly causes to be made or signed any false statement, certificate or return of any kind, of such vote, or who knowingly consents to any such act, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-354. Improper printing of ballot. Any person who prints or causes to be printed upon any official ballot the name of any person not a candidate of a party whose name is printed at the head of the column containing such nominees or who prints or causes to be printed any authorized ballot in any manner other than that prescribed by the Secretary of the State shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-355. Official neglect or fraud. Any person who, without reasonable cause, neglects to perform any of the duties required of him by the laws relating to elections or primaries and for which neglect no other punishment is provided, and any person who is guilty of fraud in the performance of any such duty, and any person who makes any unlawful alteration in any list required by law, shall be fined not more than three hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned. Any official who is convicted of fraud in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by any law relating to the registration or admission of electors or to the conduct of any election shall be disfranchised. Any public officer or any election official upon whom any duty is imposed by part I of chapter 147 and sections 9-308 to 9-311, inclusive, who wilfully omits or neglects to perform any such duty or does any act prohibited therein for which punishment is not otherwise provided shall be guilty of a class E felony.

Sec. 9-356. Neglect to elect grand jurors. Section 9-356 is repealed.

Sec. 9-357. Fraudulent registration. Any person who fraudulently procures himself or another to be registered as an elector shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned.

Sec. 9-358. False swearing before registrar, moderator, board or State Elections Enforcement Commission. Any person who, upon oath or affirmation, legally administered, wilfully and corruptly testifies or affirms, before any registrar of voters, any moderator of any election, primary or referendum, any board for admission of electors or the State Elections Enforcement Commission, falsely, to any material fact concerning the identity, age, residence or other qualifications of any person whose right to be registered or admitted as an elector or to vote at any election, primary or referendum is being passed upon and decided, shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be disfranchised.

Sec. 9-359. Absentee ballots. Any (1) person who executes an absentee ballot for the purpose of informing any other person how he votes, or procures any absentee ballot to be prepared for such purpose, (2) municipal clerk or moderator, elector appointed to count any absentee ballot or other person who wilfully attempts to ascertain how any elector marked his absentee ballot or how it was cast, (3) person who unlawfully opens or fills out, except as provided in section 9-140a with respect to a person unable to write, any elector’s absentee ballot signed in blank, (4) person designated under section 9-140a who executes an absentee ballot contrary to the elector’s wishes, or (5) person who wilfully violates any provision of chapter 145, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-359a. False statement in absentee balloting. Class D felony. (a) A person is guilty of false statement in absentee balloting when he intentionally makes a false written statement in or on or signs the name of another person to the application for an absentee ballot or the inner envelope accompanying any such ballot, which he does not believe to be true and which statement or signature is intended to mislead a public servant in the performance of his official function.

(b) False statement in absentee balloting is a class D felony.

Sec. 9-360. Fraudulent voting. Any person not legally qualified who fraudulently votes in any town meeting, primary, election or referendum in which the person is not qualified to vote, and any legally qualified person who, at such meeting, primary, election or referendum, fraudulently votes more than once at the same meeting, primary, election or referendum, shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars and shall be imprisoned not less than one year or more than two years and shall be disfranchised. Any person who votes or attempts to vote at any election, primary, referendum or town meeting by assuming the name of another legally qualified person shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be disfranchised.

Sec. 9-361. Primary or enrollment violations. The following persons shall be guilty of primary or enrollment violations: (1) Any person unlawfully voting or participating or attempting to vote or participate in any primary in which he is not eligible to vote or participate; (2) in towns divided into voting districts, any elector who registers or votes at any primary in a voting district other than the district in which such elector is legally entitled to vote at the time of such primary; (3) any elector who signs the name of another to a written application to register, without the knowledge and consent of the person whose name is signed thereto, or who falsely represents the contents of any written or printed form of application for enrollment with intent to secure the application of an elector for enrollment upon a list other than that of his true political preference; (4) any registrar or deputy registrar of voters who fails to hold sessions as provided in sections 9-51 and 9-53 or who fails to register an elector upon the oral or written application for enrollment of such elector, except as provided by law, or who fails to erase an elector’s name as provided in section 9-59 or who registers any elector upon an enrollment list other than that declared by such elector in his application as his political preference, or who removes or erases the name of any elector from any enrollment list except as provided by law; (5) any person who fails to properly serve any notice or citation required by sections 9-60 and 9-61 when directed so to do by any registrar or deputy registrar, or who makes any false return as to any such notice or citation; and (6) any moderator of a primary of the enrolled electors of a specified party, such primary being legally called for the nomination of candidates for any public elective office, who fails to comply with the requirements of chapter 153. The penalty for any such violation shall be a class D misdemeanor, except that any person found to have violated subdivision (1) or (2) of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be disfranchised.

Sec. 9-362. Decision of election officials no bar to prosecution. The decision of the board for admission of electors or of the registrars or of a moderator, as to a person’s right to be admitted to the elector’s oath, to registration or to cast his vote, shall, in no case, be a bar to a criminal prosecution for procuring himself to be made an elector or to be registered or for voting, without the qualifications required by law.

Sec. 9-363. Circulation of misleading instructions. Any person who, with intent to defraud any elector of his or her vote or cause any elector to lose his or her vote or any part thereof, gives in any way, or prints, writes or circulates, or causes to be written, printed or circulated, any improper, false, misleading or incorrect instructions or advice or suggestions as to the manner of voting on any tabulator, the following of which or any part of which would cause any elector to lose his or her vote or any part thereof, or would cause any elector to fail in whole or in part to register or record the same on the tabulator for the candidates of his or her choice, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-364. Influencing elector to refrain from voting. Any person who, with intent to disenfranchise any elector, influences or attempts to influence by force or threat, bribery or corrupt, fraudulent or deliberately deceitful means any elector to stay away from any election shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-364a. (Formerly Sec. 9-344). Acts prohibited in elections, primaries, referenda, caucuses and conventions. Penalties. Any person who influences or attempts to influence by force or threat the vote, or by force, threat, bribery or corrupt means, the speech, of any person in a primary, caucus, referendum convention or election; or wilfully and fraudulently suppresses or destroys any vote or ballot properly given or cast or, in counting such votes or ballots, wilfully miscounts or misrepresents the number thereof; and any presiding or other officer of a primary, caucus or convention who wilfully announces the result of a ballot or vote of such primary, caucus or convention, untruly and wrongfully, shall be guilty of a class C felony.

Sec. 9-364b. Restrictions on incumbents’ use of public funds. Section 9-364b is repealed.

Sec. 9-365. Employers’ threats. Any person who (1) during the period that is sixty days or less prior to any election, municipal meeting, school district election or school district meeting, attempts to influence the vote of any operative in his or her employ by threats of withholding employment from him or her or by promises of employment, or (2) dismisses any operative from his or her employment on account of any vote he or she has given at any such election or meeting shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-366. Interference with electors in voting. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any elector to write, paste or otherwise place, on a ballot, or a table or booth used for voting, any name, sign or device of any kind, as a distinguishing mark by which to indicate to another how such elector voted, or enters into or attempts to form any agreement or conspiracy with any person to induce or attempt to induce electors or any elector to so place any distinguishing mark on such ballot, table or booth, or attempts to induce any elector to do anything with a view to enabling another person to see or know for what persons or any of them such elector votes, or enters into or attempts to form any agreement or conspiracy to induce any elector to do any act for the purpose of enabling another person or persons to see or know for what person or persons such elector votes, or attempts to induce any person to place himself or herself in such position, or to do any other act for the purpose of enabling him or her to see or know for what candidates any elector other than himself or herself votes, or himself or herself attempts to get in such position to do any act so that he or she will be enabled to see or know how any elector other than himself or herself votes, or does any act which invades or interferes with the secrecy of the voting or causes the same to be invaded or interfered with, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec. 9-367. Tampering with ballot or voting tabulator. Any person, not being an election official, who, with intent to cause or permit any ballot, voting tabulator or other appliance used in connection with such tabulator to fail to correctly register any vote cast upon such ballot, tabulator or other appliance, during any election or before any election, tampers with a voting tabulator, disarranges, defaces, injures or impairs the same in any manner, or mutilates, injures or destroys any ballot or any other appliance used in connection with such tabulator, shall be guilty of a class C felony.

Sec. 9-368. Arrest of accused. Upon the written complaint of any three electors of a town in which a violation of any law relating to elections has occurred to any judge of the superior court for the judicial district within which the offense has been committed, supported by oath or affirmation that the complainants have good reason to believe and do believe that the allegations therein contained are true and can be proved, such judge shall issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused.

Secs. 9-368a and 9-368b. Transferred to Chapter 141, Secs. 9-7a and 9-7b, respectively.

Sec. 9-368c. Misrepresentation of contents of a petition. (a) No person shall intentionally misrepresent the contents of a petition circulated under title 9.

(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Chapter 152 – Referenda

CHAPTER 152 – REFERENDA

Sec. 9-369. Procedure for holding referendum. Whenever at any regular or special state or municipal election any vote for approval or disapproval of any constitutional amendment or any question or proposal is taken pursuant to the Constitution, the general statutes or any special act, unless otherwise provided, such election shall be warned and held, the vote on such amendment, question or proposal cast and canvassed and the result determined and certified as nearly as may be in accordance with the provisions governing the election of officers in the state or in such municipality. The warning for such election shall state that a purpose of such election is to vote for the approval or disapproval of such amendment, question or proposal and shall state the section of the Constitution or of the general statutes or the special act under authority of which such vote is taken. The vote on such amendment, question or proposal shall be taken by a “Yes” and “No” vote on the voting tabulator, and the designation of such amendment, question or proposal on the ballot shall be “Shall (here insert the question or proposal, followed by a question mark)”. Such ballot shall be provided for use in accordance with the provisions of section 9-250. The municipal clerk shall number on the ballot the questions to be voted upon according to the order in which they will appear thereon, provided amendments to the Constitution shall be numbered by the Secretary of the State in numerical order based upon the dates on which resolutions proposing such amendments were passed, precedence being given to the earliest passed unless otherwise provided by the resolutions proposing such amendments. Each elector shall vote “Yes” if in favor of the amendment, question or proposal or “No” if not in favor thereof. If, upon the official determination of the result of such vote, it appears that a majority of all the votes so cast are in approval of such amendment, question or proposal, such amendment, question or proposal shall, unless otherwise provided, take effect forthwith.

Sec. 9-369a. Submission of local questions at election. Whenever by law it is provided that a question may be submitted to a vote of the electors of a municipality at an election, as that term is defined in section 9-1:

(a) The electors of the municipality entitled to vote by absentee ballot at the election under the provisions of section 9-135 shall be entitled to vote upon any such question.

(b) When the clerk of the municipality determines that the necessary action has been taken for submission of the question, he shall, at least forty-five days prior to the election, file in the office of the Secretary of the State a statement setting forth the designation of the question as it is to appear on the ballot at the election, the date upon which the submitting action was taken and the reference to the law under which the action was taken. Such designation shall be in the form of a question, as provided in section 9-369. Whenever it is specifically provided in the general statutes that any such question may be approved for such submission within the period of forty-five days prior to such an election, and action is taken to submit a question within such period, the clerk of the municipality shall file the statement required by this subsection with the Secretary of the State immediately upon the taking of such action.

(c) When action is taken for submission of a question, from the time of such action through the day of the election, the clerk of the municipality shall make the full text of the question and the designation which is to appear upon the ballot available for public inspection. If the designation is not prescribed by law, the clerk shall phrase the designation of the question in a form suitable for printing on the ballot. The warning of the election shall include a statement that the question is to be voted upon, the designation of the question to appear on the ballot, and a statement that the full text of the question is available for public inspection in the clerk’s office.

(d) The moderator or head moderator of the election shall file the results of the vote on each such question and the returns of the election with the Secretary of the State in the manner prescribed under the provisions of section 9-314 or other applicable law.

Sec. 9-369b. Local questions and proposals. Preparation, printing and dissemination of explanatory texts and other materials. Use of community notification systems. Expenditure of state and municipal funds to influence vote prohibited; exceptions. Civil penalty. Summaries of arguments for, against local questions. (a)(1)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, any municipality may, by vote of its legislative body, authorize the preparation, printing and dissemination of concise explanatory texts or other printed material with respect to local proposals or questions approved for submission to the electors of a municipality at a referendum. For the purposes of this section, in a municipality that has a town meeting as its legislative body, the board of selectmen shall be deemed to be the legislative body of such municipality.

(B) Each such explanatory text shall be prepared by the municipal clerk and shall specify the intent and purpose of each such proposal or question. Such explanatory text shall not advocate either the approval or disapproval of the proposal or question. The municipal clerk shall cause such question or proposal and such explanatory text to be printed in sufficient supply for public dissemination and shall also provide for the printing of such explanations of proposals or questions on posters of a size to be determined by said clerk. At least three such posters shall be posted at each polling place at which electors will be voting on such proposals or questions. Any posters printed in excess of the number required by this section to be posted may be displayed by said clerk at the clerk’s discretion at locations which are frequented by the public. The explanatory text shall also be furnished to each absentee ballot applicant pursuant to subsection (d) of section 9-140. Each such explanatory text shall be subject to the approval of the municipal attorney.

(C) Any such other printed material shall be prepared by the person or persons so authorized by the legislative body, shall not advocate either the approval or disapproval of the proposal or question and shall be subject to the approval of the municipal attorney.

(2) (A) For any referendum called for by a regional school district, the regional school board of education shall authorize the preparation, printing and dissemination of concise explanatory texts or other printed material with respect to proposals or questions approved for submission to the electors of the municipalities included in such regional school district at a referendum. For any such referendum, only the regional school board of education shall make any such authorization.

(B) Each such explanatory text shall be prepared by the regional school board of education and shall specify the intent of each such proposal or question. Such explanatory text shall not advocate either the approval or disapproval of the proposal or question. The regional school board of education’s secretary shall undertake any other duty of a municipal clerk, as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection. Each such explanatory text shall be subject to the approval of the regional school board of education’s attorney.

(C) Any such other printed material shall be prepared by the person or persons so authorized by the regional school board of education, shall not advocate either the approval or disapproval of the proposal or question and shall be subject to the approval of the regional school board of education’s attorney.

(3) (A) For purposes of this subdivision, “community notification system” means a communication system maintained by a municipality that is available to all residents of such municipality and permits any resident to opt to receive notifications of community events or news from such municipality via electronic mail, text, telephone or other electronic or automated means.

(B) At the direction of the chief elected official of a municipality or, with respect to a referendum called for by a regional school district, the request of the chairperson of the regional school board of education having jurisdiction over such municipality included in such regional school district, a municipality that maintains a community notification system may use such system to send or publish a notice informing all residents enrolled in such system of an upcoming referendum. Such notice shall be limited to (i) the time and location of such referendum, (ii) a statement of the question as it is to appear on the ballot at the referendum, and (iii) if applicable, the explanatory text or other material approved in accordance with subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection. Any such notice shall not advocate the approval or disapproval of the proposal or question or attempt to influence or aid the success or defeat of the referendum.

(C) Other than a notice authorized by this subdivision, no person may use or authorize the use of municipal funds to send an unsolicited communication to a group of residents regarding a referendum via electronic mail, text, telephone or other electronic or automated means for the purpose of reminding or encouraging such residents to vote in a referendum, provided such prohibition shall not apply to a regularly published newsletter or similar publication.

(D) An Internet web site maintained by a municipality or a regional school district shall not be deemed a community notification system for the purposes of this subdivision, but may contain a notice with the information described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision.

(4) Except as specifically authorized in this section, no expenditure of state or municipal funds shall be made to influence any person to vote for approval or disapproval of any such proposal or question or to otherwise influence or aid the success or defeat of any such referendum. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to a written, printed or typed summary of any official’s views on a proposal or question, which is prepared for any news medium or which is not distributed with public funds to a member of the public except upon request of such member. For purposes of this section, the maintenance of a third-party comment posted on social media or on an Internet web site maintained by the state, a municipality or a regional school district permitting such third-party comments shall not constitute an expenditure of state or municipal funds.

(b) The State Elections Enforcement Commission, after providing an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with chapter 54, may impose a civil penalty on any person who violates this section by authorizing an expenditure of state or municipal funds for a purpose which is prohibited by this section. The amount of any such civil penalty shall not exceed twice the amount of the improper expenditure or one thousand dollars, whichever is greater. In the case of failure to pay any such penalty imposed under this subsection within thirty days of written notice sent by certified or registered mail to such person, the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, on application of the commission, may issue an order requiring such person to pay the penalty imposed. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 5-141d, 7-101a and 7-465, any other provision of the general statutes, and any provision of any special act or charter, no state or municipal officer or employee shall be indemnified or reimbursed by the state or a municipality for a civil penalty imposed under this subsection.

(c) Any municipality may provide, by ordinance, for the preparation, printing and dissemination of concise summaries of arguments in favor of, and arguments opposed to, local proposals or questions approved for submission to the electors of a municipality at a referendum for which explanatory texts are prepared under subsection (a) of this section. Any such ordinance shall provide for the establishment or designation of a committee to prepare such summaries, in accordance with procedures set forth in said ordinance. The members of said committee shall be representatives of various viewpoints concerning such local proposals or questions. The committee shall provide an opportunity for public comment on such summaries to the extent practicable. Such summaries shall be approved by vote of the legislative body of the municipality, or any other municipal body designated by the ordinance, and shall be posted and distributed in the same manner as explanatory texts under subsection (a) of this section. Each summary shall contain language clearly stating that the printing of the summary does not constitute an endorsement by or represent the official position of the municipality.

Sec. 9-369c. Absentee ballots for referendum voting. (a) Whenever a referendum, as defined in subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (n) of section 9-1, is to be held on any question or proposal, the question or proposal shall be submitted to the municipal clerk in the form in which it will appear on the ballot at least three weeks prior to the date on which the referendum is to be held, and the municipal clerk shall make absentee ballots available for use at the referendum in accordance with the provisions of this section, provided, if any other provision of the general statutes, a special act, a charter provision or an ordinance specifically authorizes a referendum to be held with less than three weeks’ notice, absentee ballots shall be made available for each such referendum within four business days after the question or questions which are to be voted on at the referendum are finalized. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, a municipal clerk may only provide an absentee ballot for such referendum held with less than three weeks’ notice to a person who applies in person at the office of the municipal clerk for an absentee ballot (1) for himself or (2) for a prospective applicant who designates such person for such purpose. The designee may be a licensed physician, registered or practical nurse or any other person who is caring for the applicant because of the applicant’s illness, a member of the applicant’s family or a police officer, registrar of voters or deputy registrar of voters in the municipality in which the applicant resides. The designee may also return the ballot in person to the municipal clerk not later than the close of the polls.

(b) At any such referendum, any person who would be eligible to vote on the question or proposal if he appeared in person and is unable to appear in person for one or more of the reasons set forth in section 9-135, may cast his vote by absentee ballot, in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(c) Upon receipt of the written form of the question or proposal to be voted on at any such referendum, the municipal clerk shall immediately prepare and print absentee ballots for the referendum. The phrasing of the question or proposal on the absentee ballots shall be identical to the phrasing on the ballot to be used for voting in person at the referendum. Prior to printing the ballots, the registrars of voters of the municipality may provide comments concerning the content and form of such ballots to the clerk.

(d) Upon notification by the municipal clerk that such a referendum will be held, the Secretary of the State shall furnish to such clerk the forms and materials described in section 9-139a in the amount requested by the clerk.

(e) Any person who is eligible to vote by absentee ballot as provided in this section may apply in person or by mail to the municipal clerk for an absentee ballot. Application shall be made on a form furnished by the Secretary of the State, as provided in subsection (d) of this section. Upon receipt of an application or upon the nineteenth day before the date of the referendum, whichever is later, the municipal clerk shall give to the applicant or mail, as the case may be, the absentee ballot and the envelopes furnished by the Secretary of the State. No absentee ballot shall be issued after the opening of the polls at the referendum, except as provided in section 9-150c.

(f) The procedures for issuing, returning, casting and counting absentee ballots, declaring the count and packaging the ballots at elections, shall apply, as nearly as may be, to absentee ballots at referenda.

Sec. 9-369d. Submission of local question to voters who are not electors. Vote by electors and voters held in conjunction with an election. (a) Whenever by law a question may be submitted to voters who are not electors of a municipality, the municipality may submit the question to a vote by electors and voters held in conjunction with an election. Except as otherwise provided, the general statutes shall apply to such vote.

(b) (1) The procedures set forth in this subsection shall only apply if a municipality so chooses and only upon approval of such procedure by its legislative body or in any town in which the legislative body is a town meeting, by the board of selectmen.

(2) Voters who are not electors shall vote by separate voting tabulator or paper ballot, containing solely the question, at one separate location which may be a separate room in the location at which electors vote. Such separate location shall be treated as a separate voting district and polling place for such voters, except that the registrars of voters shall appoint a moderator who shall be the head moderator for the purpose of this question only, and such other officials as the registrars deem necessary. The moderator of such separate location shall add the results of the vote by electors on the question to the results of the vote by voters who are not electors, and shall file such results in the office of the municipal clerk. The moderator of such separate location shall be the moderator for the purposes of a recanvass of a close vote on such question under section 9-370a. The head moderator of the town shall indicate on the return of vote of such question filed with the Secretary of the State that such return does not include the return of vote of voters who are not electors.

(c) Voters who are not electors and who are entitled by law to vote by absentee ballot shall be entitled to vote by separate absentee ballot containing solely such question. Such absentee ballot shall be issued beginning on the thirty-first day before the election, or, if such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, beginning on the next preceding day.

(d) The warning of the election shall include the location where voters who are not electors may vote.

Sec. 9-370. Submission of local questions at elections. Any provision of any special act to the contrary notwithstanding, no local question approved for submission to the electors of a municipality within the period of sixty days prior to an election as defined in section 9-1 may be voted upon at such election unless otherwise specifically provided by the general statutes.

Sec. 9-370a. Recanvass on close question vote. In the case of an election or referendum wherein the difference between the “Yes” and “No” vote on a question was less than one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the question but not more than two thousand votes, the moderator shall proceed forthwith to cause a recanvass of such returns to be made as nearly as may be in the manner provided in section 9-311. In the case of a regional school district referendum where there is a tabulation of the vote as a whole, the moderators in the district shall proceed forthwith to cause such recanvass to be made upon such tabulation.

Sec. 9-371. Report of referendum result to secretary. Whenever any town, city or borough has conducted a referendum in accordance with the provisions of any special act, or on the question of the acceptance of such act, or on the question of the adoption of any home rule charter or charter revision or amendment thereto, the clerk of such municipality shall, within fifteen days, notify the Secretary of the State, in writing, of the result of such referendum.

Sec. 9-371a. Nonbinding referendum re selection of legislative body. Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes or any public act, special act or charter, a municipality may conduct a nonbinding referendum for the purpose of soliciting elector input concerning the manner and method of selecting the members of its legislative body.

Sec. 9-371b. Rulings by election officials re referendum. Complaints to Superior Court. Time limitation. Notice to Secretary of the State and State Elections Enforcement Commission. Hearing. Orders. Any person (1) claiming to have been aggrieved by any ruling of any election official in connection with a referendum, (2) claiming that there has been a mistake in the count of votes cast for a referendum, or (3) claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of any provision of section 9-355, 9-357 to 9-361, inclusive, 9-364, 9-364a or 9-365 in the casting of absentee ballots at a referendum, may bring a complaint to any judge of the Superior Court for relief from such ruling, mistake or violation. In any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this section, the complainant shall send a copy of the complaint by first class mail, or deliver a copy of the complaint by hand, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made prior to such referendum, such judge shall proceed expeditiously to render judgment on the complaint and shall cause notice of the hearing to be given to the Secretary of the State and the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If such complaint is made subsequent to such referendum, it shall be brought within thirty days after such referendum to any judge of the Superior Court, in which the person shall set out the claimed errors of the election official, the claimed errors in the count or the claimed violations of said sections. Such judge shall forthwith order a hearing to be held upon such complaint, upon a day not more than five or less than three days from the making of such order, and shall cause notice of not less than three or more than five days to be given to any person who may be affected by the decision upon such hearing, to such election official, the Secretary of the State, the State Elections Enforcement Commission and to any other party or parties whom such judge deems proper parties to the hearing, of the time and place for the hearing upon such complaint. Such judge shall, on the day fixed for such hearing and without unnecessary delay, proceed to hear the parties. If sufficient reason is shown, such judge may order any voting tabulators to be unlocked or any ballot boxes to be opened and a recount of the votes cast, including absentee ballots, to be made. Such judge shall, if such judge finds any error in the rulings of the election official or any mistake in the count of the votes, certify the result of such judge’s finding or decision to the Secretary of the State before the tenth day succeeding the conclusion of the hearing. Such judge may order a new referendum or a change in the existing referendum schedule. Such certificate of such judge’s finding or decision shall be final and conclusive upon all questions relating to errors in the ruling of such election officials, to the correctness of such count, and, for the purposes of this section only, such claimed violations, and shall operate to correct the returns of the moderators or presiding officers, so as to conform to such finding or decision, except that this section shall not affect the right of appeal to the Supreme Court and it shall not prevent such judge from reserving such questions of law for the advice of the Supreme Court as provided in section 9-325. Such judge may, if necessary, issue a writ of mandamus, requiring the adverse party and those under such judge to deliver to the complainant the appurtenances of such office, and shall cause such judge’s finding and decree to be entered on the records of the Superior Court in the proper judicial district.

Chapter 153 – Nominations and Political Parties

CHAPTER 153 – NOMINATIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES

PART I

GENERAL

Sec. 9-372. Definitions. The following terms, as used in this chapter, chapter 157 and sections 9-51 to 9-67, inclusive, 9-169e, 9-217, 9-236 and 9-361, shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Caucus” means any meeting, at a designated hour and place, or at designated hours and places, of the enrolled members of a political party within a municipality or political subdivision thereof for the purpose of selecting party-endorsed candidates for a primary to be held by such party or for the purpose of transacting other business of such party;

(2) “Convention” means a meeting of delegates of a political party held for the purpose of designating the candidate or candidates to be endorsed by such party in a primary of such party for state or district office or for the purpose of transacting other business of such party;

(3) “District” means any geographic portion of the state which crosses the boundary or boundaries between two or more towns;

(4) “District office” means an elective office for which only the electors in a district, as defined in subdivision (3) of this section, may vote;

(5) “Major party” means (A) a political party or organization whose candidate for Governor at the last-preceding election for Governor received, under the designation of that political party or organization, at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor, or (B) a political party having, at the last-preceding election for Governor, a number of enrolled members on the active registry list equal to at least twenty per cent of the total number of enrolled members of all political parties on the active registry list in the state;

(6) “Minor party” means a political party or organization which is not a major party and whose candidate for the office in question received at the last-preceding regular election for such office, under the designation of that political party or organization, at least one per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for such office at such election;

(7) “Municipal office” means an elective office for which only the electors of a single town, city, borough, or political subdivision, as defined in subdivision (10) of this section, may vote, including the office of justice of the peace;

(8) “Party designation committee” means an organization, composed of at least twenty-five members who are electors, which has, on or after November 4, 1981, reserved a party designation with the Secretary of the State pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

(9) “Party-endorsed candidate” means (A) in the case of a candidate for state or district office, a person endorsed by the convention of a political party as a candidate in a primary to be held by such party, and (B) in the case of a candidate for municipal office or for member of a town committee, a person endorsed by the town committee, caucus or convention, as the case may be, of a political party as a candidate in a primary to be held by such party;

(10) “Political subdivision” means any voting district or combination of voting districts constituting a part of a municipality;

(11) “Primary” means a meeting of the enrolled members of a political party and, when applicable under section 9-431, unaffiliated electors, held during consecutive hours at which such members or electors may, without assembling at the same hour, vote by secret ballot for candidates for nomination to office or for town committee members;

(12) “Registrar” means the registrar of voters in a municipality who is enrolled with the political party holding a primary and, in each municipality where there are different registrars for different voting districts, means the registrar so enrolled in the voting district in which, at the last-preceding regular election, the presiding officer for the purpose of declaring the result of the vote of the whole municipality was moderator;

(13) “Slate” means a group of candidates for nomination by a political party to the office of justice of the peace of a town, which group numbers at least a bare majority of the number of justices of the peace to be nominated by such party for such town;

(14) “State office” means any office for which all the electors of the state may vote and includes the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney General and senator in Congress, but does not include the office of elector of President and Vice-President of the United States;

(15) “Votes cast for the same office at the last-preceding election” or “votes cast for all candidates for such office at the last-preceding election” means, in the case of multiple openings for the same office, the total number of electors checked as having voted at the last-preceding election at which such office appeared on the ballot.

Sec. 9-373. Nominations to public office. All nominees for state, district and municipal office, all members of town committees and all delegates to conventions, shall be chosen as provided in this chapter.

Sec. 9-373a. Registration of write-in candidates. Any person desiring to be a write-in candidate for any state, district or municipal office to be filled at any regular election shall register his candidacy with the Secretary of the State on a form prescribed by the Secretary. The registration shall include the candidate’s name and address, the designation and term of the office sought, a statement of consent to the candidacy, and any other information which the Secretary deems necessary. In the case of a write-in candidacy for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the registration shall include a candidate for each of those offices, or shall be void. The registration shall not include a designation of any political party. The registration shall be filed with the Secretary not more than ninety days prior to the election at which the office is to be filled and not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day preceding the election, or the registration shall be void. No person nominated for an office by a major or minor party or by nominating petition shall register as a write-in candidate for that office under the provisions of this section, and any registration of a write-in candidacy filed by such a person shall be void. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, any person desiring to be a write-in candidate for the municipal office of town meeting member in any town having a representative town meeting which has seventy-five or more members shall register his candidacy with the town clerk of such town not later than the last business day preceding such election. A person may register as a write-in candidate for a district or municipal office if such person’s name appears on the last-completed registry list of the district or municipality represented by such office, as the case may be. A person may register as a write-in candidate for a state office if such person’s name appears on the last-completed registry list of the state.

Sec. 9-373b. Cross endorsement of a candidate. A candidate for an office appearing on a ballot for a state election, as defined in section 9-1, may appear on the ballot as a candidate for more than one major or minor party, as defined in section 9-372, for the same office, provided a candidate of such minor party for the office of Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller or Attorney General received at least fifteen thousand votes at the previous state election for any such office.

Sec. 9-374. Party rules to be filed. No authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof having jurisdiction over the conduct of any primary shall permit the name of a party-endorsed candidate for an office or position to be printed on the official ballot to be used at any such primary unless a copy of the party rules regulating such party and its method of selecting party-endorsed candidates for nomination to such office or for election as town committee members, as the case may be, has been filed in the office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before such candidate is selected under such method of endorsement. The selection of delegates to conventions shall not be valid unless at least one copy of the party rules regulating the manner of making such selection has been filed in the office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before such selection is made. A duplicate copy of such rules shall also be filed with the state central committee of such party. A copy of the local party rules, relating to a party in a municipality, shall be filed forthwith by the town chairman or the secretary of the town committee of such party in such municipality with the Secretary of the State. The state party rules shall be filed by the state chairman or the secretary of the state central committee of such party. In the case of a minor party, no authority of the state or any subdivision thereof having jurisdiction over the conduct of any election shall permit the name of a candidate of such party for any office to be printed on the official ballot unless at least one copy of the party rules regulating the manner of nominating a candidate for such office has been filed in the office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before the nomination of such candidate. In the case of a minor party, the selection of town committee members and delegates to conventions shall not be valid unless at least one copy of the party rules regulating the manner of making such selection has been filed in the office of the Secretary of the State at least sixty days before such selection is made. A copy of local party rules shall forthwith be also filed with the town clerk of the municipality to which they relate. Party rules shall not be effective until sixty days after the filing of the same with the Secretary of the State. A party in any municipality for which local party rules with respect to any office or position have not been filed as provided in this section shall, as to such office or position, be subject to the provisions of the effective state rules of such party applicable in municipalities which do not have local party rules, until such time as local party rules therefor are filed and become effective as provided in this section. The town chairman of a party in any municipality for which local party rules have not been adopted and filed as provided in this section shall forthwith file a statement with the Secretary of the State to the effect that such party in such municipality does not have local party rules. The term “party rules” as used in this section includes any amendment to such party rules. When any amendment is to be filed as required by this section, complete party rules incorporating such amendment shall be filed, together with a separate copy of such amendment.

Sec. 9-375. Amendment of party rules. The local party rules, governing a political party in any municipality, may be amended by one of the three following methods: (1) By a caucus of its enrolled party members, (2) by a convention of delegates chosen by its enrolled party members in a manner prescribed in such rules or (3) by its town committee. Whenever, in any municipality, the method of amending the local party rules of a party is by the town committee, such rules may also be amended either by a caucus of its enrolled party members or by a convention of delegates chosen by its enrolled party members in a manner prescribed in such rules, whichever such rules specify, which caucus or convention, as the case may be, shall forthwith be called by the chairman of its town committee upon the filing with the registrar of voters of such party in such municipality of a petition signed by at least five per cent or five hundred, whichever is less, of its enrolled party members in such municipality, and such caucus or convention, as the case may be, shall be held within a period of time reasonably necessary to convene the same, which period of time shall be prescribed in its rules. Whenever the method of amendment prescribed in accordance with the provisions of this section for a party in any municipality consists of or involves a convention of delegates chosen by its enrolled party members under its party rules, such rule or amendment so prescribing such method of amendment shall also prescribe the manner in which such delegates are to be chosen.

Sec. 9-375a. Amendment of party rules in 1972. Section 9-375a is repealed.

Sec. 9-375b. Amendment of party rules following a census. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 9-374 and 9-375, during the second calendar year following the year in which the decennial census of the United States is taken, (1) any amendments of the state rules of a particular party necessitated by redistricting may be made by a majority vote of the members of the state central committee of such party voting thereon at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments, and (2) any amendments of the local rules of a particular party necessitated by redistricting may be made by a majority vote of the members of the town committee of such party voting thereon at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. Any such amendments shall be effective upon the filing of a copy thereof in the office of the Secretary of the State by the chairman or vice-chairman of such political party.

Sec. 9-376. Postponement of primary day. (a)(1) If the day fixed for any primary falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday or on a day on which the tenets of a religion forbid secular activity, the primary shall be held on the next succeeding day other than a Sunday or a legal or such religious holiday. (2) If the day fixed for any primary falls on the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day, the primary shall be held on the next succeeding Tuesday.

(b) If a primary is held on a day prescribed by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, the day of the primary shall be considered to be the day on which such primary would have been held except for subdivision (1) of said subsection, for all other purposes including the calculation of any period of time having reference to such primary, except that the calculation of any deadline relating to a person becoming eligible to vote in such primary shall be made from the day on which the primary is actually held.

Sec. 9-377. Write-in spaces on ballots prohibited. At a primary votes may be cast and counted only for duly qualified candidates at such primary whose names appear on the ballot on primary day. No write-in spaces shall appear on the ballots used at a primary.

Sec. 9-378. Nominations without party designation excepted. In any municipality which, under the provisions of a special act, nominates one or more candidates for municipal office without party designation by nominating petitions or in nonpartisan primaries in addition to the nomination of one or more candidates for such office under party designation, the provisions of this chapter shall apply only to the nomination of such candidates for election therein as are nominated and voted upon under party designation.

Secs. 9-378a to 9-378l. Reserved for future use.

PART II

PARTIES ENTITLED TO PLACE ON BALLOT

Sec. 9-378m. Transferred to Sec. 9-453u.

Sec. 9-379. Eligibility for placing on ballot. No name of any candidate shall be printed on any official ballot at any election except the name of a candidate nominated by a major or minor party unless a nominating petition for such candidate is approved by the Secretary of the State as provided in sections 9-453a to 9-453p, inclusive.

Sec. 9-380. Newly-created offices. In the case of an office created after the last-preceding election, no name of any candidate for such office shall be printed on the official ballot except the name of a candidate nominated by a political party or organization whose candidate for Governor at the last-preceding election for Governor received, under the designation of that political party or organization at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor, or at least one per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at such election within the geographical limits of the jurisdiction of such newly-created office, provided, upon the filing of a nominating petition with the Secretary of the State as provided in sections 9-453a to 9-453p, inclusive, signed by a number of qualified electors equal to one per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for Governor at the last-preceding election within the geographical limits of the jurisdiction of such newly-created office, or whenever the geographical limits of the jurisdiction of a newly-created office differ from the geographical limits of a voting district or group of voting districts as the same were constituted at the time of the last-preceding election for Governor, signed by a number of qualified electors equal to one per cent of the number of electors who voted at the last regular election held in such municipality, or whenever the geographical limits of the jurisdiction of a newly-created office contain more than one town or parts of towns, signed by a number of qualified electors equal to one per cent of the number of electors who voted at the last regular election held in each town which is wholly or partially contained within the geographical limits of the jurisdiction of the newly-created office, such candidate with his party designation, if any, shall be printed on the official ballot. As used in this section, the terms “office created after the last-preceding election” and “newly-created office” do not include an office for which the geographical limits of the jurisdiction of the office have changed as result of redistricting.

PART III

NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES

A

MAJOR PARTIES

Sec. 9-381. Nomination procedure. The provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, shall apply to the nomination by a major party of any candidate for an elective office, including an office established after the last-preceding election, and to the selection in any municipality by a major party of town committee members or delegates to conventions.

Sec. 9-381a. Election procedures applicable to primaries unless otherwise provided. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the provisions of the general statutes concerning procedures relating to regular elections shall apply as nearly as may be, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, to primaries held under the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 9-382. Party-endorsed candidates; state or district office. The state or district convention, as the case may be, shall, in a manner conforming with applicable law and with the rules of the party calling such convention, choose a candidate for nomination to each of the state or district offices, as the case may be. No such convention shall choose more than one candidate for nomination to any such office. Candidates so chosen shall run in the primary of such party as party-endorsed candidates, except as provided in section 9-416.

Sec. 9-383. Time and place of convention. The time and place of meeting of a state or district convention shall be fixed by the state central committee or other authority of the party holding such convention, in accordance with the rules of such party; provided each such convention held to endorse candidates for state or district office to be voted upon at a state election shall be convened not earlier than the ninety-eighth day and closed not later than the seventy-seventh day preceding the day of the primary for such office.

Sec. 9-384. Calls for conventions. Each convention shall originate by call of the chairman of the state central committee or other authority of the party holding such convention, in accordance with the rules of such party.

Sec. 9-384a. Calls for 1974 party conventions. Section 9-384a is repealed.

Sec. 9-385. Roll-call vote or polling by delegation at convention. Whenever one-fifth or more of the accredited delegates to, and present and voting at, any state or district convention, called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for any elective office, upon motion, vote in favor of a roll call upon any matter or motion pending before such convention, or whenever a vote is to be taken on a party endorsement as between two or more candidates for nomination to any state or district office at any such convention, the clerk or secretary of such convention shall call such roll and shall keep a true record, in writing, of the vote of each delegate entitled to vote and voting at such convention or shall poll such convention by delegations if this procedure has been chosen by the convention pursuant to section 9-385a, and shall, at the conclusion of such roll call or call by delegations as the case may be, announce the result of such vote. Such clerk or secretary shall file such record at the headquarters of the state central committee, where it shall be preserved for a period of one hundred eighty days after the adjournment of such convention, and such record shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times.

Sec. 9-385a. Voting by delegation at state convention. The delegates to the state convention of each party elected from each town shall select a chairman of such delegation and file the name and address of such chairman with the secretary of the state central committee of such party prior to the opening of such convention. Whenever one-fifth or more of the accredited delegates to, and present and voting at, any such state convention called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for any elective office, upon motion, vote that a roll call vote, under section 9-385, upon any matter or motion pending before such convention, or on a party endorsement as between two or more candidates for nomination to any state office at any such convention, be taken by town delegation, the individual delegates shall be polled by the chairman of each town delegation whose designation is recorded as provided herein and their votes cast by totals by such chairman on the roll call. A list of the names and the vote of each delegate shall be filed by the said chairman of each town delegation with the clerk or secretary of the convention prior to the announcement of the result of such roll call vote and shall be preserved with the record of the vote as provided in section 9-385. A duplicate copy of such list shall be filed with the Secretary of the State not later than forty-eight hours after the close of such convention. Upon announcement by the chairman of the vote of a town delegation, any delegate from such town may question or challenge such announcement, and thereupon, the vote of such town delegation shall be individually taken by the clerk or the secretary of such convention calling the roll, and each delegate shall announce his own vote. The provisions of this law shall not apply to district delegates, if any, and district delegates shall continue to vote individually on any roll call.

Sec. 9-386. Tie vote on endorsement. If a vote taken under sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, on the selection of any party-endorsed candidate for state or district office results in a tie, such tie vote shall be dissolved in the manner prescribed in the applicable state or district rules of the party selecting such candidate; provided, if said party rules are silent or permit the tie vote to remain, a tie may be declared by the chairman or the presiding officer and there shall be no party endorsement. In such case of no party endorsement, statements may be filed under section 9-400, by or on behalf of any qualified person whose name appears upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party and who has received at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the proposed endorsement of a candidate for such state or district office. In such event, if within the time specified in section 9-400, a candidacy for nomination to such state or district office is filed in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-400 to 9-414, inclusive, by not more than one person, no primary shall be held by such party for such office and the person filing such candidacy shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen as the nominee of such party for such office; but if such candidacies are so filed by two or more persons, a primary shall be held as provided in section 9-415.

Sec. 9-387. Dispute as to endorsement of a candidate or selection of a delegate. The state rules of each party shall prescribe the manner in which any dispute as to the endorsement by such party of a candidate for state, district or municipal office or for town committee member, or as to the selection by such party of a delegate to a convention, including conflicting claims to such endorsement or selection, shall be resolved.

Sec. 9-388. Report to Secretary of the State. Whenever a convention of a political party is held for the endorsement of candidates for nomination to state or district office, each candidate endorsed at such convention shall file with the Secretary of the State a certificate, signed by him, stating that he was endorsed by such convention, his name as he authorizes it to appear on the ballot, his full residence address and the title and district, if applicable, of the office for which he was endorsed. Such certificate shall be attested by either (1) the chairman or presiding officer, or (2) the secretary of such convention and shall be received by the Secretary of the State not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day after the close of such convention. Such certificate shall either be mailed to the Secretary of the State by certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivered in person, in which case a receipt indicating the date and time of delivery shall be provided by the Secretary of the State to the person making delivery. If a certificate of a party’s endorsement for a particular state or district office is not received by the Secretary of the State by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party, for purposes of section 9-416 and section 9-416a shall be deemed to have made no endorsement of any candidate for such office. If applicable, the chairman of a party’s state convention shall, forthwith upon the close of such convention, file with the Secretary of the State the names and full residence addresses of persons selected by such convention as the nominees of such party for electors of President and Vice-President of the United States in accordance with the provisions of section 9-175.

Sec. 9-389. Publication of names; information concerning filing of candidacies. Section 9-389 is repealed.

Sec. 9-390. Selection of party-endorsed candidates for municipal office and selection of delegates to conventions. (a) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, party-endorsed candidates of any party in any municipality for municipal office shall be selected, in accordance with the rules of such party, by: (1) The enrolled members of such party in such municipality in caucus, (2) delegates to a convention chosen in accordance with such rules by such enrolled members, or (3) the town committee of such party. The town chairman or his designee shall give notice in a newspaper having a general circulation in the town of the date, time, location and purpose of a caucus held pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. Such notice shall be given not less than five days prior to the date set for the caucus; provided, if the rules of the party in any municipality require earlier notice, such party rules shall prevail.

(b) Delegates to conventions shall be selected, in accordance with the rules of such party, by the method prescribed in either subdivision (1) or (3) of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, party-endorsed candidates of any party in any municipality for town committee members shall be selected, in accordance with the rules of such party, by the method prescribed in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section.

(d) The selection of party-endorsed candidates in the manner provided in subsection (a) or (c) of this section and the selection of delegates to conventions in the manner provided in subsection (b) of this section shall be made and certified to the clerk of the municipality or the Secretary of the State, as the case may be, within the time specified in section 9-391.

(e) (1) In the endorsement of any person for an office or a position as committee member, in the manner provided in subsection (a) or (c) of this section, for whom only the electors of a political subdivision of such municipality or of a senatorial district or assembly district located in such municipality may vote, only the enrolled party members, delegates or town committee members, as the case may be, from such political subdivision or district may participate, except that, in a municipality in which the town committee is elected at large and is the endorsing authority, such endorsement shall be made by the town committee as a whole and except that, whenever no member of the endorsing authority resides in such political subdivision or district from which the endorsement is to be made, then such endorsing authority as a whole shall endorse.

(2) In the selection of any person for a position as delegate to a convention, in the manner provided in subsection (b) of this section, where only the electors of a political subdivision of such municipality or of a senatorial district or assembly district located in such municipality may vote for the offices to be voted upon at such convention, only the enrolled party members or town committee members, as the case may be, from such political subdivision or district may participate, except that (A) in a municipality in which the town committee is elected at-large and is the selecting authority, the town committee as a whole shall select, and (B) in a municipality in which the town committee is elected from political subdivisions and is the selecting authority, whenever no member of the town committee resides in such political subdivision or district from which the selection is to be made, the town committee as a whole shall select.

(f) Candidates endorsed in the manner provided in subsection (a) or (c) of this section shall run in the primary of such party as party-endorsed candidates, except as provided in section 9-417. Delegates to conventions selected in the manner provided in subsection (b) of this section shall be deemed to have been lawfully selected as such delegates.

(g) Any party in any municipality may by its rules provide that no selection be made of party-endorsed candidates for municipal office or town committee members and that the nominees of such party for such municipal office or town committee members of such party be chosen at direct primaries in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-405, 9-406, 9-409 to 9-412, inclusive, and 9-414, except as provided in sections 9-418 and 9-419.

(h) This section shall not apply to district delegates to conventions.

Sec. 9-390a. Election of town committee members in 1972. Section 9-390a is repealed.

Sec. 9-391. Time for party endorsements for municipal offices and town committee members. Time for selection of delegates to conventions. Certification. Late certification void. (a) Each endorsement of a candidate to run in a primary for the nomination of candidates for municipal office to be voted upon at a municipal election, or for the election of town committee members shall be made under the provisions of section 9-390 not earlier than the fifty-sixth day or later than the forty-ninth day preceding the day of such primary. In the case of an endorsement of a candidate for a municipal office of state senator or state representative, such endorsement may be made of a candidate whose name appears upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party within the municipality or political subdivision within which such candidate is to run for nomination. The endorsement shall be certified to the clerk of the municipality by either (1) the chairman or presiding officer, or (2) the secretary of the town committee, caucus or convention, as the case may be, not later than four o’clock p.m. on the forty-eighth day preceding the day of such primary. Such certification shall be signed by such candidate and contain the name and street address of each person so endorsed, the title of the office or the position as committee member and the name or number of the political subdivision or district, if any, for which each such person is endorsed. Such certification shall be made on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State or on such other form as may comply with the provisions of this subsection. If such a certificate of a party’s endorsement is not received by the town clerk by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party, for purposes of sections 9-417, 9-418 and 9-419, shall be deemed to have neither made nor certified such endorsement of any candidate for such office.

(b) Each selection of delegates to a state or district convention shall be made in accordance with the provisions of section 9-390 not earlier than the one-hundred-fortieth day and not later than the one-hundred-thirty-third day preceding the day of the primary for such state or district office. Such selection shall be certified to the clerk of the municipality by the chairman or presiding officer and the secretary of the town committee or caucus, as the case may be, not later than four o’clock p.m. on the one-hundred-thirty-second day preceding the day of such primary. Each such certification shall contain the name and street address of each person so selected, the position as delegate, and the name or number of the political subdivision or district, if any, for which each such person is selected. If such a certificate of a party’s selection is not received by the town clerk by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party, for purposes of sections 9-417 and 9-420, shall be deemed to have neither made nor certified any selection of any person for the position of delegate.

(c) Each endorsement of a candidate to run in a primary for the nomination of candidates for a municipal office to be voted upon at a state election shall be made under the provisions of section 9-390 not earlier than the eighty-fourth day or later than the seventy-seventh day preceding the day of such primary. Any certification to be filed under this subsection shall be received by the Secretary of the State not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day after the close of the town committee meeting, caucus or convention, as the case may be. If such a certificate of a party’s endorsement is not received by the Secretary of the State by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party, for the purposes of sections 9-417 and 9-418, shall be deemed to have neither made nor certified any endorsement of any candidate for such office. The candidate so endorsed for a municipal office to be voted upon at a state election, other than the office of justice of the peace, shall file with the Secretary of the State a certificate, signed by that candidate, stating that such candidate was so endorsed, the candidate’s name as the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot, the candidate’s full street address and the title and district of the office for which the candidate was endorsed. Such certificate may be filed by a candidate whose name appears upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party within the senatorial district within which the candidate is endorsed to run for nomination in the case of the municipal office of state senator, or the assembly district within which a person is endorsed to run for nomination in the case of the municipal office of state representative, or the municipality or political subdivision within which a person is to run for nomination for other municipal offices to be voted on at a state election. Such certificate shall be attested by the chairperson or presiding officer or the secretary of the town committee, caucus or convention which made such endorsement. The endorsement of any candidate for the office of justice of the peace shall be certified to the clerk of the municipality by the chairperson or presiding officer or the secretary of the town committee, caucus or convention, and shall contain the name and street address of each person so endorsed and the title of the office for which each such person is endorsed. Such certification shall be made on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State or on such other form as may comply with the provisions of this subsection.

Sec. 9-392. Selection of town committees. A town committee shall be selected by each party in each town, in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, not later than July 1, 1956, and thereafter at intervals not greater than twenty-six months. The terms of town committee members shall start on the first Monday following the date for the primary, unless otherwise provided in the party rules, except that the terms of all members shall begin and end on the same day; provided, when a town committee increases its membership as provided in section 9-393, the party rules shall specify the day upon which the term of all the new positions created by such increase shall begin.

Sec. 9-393. Selection of town committee members and delegates. All town committee members and delegates to conventions shall be chosen as provided in sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive. Vacancies in town committees, arising from any cause including failure to elect, shall be filled in such manner as the rules of the party prescribe. The chairman of a town committee may be chosen by the town committee from within or without the membership of the town committee as the rules of the party prescribe. Any town committee may, by party rules adopted in accordance with section 9-375 and filed under section 9-374, increase its membership and fill new positions created by such increase in the manner prescribed in the applicable party rules. The rules of a party may provide methods for the filling of vacancies in delegations to conventions, which methods may include prescribing that each delegate selected in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, may designate an alternate delegate or a proxy to act for him in his absence.

Sec. 9-394. District delegates. If the state rules of a party provide that certain delegates to state conventions be chosen from senatorial districts, the party-endorsed candidates for election as such district delegates shall be selected in such manner as is prescribed in such rules; provided such selection shall be made within the time specified in section 9-391; and provided, upon such selection, the information required in section 9-390 shall forthwith be certified, in such manner as is prescribed in such rules, to the clerk of each municipality in such district, and such certification shall be deemed the certification of the party in such municipality. Delegates allocated to and selected from towns shall not be deemed to be district delegates.

Sec. 9-394a. Senatorial and assembly district convention delegates. Any major party in any part of a town which is a component part of a senatorial or assembly district composed of parts of two towns or of a town or towns and a part or parts of another town or other towns may select delegates to a senatorial or assembly district convention in such district as provided in this title and its party rules and may participate in the selection of a candidate for state senator or state representative in such district in the manner provided for a town which is a component part of a senatorial district in a district composed of two or more towns under this title. In addition to other requirements prescribed by law, the name of a person on whose behalf a primary petition is filed for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative for such district and the names of the signers of any such petition shall appear on the last-completed enrollment list of such party for such part of a town or for any other town which is a component part of such district.

Sec. 9-395. Publication of information concerning municipal primaries. (a) Forthwith upon the certification provided in section 9-391, the clerk of the municipality shall publish, in a newspaper having a general circulation in such municipality, the fact of such certification and that a list of the persons endorsed as candidates is on file in his office and copies thereof are available for public distribution. If, with respect to any office or position to be filled, the clerk of the municipality has failed to receive the certification of the name of any person as a party-endorsed candidate within the time limited in section 9-391, such fact shall be published by the clerk of the municipality. Together with such information, the clerk shall publish a notice that a primary will be held for the nomination by such political party of a candidate for the offices to be filled or for the election of members of the town committee, as the case may be, if a candidacy is filed in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive. Such notice shall specify the final date for the filing of such candidacy and the date of the primary, shall state where forms for petitions may be obtained and shall generally indicate the method of procedure in the filing of such candidacy. The Secretary of the State shall prescribe the form of such notice. The clerk shall forthwith publish any change in the party-endorsed candidates, listing such changes.

(b) In any year in which a state election is to be held, the notice described in subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) Be published not later than the seventy-sixth day preceding the day of the primary, (2) indicate that the certification provided in section 9-391 can be made, and (3) indicate that a list of persons endorsed as candidates will be on file with the Secretary of the State. The requirement contained in subsection (a) of this section to publish the fact that the clerk of the municipality has failed to receive the certification of the name of any person as a party-endorsed candidate within the time limit in section 9-391, shall not apply to the notice required by this subsection.

Sec. 9-396. Ballot vote at caucus; eligibility to vote. At any caucus of the enrolled members of any party in any municipality or in any voting district of any municipality, the chairman of such caucus shall, upon the receipt of a written motion from any person lawfully participating in such caucus calling for a vote by ballot upon such matter as such motion designates, submit such motion to a rising vote; and, if fifteen electors present and legally entitled to participate in such caucus vote in favor of such motion, the vote on the matter specified in such motion shall be by ballot. The presiding officer shall thereupon appoint two tellers; and, upon the written application of fifteen electors legally entitled to participate in such caucus, he shall appoint a teller from the persons whose names appear on such application. Before any ballot is deposited, the name of the elector offering to vote shall be given to the clerk or secretary of such caucus, and such name shall be checked on the enrollment list of such party. No person shall vote or participate or attempt to vote or participate in any caucus of a party in any voting district unless he is enrolled on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in such voting district; provided, if the party rules of such party provide for a joint caucus for two or more voting districts of a municipality, a person may vote in such joint caucus if the voting district in which he is enrolled is participating in such joint caucus. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

Sec. 9-397. Tie vote on endorsement. If a vote taken under sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, on the selection of any party-endorsed candidate for municipal office or for delegate or town committee member results in a tie, such tie vote shall be dissolved in the manner prescribed in the applicable rules of the party selecting such candidate.

Secs. 9-398 and 9-399. Dispute as to endorsement. Time for filing candidacies. Sections 9-398 and 9-399 are repealed.

Sec. 9-400. Filing of candidacies; state or district office. (a) A candidacy for nomination by a political party to a state office may be filed by or on behalf of any person whose name appears upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party in any municipality within the state and who has either (1) received at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for such state office, whether or not the party-endorsed candidate for such office received a unanimous vote on the last ballot, or (2) circulated a petition and obtained the signatures of at least two per cent of the enrolled members of such party in the state, in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-404a to 9-404c, inclusive. Candidacies described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be filed by submitting to the Secretary of the State not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day following the close of the state convention, a certificate, signed by such candidate and attested by either (A) the chairman or presiding officer, or (B) the secretary of the convention, that such candidate received at least fifteen per cent of such votes, and that such candidate consents to be a candidate in a primary of such party for such state office. Such certificate shall specify the candidate’s name as the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot, the candidate’s full residence address and the title of the office for which the candidacy is being filed. A single such certificate or petition for state office may be filed on behalf of two or more candidates for different state offices who consent to have their names appear on a single row of the primary ballot under subsection (b) of section 9-437. Candidacies described in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be filed by submitting said petition not later than four o’clock p.m. on the sixty-third day preceding the day of the primary for such office to the registrar of voters of the towns in which the respective petition pages were circulated. Each registrar shall file each page of such petition with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-404c. A petition filed by or on behalf of a candidate for state office shall be invalid for such candidate if such candidate is certified as the party-endorsed candidate pursuant to section 9-388 or as receiving at least fifteen per cent of the convention vote for such office pursuant to this subsection. Except as provided in section 9-416a, upon the expiration of the time period for party endorsement and circulation and tabulation of petitions and signatures, if any, if one or more candidacies for such state office have been filed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of the State shall notify all town clerks and registrars of voters in accordance with the provisions of section 9-433, that a primary for such state office shall be held in each municipality in accordance with the provisions of section 9-415.

(b) A candidacy for nomination by a political party to a district office may be filed by or on behalf of any person whose name appears upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party within the district the person seeks to represent that is in the office of the Secretary of the State at the end of the last day prior to the convention for the party from which the person seeks nomination and who has either (1) received at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for such district office, whether or not the party-endorsed candidate for such office received a unanimous vote on the last ballot, or (2) circulated a petition and obtained the signatures of at least two per cent of the enrolled members of such party in the district for the district office of representative in Congress, and at least five per cent of the enrolled members of such party in the district for the district offices of state senator, state representative and judge of probate, in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-404a to 9-404c, inclusive. Candidacies described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be filed by submitting to the Secretary of the State not later than four o’clock p.m. on the fourteenth day following the close of the district convention, a certificate, signed by such candidate and attested by either (A) the chairman or presiding officer, or (B) the secretary of the convention, that such candidate received at least fifteen per cent of such votes, and that the candidate consents to be a candidate in a primary of such party for such district office. Such certificate shall specify the candidate’s name as the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot, the candidate’s full residence address and the title and district of the office for which the candidacy is being filed. Candidacies described in subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be filed by submitting said petition not later than four o’clock p.m. on the sixty-third day preceding the day of the primary for such office to the registrar of voters of the towns in which the respective petition pages were circulated. Each registrar shall file each page of such petition with the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of section 9-404c. A petition may only be filed by or on behalf of a candidate for the district office of state senator, state representative or judge of probate who is not certified as the party-endorsed candidate pursuant to section 9-388 or as receiving at least fifteen per cent of the convention vote for such office pursuant to this subsection. A petition filed by or on behalf of a candidate for the district office of representative in Congress shall be invalid if said candidate is certified as the party-endorsed candidate pursuant to section 9-388 or as receiving at least fifteen per cent of the convention vote for such office pursuant to this subsection. Except as provided in section 9-416a, upon the expiration of the time period for party endorsement and circulation and tabulation of petitions and signatures, if any, if one or more candidacies for such district office have been filed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of the State shall notify all town clerks within the district, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-433, that a primary for such district office shall be held in each municipality and each part of a municipality within the district in accordance with the provisions of section 9-415.

(c) For the purposes of this section, the number of enrolled members of a party shall be determined by the latest enrollment records in the office of the Secretary of the State prior to the earliest date that primary petitions were available. The names of electors on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35 shall not be counted for purposes of computing the number of petition signatures required under this section, as provided in section 9-35c.

(d) On the last day for filing primary petition candidacies in accordance with the provisions of this section, the office or office facilities of the registrars of voters shall open not later than one o’clock p.m., and remain open until at least four o’clock p.m., and such registrars or the deputy or assistant registrars shall be present.

Secs. 9-401 to 9-404. Availability of petition forms. Petition form; circulation of petitions for state or district office; prohibited acts. Registrar’s receipt and verification of petitions for state or district office; rejection by Secretary of the State, when; preservation of petitions by secretary. Return of deposit; state or district office. Sections 9-401 to 9-404, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-404a. Availability and issuance of primary petition forms for candidacies for nomination to state or district office. Petition forms for candidacies for nomination by a political party to a state office, as defined in section 9-372, or the district office of representative in Congress shall be available from the Secretary of the State beginning on the one-hundred-fifth day preceding the day of the primary for such state and district offices. Petition forms for candidacies for nomination by a political party to the district office of judge of probate, state senator or state representative shall be available from the Secretary of the State beginning on the seventy-seventh day preceding the day of the primary for such office. Any person who requests a petition form shall give the person’s name and address and the name, address and office sought of each candidate for whom the petition is being obtained and shall file a statement signed by each such candidate that such candidate consents to be a candidate for such office. Each such candidate shall include on the statement of consent the candidate’s name as the candidate authorizes it to appear on the ballot. Upon receiving such information and statement, the Secretary shall type or print on a petition form the name and address of each such candidate, the office sought and the political party holding the primary. The Secretary shall give to any person requesting such form one or more petition pages, suitable for duplication, as the Secretary deems necessary. If the person is requesting the form on behalf of an indigent candidate or a group of indigent candidates listed on the same petition, the Secretary shall give the person the number of original pages that the person requests or the number which the Secretary deems sufficient. An original petition page filled in by the Secretary may be duplicated by or on behalf of the candidate or candidates listed on the page and signatures may be obtained on such duplicates. The duplicates may be filed in the same manner and shall be subject to the same requirements as original petition pages. All information relative to primary petitions shall be a public record.

Sec. 9-404b. Primary petition forms for candidacies for nomination to state or district office. Signatures. Circulation. (a) The petition form for candidacies for nomination to state or district office shall be prescribed and provided by the Secretary of the State, and signatures shall be obtained only on such form or on duplicate petition pages produced in accordance with the provisions of section 9-404a. Such form shall include, at the top of the form and in bold print, the following:

WARNING

IT IS A CRIME TO SIGN THIS PETITION

IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON

WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO

AND YOU MAY NOT SIGN THIS PETITION

IF YOU ARE NOT AN ELECTOR.

The form shall include a statement of instructions to persons using the form and shall indicate the date and time by which it shall be filed and the person with whom it shall be filed. The form shall provide spaces for the names and addresses of the candidates, the offices to which nomination is sought and the political party holding the primary, and shall provide lines for the signatures, street addresses, dates of birth and the printing of the names of enrolled party members supporting the person or persons on behalf of whose candidacy the petition is used.

(b) Only as many candidates may be proposed in any one primary petition for the same office as are to be nominated by such party for such office, but any one primary petition may propose as many candidates for different state offices as there are nominations to be made.

(c) The names of enrolled party members signing a primary petition may be on several pages, provided no person shall sign more than one petition page for the same candidate or candidates. Any person who signs a name other than the person’s own to a primary petition filed under the provisions of this section or who signs a name other than the person’s own as circulator of such petition shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Each such page shall indicate the candidate or candidates supported, the offices sought and the political party for which nomination is being sought. No page of such a petition shall contain the names of enrolled party members residing in different municipalities and any petition page that has been certified by the registrars of two or more municipalities shall be rejected by the Secretary. Withdrawal of petition signatures shall not be permitted.

(d) Each circulator of a primary petition page shall be an enrolled party member of a municipality in this state. Each petition page shall contain a statement signed by the registrar of the municipality in which the circulator is an enrolled party member attesting that the circulator is an enrolled party member in the municipality. Unless such a statement by the registrar of voters appears on each page so submitted, the Secretary shall reject the page. Each separate page of the petition shall contain a statement as to the authenticity of the signatures on the page and the number of such signatures, and shall be signed under the penalties of false statement by the person who circulated the page, setting forth the circulator’s address and the town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member and attesting that each person whose name appears on the page signed the petition in person in the presence of the circulator, that the circulator either knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified himself or herself to the circulator and that the spaces for candidates supported, offices sought and the political party involved were filled in prior to the obtaining of the signatures. Each separate page of the petition shall also be acknowledged before an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29. The Secretary shall reject any page of a petition filed with the Secretary which does not contain such a statement by the circulator as to the authenticity of the signatures on the page, or upon which the statement of the circulator is incomplete in any respect, or which does not contain the certification required under this section by the registrar of the town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member. Any individual proposed as a candidate in any primary petition may serve as a circulator of the pages of the petition, provided the individual’s service as circulator does not violate any provision of this section.

Sec. 9-404c. Registrar’s receipt and verification of petitions for candidacies for nomination to state or district office. Filing with Secretary. Tabulation. (a) Upon the receipt of any page of a petition proposing a candidacy for a state or district office, the registrar shall forthwith sign and give to the person submitting the petition a receipt, in duplicate, stating the number of pages filed and the date and time of filing. The person or the candidate shall forthwith send one copy of the receipt to the Secretary of the State. The registrar of voters shall indicate on each such petition page the date and time of filing, shall forthwith certify on each such page the number of signers of the page who were enrolled on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, and shall forthwith file such certified page in person or by mail, as described in section 9-140b, with the Secretary within seven days after receipt of the page. In checking the signatures on primary petition pages, the registrar shall reject any name which does not appear on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be. Such rejection shall be indicated by placing a mark in a manner prescribed by the Secretary before the name rejected. The registrar may place a check mark before each name appearing on the enrollment list to indicate approval but shall place no other mark on the page except as provided in this chapter. The registrar shall not reject any name for which the street address on the petition is different from the street address on the enrollment list, if (1) such person is eligible to vote for the candidate or candidates named in the petition in the municipality of the registrar, and (2) the person’s date of birth, as shown on the petition page, is the same as the date of birth on the person’s registration record.

(b) Upon the filing of all pages of a petition, the Secretary shall reject any page of the petition which does not contain the certifications required in section 9-404b or which the Secretary determines to have been circulated in violation of any provision of said section 9-404b, and shall immediately cause the number of certified signatures to be tabulated. Petitions filed with the Secretary shall be preserved for a period of three years and then may be destroyed.

Sec. 9-405. Time for filing primary petition candidacies for municipal offices and town committee members. (a)(1) Candidacies of persons other than party-endorsed candidates for nomination by a political party to a municipal office to be voted upon at a municipal election, or for election as town committee members shall be filed with the registrar, as provided in section 9-406, not later than four o’clock p.m. on the thirty-fourth day preceding the day of the primary of such party for the nomination of candidates for such office or for the election of town committee members. Said day and hour shall be specified on the petition forms.

(2) Candidacies of persons, other than party-endorsed candidates, for nomination by a political party to a municipal office to be voted upon at a state election shall be filed with the registrars, as provided in section 9-406, not later than four o’clock p.m. on the sixty-third day preceding the day of the primary for such office. Said day and hour shall be specified on the petition forms.

(b) On the last day for filing primary petition candidacies, in accordance with the provisions of this section, the office or office facilities of the registrars of voters shall open not later than one o’clock p.m., and remain open until at least four o’clock p.m., and such registrars or their deputy or assistant registrars shall be present.

Sec. 9-406. Filing of primary petition candidacies for municipal offices and town committee members. A candidacy for nomination by a political party to a municipal office or a candidacy for election as a member of a town committee may be filed by or on behalf of any person whose name appears upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party within the senatorial district within which a person is to be nominated in the case of the municipal office of state senator, or the assembly district within which a person is to be nominated in the case of the municipal office of state representative, or the municipality or political subdivision within which a person is to be nominated in the case of a town committee member or for any other municipal office. Any such candidacy shall be filed by filing with the registrar within the applicable time specified in section 9-405 a petition signed by (1) at least five per cent of the electors whose names appear upon the last-completed enrollment list of such party in such municipality or in such political subdivision, senatorial district or assembly district, or (2) such lesser number of such electors as such party by its rules prescribes, as the case may be. For the purpose of computing five per cent of the last-completed enrollment list, the registrar shall use the last printed enrollment list and the printed updated list, if any, of a political party certified and last completed by the registrars of voters prior to the date the first primary petition was issued, excluding therefrom the names of individuals who have ceased to be electors.

Sec. 9-406a. Penalty for fraudulent certification. Any person who fraudulently signs, attests or files a false certificate under section 9-388, 9-391, 9-400 or 9-406 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Secs. 9-407 and 9-408. Filing of candidacies; delegates. Filing of primary petition candidacies for district delegates. Sections 9-407 and 9-408 are repealed, effective January 1, 2004, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.

Sec. 9-409. Availability and issuance of primary petition forms for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or election as town committee members.

Sec. 9-410. Primary petition forms for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or election as town committee members. Signatures. Circulation.

(a) The petition form for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or for election as members of town committees shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the registrar of the municipality in which the candidacy is to be filed or duplicate petition pages shall be produced in accordance with section 9-409, and signatures shall be obtained only on such forms or such duplicate petition pages. Such form shall include, at the top of the form and in bold print, the following:

WARNING

IT IS A CRIME TO SIGN THIS PETITION

IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON

WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO

AND YOU MAY NOT SIGN THIS PETITION

IF YOU ARE NOT AN ELECTOR.

The form shall include thereon a statement of instructions to persons using the form and shall indicate the date and time by which it shall be filed and the person with whom it shall be filed. The form shall provide spaces for the names and addresses of the candidates, the offices to which nomination is sought or the positions to which election is sought and the political party holding the primary, and shall provide lines for the signatures, street addresses, dates of birth and the printing of the names of enrolled party members supporting the person or persons on behalf of whose candidacy the petition is used. Only as many candidates may be proposed in any one primary petition for the same office or position as are to be nominated or chosen by such party for such office or position; but any one primary petition may propose as many candidates for different offices or positions as there are nominations to be made or positions to be filled.

(b) The names of enrolled party members signing a primary petition need not all be on one sheet but may be on several sheets, but no person shall sign more than one petition page for the same candidate or candidates. Any person who signs a name other than the person’s own to a primary petition filed under the provisions of this section or who signs a name other than the person’s own as circulator of such a petition shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. Each such sheet shall indicate the candidate or candidates supported, the offices or positions sought and the political party the nomination of which is sought or which is holding the primary for election of town committee members. No page of such a petition shall contain the names of enrolled party members residing in different municipalities and any page thereof which has been certified by the registrars of two or more municipalities shall be rejected by the registrar. Withdrawal of petition signatures shall not be permitted.

(c) Each circulator of a primary petition page shall be an enrolled party member of a municipality in this state who is entitled to vote. Each petition page shall contain a statement signed by the registrar of the municipality in which such circulator is an enrolled party member attesting that the circulator is an enrolled party member in such municipality. Unless such a statement by the registrar appears on each page so submitted, the registrar shall reject such page. No candidate for the nomination of a party for a municipal office or the position of town committee member shall circulate any petition for another candidate or another group of candidates contained in one primary petition for the nomination of such party for the same office or position, and any petition page circulated in violation of this provision shall be rejected by the registrar. No person shall circulate petitions for more than the maximum number of candidates to be nominated by a party for the same office or position, and any petition page circulated in violation of this provision shall be rejected by the registrar. Each separate sheet of such petition shall contain a statement as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon and the number of such signatures, and shall be signed under the penalties of false statement by the person who circulated the same, setting forth such circulator’s address and the town in which such circulator is an enrolled party member and attesting that each person whose name appears on such sheet signed the same in person in the presence of such circulator, that the circulator either knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified the signer to the circulator and that the spaces for candidates supported, offices or positions sought and the political party involved were filled in prior to the obtaining of the signatures. Each separate sheet of such petition shall also be acknowledged before an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29. Any sheet of a petition filed with the registrar which does not contain such a statement by the circulator as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon, or upon which the statement of the circulator is incomplete in any respect, or which does not contain the certification hereinbefore required by the registrar of the town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member, shall be rejected by the registrar. Any individual proposed as a candidate in any primary petition may serve as a circulator of the pages of such petition, provided such individual’s service as circulator does not violate any provision of this section.

Sec. 9-411. Number of candidates required on petition for town committee members. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, no primary petition for town committee members shall be approved unless it contains the names of a number of candidates, other than party-endorsed candidates, equal in number to at least twenty-five per cent of the number of town committee members to be elected in the town or political subdivision, as the case may be.

Sec. 9-412. Registrar’s receipt and verification of petitions for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or election as town committee members. Filing with clerk. Upon the receipt of any page of a petition proposing a candidacy for a municipal office or for member of a town committee, the registrar shall forthwith sign and give to the person submitting the petition a receipt in duplicate, stating the number of pages filed and the date and time of filing and shall forthwith certify on each such page the number of signers on the page who were enrolled on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, and shall forthwith file such certified page in person or by mail, as described in section 9-140b, with the clerk of the municipality, together with the registrar’s certificate as to the whole number of names on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in such municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be, not later than seven days after receipt of the page. If such page involves a municipal office to be voted upon at a state election, such registrar shall also file a certificate, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, that includes the name and full street address of each candidate and the title and district of such office not later than seven days after receipt of such page. In checking signatures on primary petition pages, the registrar shall reject any name if such name does not appear on the last-completed enrollment list in the municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be. Such rejection shall be indicated by placing a mark in a manner prescribed by the Secretary before the name so rejected. The registrar may place a check mark before each name appearing on the enrollment list to indicate approval but shall place no other mark on the page except as provided in this chapter. The registrar shall not reject any name for which the street address on the petition is different from the street address on the enrollment list, if (1) such person is eligible to vote for the candidate or candidates named in the petition, and (2) the person’s date of birth, as shown on the petition page, is the same as the date of birth on the person’s registration record. The registrar shall reject any page of a petition which does not contain the certifications provided in section 9-410, or which the registrar determines to have been circulated in violation of any other provision of section 9-410. Petitions filed with the municipal clerk shall be preserved for a period of three years and then may be destroyed.

Sec. 9-413. Deposition of deposit filed with registrar. Section 9-413 is repealed.

Sec. 9-413a. Registrar to certify accuracy of enrollment list provided to candidate circulating primary petition. A registrar of voters who provides an enrollment list of a political party in a municipality, political subdivision or district to a candidate who will be circulating a primary petition for nomination by such party of such candidate to a state, district or municipal office, in accordance with sections 9-404a and 9-404b or sections 9-409 and 9-410, shall certify on the first page of such enrollment list that such list is the most recent and, to the best knowledge of the registrar, accurate enrollment list of such party in such municipality, political subdivision or district.

Sec. 9-414. Nominations not to exceed places to be filled; municipal primaries. No town committee, caucus or convention shall endorse and certify to the clerk of a municipality, and no primary shall choose, more candidates for nomination to municipal office or more persons as members of a town committee than an elector may vote for in each such case.

Sec. 9-415. When primary required. (a) If a candidacy for nomination by a political party to a state office is filed by or on behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate within the time specified in subsection (a) of section 9-400 and in conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, a primary shall be held in each municipality of the state to determine the nominee of such party for such office, except as provided in section 9-416a.

(b) If a candidacy for nomination by a political party to a district office is filed by or on behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate within the time specified in subsection (b) of section 9-400 and in conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, a primary shall be held in each municipality of the district and each part of a municipality which is a component part of the district, to determine the nominee of such party for such office, except as provided in section 9-416a.

(c) If a candidacy for nomination by a political party to a municipal office is filed by or on behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate within the applicable time specified in section 9-405 and in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-405, 9-406, 9-406a, 9-409, 9-410, 9-412 and 9-414, a primary shall be held in the municipality or political subdivision thereof in which the nomination for municipal office is to be made, to determine the nominee of such party for such office, except as provided in section 9-418.

(d) If candidacies numbering at least twenty-five per cent of the number of town committee members to be elected by a party either in the municipality or in the political subdivision, as the case may be, are filed by or on behalf of persons other than party-endorsed candidates within the time specified in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-405 and in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-405, 9-406, 9-406a, 9-409 to 9-412, inclusive, and 9-414, a primary shall be held in the municipality or political subdivision thereof in which members of a town committee are to be elected, to elect the members of the town committee, except as provided in sections 9-419 and 9-421.

Sec. 9-416. No-contest nominations; state or district office. If (1) at a state or district convention no person other than a party-endorsed candidate has received at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for a state or district office, and (2) within the time specified in section 9-400, no candidacy for nomination by a political party to a state or district office has been filed by or on behalf of a person other than a party-endorsed candidate in conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, no primary shall be held by such party for such office and the party-endorsed candidate for such office shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen as the nominee of such party for such office.

Sec. 9-416a. Failure of party to endorse; state or district office. If a party has made no endorsement of a candidate for a particular state or district office, and if within the time specified in section 9-400, a candidacy for such party’s nomination to such office is filed in conformity with the provisions of said section by not more than one person, no primary shall be held by such party for such office and the person filing such candidacy shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen as the nominee of such party for such office.

Sec. 9-417. No-contest nominations; municipal office and town committee members. If within the time specified in section 9-405, no candidacy for nomination by a political party to a municipal office has been filed by or on behalf of a person other than a party-endorsed candidate or, in the case of election as member of the town committee of such party, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates numbering at least twenty-five per cent of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party either in the municipality or in the political subdivision, as the case may be, in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-405 to 9-412, inclusive, and 9-414, no primary shall be held by such party for such office or for town committee members, as the case may be, and the party-endorsed candidate or candidates for such office shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen as the nominee or nominees of such party to such office, or, as the case may be, and the party-endorsed candidates for election as members of the town committee shall be deemed to have been lawfully elected to such positions at the times specified in section 9-392.

Sec. 9-418. Failure of party to endorse; municipal office. (a) If within the time specified in section 9-391, a party has failed, with respect to the office of state senator or state representative, to certify to the Secretary of the State, or with respect to any other municipal office to be filled, to certify to the clerk of the municipality, the name of any person as a party-endorsed candidate, and if within the time specified in section 9-405, a candidacy for nomination to such office is filed in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-400 to 9-414, inclusive, by not more than one person, no primary shall be held by such party for such office and the person filing such candidacy shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen as the nominee of such party for such office.

(b) If within the time specified in section 9-391, a party has failed, with respect to any municipal office to be filled by two or more persons, to certify to the clerk of the municipality names of persons as party-endorsed candidates equal in number to the number of persons to be nominated to such office, and if within the time specified in section 9-405, a candidacy or candidacies for nomination to such office are filed in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-400 to 9-414, inclusive, by a number of persons not more than the number for which the party has failed to certify names, no primary shall be held by such party for such office, and each of the party-endorsed candidates and each of the persons filing such candidacies shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen as the nominees of such party for such office.

Sec. 9-419. Failure of party to endorse; town committee members. If within the time specified in section 9-391, a party has failed, with respect to the election of town committee members, to certify to the clerk of the municipality names of persons as party-endorsed candidates equal in number to the number of positions as town committee members to be filled, and if within the time specified in section 9-405, a candidacy or candidacies for election as town committee members are filed in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-400 to 9-414, inclusive, by a number of persons equal to at least twenty-five per cent of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party either in the municipality or in the political subdivision, as the case may be, such number being not more than the number of positions for which the town committee has failed to certify names, no primary shall be held by such party for the election of town committee members, and each of the party-endorsed candidates and each of the persons filing such candidacies shall be deemed to have been lawfully elected as town committee members at the times specified in section 9-392; provided the number of positions to be filled shall be equal to the maximum number of town committee members for the town or political subdivision, as the case may be, as specified in the rules of such party whenever such rules specify a minimum and maximum number.

Sec. 9-420. Persons selected as convention delegates by party deemed lawfully selected. The persons selected by a political party to serve as delegates to a convention shall be deemed to have been lawfully selected as such delegates or district delegates.

Sec. 9-421. When primary not to be held for town committee members. Any provision of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, to the contrary notwithstanding, no primary shall be held by a party for the election of a member of a town committee unless candidacies for such election numbering at least twenty-five per cent of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party either in the municipality or in the political subdivision, as the case may be, are filed in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-400 to 9-414, inclusive, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates.

Sec. 9-422. Primaries for justices of the peace. Any provision of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, to the contrary notwithstanding, no primary shall be held for nomination by a party to the office of justice of the peace unless candidacies for such nomination numbering at least a bare majority of the number of justices of the peace to be nominated by such party are filed in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-400 to 9-414, inclusive, by persons other than party-endorsed candidates.

Sec. 9-423. Time for primaries; state, district or municipal office. (a) The primaries of all parties for nomination to an office to be voted upon at a state election shall be held on the second Tuesday in August in the year in which such state election is held.

(b) The primaries of all parties for nomination to an office to be voted upon at a municipal election shall be held on the fifty-sixth day preceding the day of the election.

Sec. 9-424. Time for primaries; delegates. Section 9-424 is repealed, effective January 1, 2004, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.

Sec. 9-425. Time for primaries; town committees. The day for holding a primary for the election of town committee members shall be the first Tuesday in March in even-numbered years.

Sec. 9-426. Cancellation of primary for office or town committee due to vacancies in non-party-endorsed candidacies. Slate vacancies. If only one candidacy has been filed by a person other than a party-endorsed candidate for the nomination by a political party to a particular office and the candidate whose candidacy has been so filed thereafter, but prior to the opening of the polls at such primary, dies, withdraws his name from nomination or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold the office for which he is a candidate, no primary shall be held for the nomination of such party to that office and the party-endorsed candidate for such office shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided in sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, in the case where no candidacy other than a party-endorsed candidacy has been filed. If candidacies have been filed by only one group of persons other than party-endorsed candidates for election to a town committee, and the candidates whose candidacies have been so filed thereafter, but prior to the opening of the polls at such primary, die, withdraw their names from nomination or for any reason become disqualified to hold the positions for which they are candidates, so as to render the number of candidacies so filed less than twenty-five per cent of the number of town committee members to be elected by such party either in the municipality or in the political subdivision, as the case may be, no primary shall be held for those positions and the party-endorsed candidates for such positions shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided in sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, in the case where no candidacies other than party-endorsed candidacies have been filed. If any person on a slate, prior to the opening of the polls at such primary, dies, withdraws his name from nomination or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold the position for which he is a candidate, such partial slate shall appear on the ballot at the primary and, if such partial slate wins, then the remaining members may fill the vacancy. If only one such slate other than a slate of party-endorsed candidates has been filed for election and prior to the opening of the polls at such primary each of the persons on such slate dies, withdraws or becomes disqualified, no primary shall be held for those positions and the party-endorsed candidates for those positions shall be deemed to have been lawfully chosen in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided in sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, in the case where no candidacies other than party-endorsed candidacies have been filed.

Sec. 9-427. Cancellation of delegate primary due to vacancies in party-endorsed candidacies; filling of vacancies when incomplete party-endorsed slate wins delegate primary. Section 9-427 is repealed, effective January 1, 2004, and applicable to primaries and elections held on or after that date.

Sec. 9-428. Vacancy in party-endorsed candidacy. If a party-endorsed candidate for nomination to an office or for election to the position of town committee member, prior to twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls at the primary, dies or, prior to ten days before the day of such primary, withdraws his name from nomination or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold the office or position for which he is a candidate, the state central committee, the town committee or other authority of the party which endorsed such candidate may make an endorsement to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such endorsement, in such manner as is prescribed in the rules of such party, and certify to the registrar and municipal clerk or to the Secretary of the State, as the case may be, the name of the person so endorsed. If such certification is made at least twenty-four hours prior to the opening of the polls at the primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has died, or at least seven days before the day of such primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has withdrawn or become disqualified, such person so endorsed shall run in the primary as the party-endorsed candidate, except as provided in sections 9-416 and 9-417. If such certification of another party-endorsed candidate has been made within the time specified in this section, and if the ballots have already been printed and the names of the candidates for such office or position appear on the ballots, the Secretary of the State or the registrar, as the case may be, shall direct the clerk of each municipality holding such primary to have the ballots reprinted with the name of the person so certified included thereon; provided, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has died, if such certification has been made less than ninety-six hours but at least twenty-four hours prior to the opening of the polls at the primary, such Secretary or registrar shall direct such clerk to have stickers printed and inserted upon the ballots, having the name of the person so certified appearing thereon, and the moderator in each polling place shall cause such stickers to be pasted on the ballots before the opening of the polls at such primary.

Sec. 9-429. Cancellation of primary for office or town committee when vacancies in candidacies result in no contest. If, prior to the opening of the polls at a primary for nomination to an office or for election of town committee members, such a number of candidates have died, withdrawn their names or become ineligible, and have not been replaced as permitted in sections 9-426 and 9-428, as to render the total number of candidates for such office or position no greater than the number to be nominated to such office or elected to such positions, the primary shall not be held, and each of the party-endorsed and other candidates shall be deemed to have been lawfully nominated to such office or elected to such positions.

Sec. 9-430. Withdrawal procedure. No candidate shall be deemed to have withdrawn under the provisions of section 9-426, 9-428 or 9-429 until a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate is filed with the municipal clerk in the case of municipal office or town committee member, or with the Secretary of the State in the case of state or district office.

Sec. 9-431. Eligibility to vote at primary. (a) No person shall be permitted to vote at a primary of a party unless (1) he is on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in the municipality or voting district, as the case may be, or (2) if authorized by the state rules of such party filed pursuant to section 9-374, he is an unaffiliated elector in the municipality or voting district, as the case may be, provided if two or more such parties are holding primaries on the same day in such municipality or voting district, whether for the same offices or different offices, such unaffiliated elector may vote in the primary of only one such party. Such state party rules may authorize unaffiliated electors to vote for some or all offices to be contested at its primaries.

(b) Any such person offering to vote and being challenged as to his identity or residence shall, before he votes, prove by the testimony, under oath, of at least one other elector qualified to vote in such primary or by such other evidence acceptable to the moderator either of the following which are applicable: (1) His identity with the person on whose name he offers to vote or (2) his bona fide residence in the municipality or political subdivision holding the primary, as the case may be. The rules of each party in each municipality shall prescribe whether members of the town committee shall be elected from the municipality at large, in which case any person on the last-completed enrollment list of such party in such municipality shall be eligible to vote in a primary for the election of such committee members, or whether such committee members shall be elected from political subdivisions of such municipality, in which case only persons on the last-completed list of such party in such a political subdivision shall be eligible to vote in a primary for the election of such committee members from such political subdivision; provided no town committee in any municipality shall be elected both at large and from political subdivisions.

(c) Any citizen who has not yet attained the age of eighteen years but who will have attained the age of eighteen years on or before the day of a regular election, and who: (1) Is otherwise qualified to be an elector, and (2) has applied for admission as an elector, may vote at a primary of a party held for such regular election pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

Sec. 9-431a. Eligibility to vote at caucus, primary or town convention. A person whose name does not appear on the registry list of any town or district shall not be eligible to vote in any caucus, primary or town convention within such town.

Sec. 9-431b. Eligibility to vote on removal from one town in state or district to another. Section 9-431b is repealed.

Sec. 9-432. Verification of names on filing with secretary. Section 9-432 is repealed.

Sec. 9-433. Notice of primary; state and district office. (a) After the deadline set forth in section 9-400 for filing candidacies, and upon the completion of the tabulation of petition signatures, if any, if one or more candidacies for nomination by a political party to a state or district office have been filed in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400, the Secretary of the State shall notify the clerk of each town within the state or within the district, as the case may be, that a primary is to be held by such party for the nomination of such party to such office. Such notice shall include a list of all the proposed candidates, those endorsed by the convention as well as those filing candidacies, together with their addresses and the titles of the office for which they are candidates and, if applicable, a statement that unaffiliated electors may vote in the primary. The clerk of each such town shall thereupon cause such notice to be published forthwith in a newspaper having a general circulation in such town, or towns in the case of a joint publication under subsection (b) of this section, together with a statement of the date upon which the primary is to be held, the hours during which the polls shall be open and the location of the polls.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any charter or home rule ordinance, the warning under subsection (a) of this section may be published jointly by two or more towns in a newspaper, provided all other requirements of this section with respect to such warning are met.

Sec. 9-434. Verification of names on filing with municipal clerk. Exception. Upon the filing with the clerk of a municipality of the names of party-endorsed candidates pursuant to section 9-390 or upon the filing with such clerk of petitions for contesting candidates pursuant to section 9-412, such clerk shall verify and correct the names of any such candidate as the candidate authorizes the candidate’s name to appear on the ballot, pursuant to the certificate filed in accordance with subsection (c) of section 9-391 or the statement of consent filed in accordance with section 9-409, as applicable, endorse the same as having been so verified and corrected and use the same in the preparation of the ballots for the primary. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the municipal offices of state senator and state representative.

Sec. 9-435. Notice of primary; municipal office or town committee members. Except as provided in sections 9-418 and 9-419, if in any municipality, within the time specified in section 9-405, a candidacy for nomination by a political party to any municipal office or for election as a town committee member is filed with the registrar, in conformity with the provisions of sections 9-405 to 9-412, inclusive, and section 9-414, by or on behalf of any person other than party-endorsed candidates, the registrar shall forthwith after the deadline for certification of party-endorsed candidates notify the clerk of such municipality that a primary is to be held by such party for the nomination of such party to such office or for the election by such party of town committee members, as the case may be. Such notice shall include a list of all the proposed candidates, those endorsed as well as those filing candidacies, together with their addresses and the titles of the offices or positions for which they are candidates. In the case of a primary for justices of the peace, such notice shall also contain the complete ballot designation of each slate pursuant to subsection (h) of section 9-437. The clerk of the municipality shall thereupon cause such notice to be published forthwith in a newspaper having a general circulation in such municipality, together with a statement of the date upon which the primary is to be held, the hours during which the polls shall be open and the location of the polls. The clerk of the municipality shall also file such notice with the Secretary of the State not later than three business days after receipt of such notice from the registrar of voters. The clerk shall forthwith publish any change in the proposed candidates, listing such changes.

Sec. 9-436. Use, number and adjustment of voting tabulators; voting booths; conditions and rules for use of paper ballots; qualification, appointment and training of primary officials. (a) Voting tabulators shall be used at each primary, provided, (1) if, because of the number of offices and positions to be voted upon at a primary, there is an insufficient number of vertical columns on any ballot to be used in a municipality, the vote in such municipality at such primary for such offices or positions as the Secretary of the State determines shall be taken by paper ballots, and (2) if, because of the number of candidates for any office or position to be voted upon at a primary, there is an insufficient number of horizontal rows with respect to such office or position on any ballot to be used in the municipality, the vote in such municipality at such primary for such office or position shall be taken by paper ballots. More than one voting tabulator may be used in any voting district if the registrar so prescribes. The registrar shall furnish a number of voting booths sufficient to provide a voting booth for each five hundred or fraction of five hundred electors eligible to vote at such primary in the municipality or voting district, as the case may be, and other necessary equipment. In each polling place in which a party has authorized unaffiliated electors, pursuant to section 9-431, to vote for some but not all offices to be contested at the primary, a separate voting tabulator shall be used for such unaffiliated electors and the registrar shall separately furnish one voting booth for each five hundred or fraction of five hundred enrolled party members and one voting booth for each five hundred or fraction of five hundred unaffiliated electors authorized to vote at such primary in such district. In determining such number of electors, enrolled party members or unaffiliated electors, the registrar shall not count the names on the enrollment or registry lists of seventy-five per cent of such electors, unaffiliated electors or enrolled party members who reside in institutions, as defined in section 9-159q. The registrar may provide more than the minimum number of voting booths required by this section.

(b) Each tabulator shall be so arranged that the elector may vote for as many persons for nomination or election to each office or position as there are persons to be nominated or elected, as the case may be, and no more, and so that the elector may vote for individual candidates; provided the vote for justices of the peace shall be by slate, as provided in section 9-443.

(c) The registrar shall appoint from among the enrolled party members in the state, to serve in each polling place, the primary polling place officials, who shall consist of one moderator, at least one, but not more than two official checkers, not more than two challengers if the registrar deems it necessary, and at least one and not more than two ballot clerks and at least one but not more than two voting tabulator tenders for each tabulator in use at such primary and, in towns with two or more voting districts at least one and not more than two assistant registrars, provided (1) in the case of either a municipality or a political subdivision holding a primary, if no enrolled party member can be found or no such person consents to serve as a moderator, the registrar may appoint any elector who resides in the state and is a certified moderator to be moderator, (2) in the case of a political subdivision holding a primary, if an insufficient number of enrolled party members who reside in the state consent to serve as checkers, challengers, voting tabulator tenders or assistant registrars, the registrar may appoint any elector who resides in the state to be a checker, challenger, voting tabulator tender or assistant registrar, and (3) in the case of either a municipality or a political subdivision holding more than one primary on the same day for different political parties, one certified moderator may serve as moderator for both primaries, if the registrars of voters so agree. If unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote for some but not all of the offices to be contested at the primary, the registrar shall appoint two additional checkers to check the list of unaffiliated electors who are authorized to vote on the separate tabulators. If unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties in the same polling place, whether for some or for all offices to be contested at the primary, each such registrar shall appoint two additional checkers to check the list of unaffiliated electors who are authorized to vote in either such primary.

(d) The registrar shall designate one of the moderators so appointed by the registrar to be head moderator or shall appoint as head moderator an elector who is not also moderator of a polling place and who shall be deemed a primary official. The registrar may also appoint a deputy head moderator to assist the head moderator in the performance of the head moderator’s duties. A deputy head moderator shall also be deemed to be a primary official. Each registrar’s appointments of primary polling place officials, except moderators of polling places, and of designees to conduct supervised voting of absentee ballots pursuant to sections 9-159q and 9-159r shall be divided equally, as nearly as may be, between designees of the party-endorsed candidates and designees of one or more of the contestants, provided, if a party-endorsed candidate is a member of a party other than the one holding the primary, such primary officials shall be enrolled party members of the party holding the primary. Names of designees and alternate designees for such positions shall be submitted in writing by party-endorsed candidates and contestants to the registrar not later than twenty-one days before the primary and, if such lists are not so presented, all such appointments shall be made by the registrar but in the above-mentioned proportion. The registrar shall notify all such candidates and contestants of their right to submit a list of designees under this section. The registrars shall train each prospective primary poll worker to perform in the poll worker’s designated position. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the registrar shall appoint as moderators only persons who are certified to serve as moderators or alternate moderators pursuant to section 9-229, unless there is an insufficient number of such persons who are enrolled members of the registrar’s party holding the primary, in which case the registrar may appoint a new moderator in accordance with section 9-229, but only to the extent of such insufficiency. Primary central counting moderators and absentee ballot counters shall also be deemed primary officials. No primary official shall perform services for any candidate at the primary on primary day.

(e) If paper ballots are required for the vote on any office or position in a municipality, the clerk of the municipality, in consultation with the registrars of voters, shall print a paper ballot for use in such primary for nomination to such office or election to such position. The Secretary of the State shall prescribe the form of such paper ballot. The Secretary of the State may prescribe general rules for the use of paper ballots in any primary, including the duties of officials at the polls with regard to the same, the marking of the same and the counting of the same. The procedure to be followed when paper ballots are so used shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the procedure applicable to voting tabulators provided in this chapter and to the law governing the use of paper ballots in regular elections and such rules shall have the force and effect of law. Chapter 54 shall not apply to rules made pursuant to this section.

(f) The provisions of section 9-258 concerning additional lines of electors at a polling place, and of section 9-258a concerning two shifts of officials at a polling place, shall apply to a primary. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of the general statutes relating to the use of voting tabulators at regular elections shall apply as nearly as may be to the use of voting tabulators at primaries.

Sec. 9-436a. Candidate checkers. Each group of candidates whose names appear in one single row on the official ballot in a voting district for a primary to be held by a political party may designate, for each line of electors voting in such primary at such voting district, not more than two electors enrolled in such party in the town in which such voting district is located, to serve as candidate checkers on behalf of the candidates whose names appear in such row, provided a registrar may establish two or more shifts for candidate checkers, in which case each such group of candidates may designate the candidate checkers for each shift. No primary official shall perform the functions of a candidate checker pursuant to this section. The candidates shall submit a list of the names of such designees to the registrar of voters for such party not later than forty-eight hours before the primary. The registrar shall notify the candidates of this obligation. Such registrar of voters shall verify that each such designee is enrolled in such party in such town and shall appoint in each voting district not more than two such designees, for each line, to serve each such row for each shift. The registrar shall, at the request of such a group of candidates, change such designations at any time before the closing of the polls on the day of a primary. No candidate for nomination in such primary may be a candidate checker at such primary. The registrar of voters shall furnish each candidate checker one copy of the list or lists of electors eligible to vote in such primary. Candidate checkers may remain within the polling place for the purpose of checking their own copy of such list to indicate the names of electors who have voted. Such checkers may enter and leave the restricted area surrounding the polling place during the hours of voting for the purpose of taking such information outside said area. If any such candidate checker interferes with the orderly process of voting or attempts to influence any elector, he shall be evicted by the moderator. A candidate checker appointed pursuant to this section may receive compensation from the municipality in which the primary is held.

Sec. 9-437. Form of ballot. Position of candidates’ names on ballot. Sample ballots. Voting instructions and information. (a) At the top of each ballot shall be printed the name of the party holding the primary, and each ballot shall contain the names of all candidates to be voted upon at such primary, except the names of justices of the peace. The vertical columns shall be headed by the designation of the office or position and instructions as to the number for which an elector may vote for such office or position, in the same manner as a ballot used in a regular election. The name of each candidate for town committee or municipal office, except for the municipal offices of state senator and state representative, shall appear on the ballot as authorized by each candidate. The name of each candidate for state or district office or for the municipal offices of state senator or state representative shall appear on the ballot as it appears on the certificate or statement of consent filed under section 9-388, 9-391, 9-400 or 9-409. On the first horizontal line, below the designation of the office or position in each column, shall be placed the name of the party-endorsed candidate for such office or position, such name to be marked with an asterisk; provided, where more than one person may be voted for for any office or position, the names of the party-endorsed candidates shall be arranged in alphabetical order from left to right under the appropriate office or position designation and shall continue, if necessary, from left to right on the next lower line or lines. In the case of no party endorsement there shall be inserted the designation “no party endorsement” at the head of the vertical column, immediately beneath the designation of the office or position. On the horizontal lines below the line for party-endorsed candidates shall be placed, in the appropriate columns, the names of all other candidates as hereinafter provided.

(b) (1) In the case of two or more such candidates for the same state or district office, precedence as to row shall be determined by the alphabetical order of the surnames of such candidates, except as provided under subdivision (2) of this subsection. (2) If a single certificate or a single petition has been filed under subsection (a) of section 9-400 on behalf of two or more candidates and proposing one candidate for each state office to be contested at such primary, a single row shall be used for the names of such candidates and precedence as to row between such certificates and petitions shall be determined by the Secretary of the State by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public. The names of all other candidates for state office shall be placed in the appropriate columns in alphabetical order on the rows below the row or rows used for candidates whose names are contained in such a single certificate, certificates, single petition or petitions.

(c) Whenever the position of candidates or slates on the ballot under the provisions of this section is affected by the time or order of filing of primary petitions, and the registrar of voters certifies in writing to the town clerk that (1) two or more of the petitions to which such provisions apply were filed simultaneously, or (2) the registrar is unable to determine the time or order of filing of two or more such petitions, then for purposes of this section the order of filing of the petitions specified in the registrar’s certification shall be determined by the town clerk by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public.

(d) In the case of candidates for municipal office, a single row shall be used for the candidates whose names are contained in one primary petition, provided such petition proposes at least two candidates and the full number of candidates for each office to be contested at such primary as the party may nominate or choose thereat, precedence as to row being given to the candidates whose names appear in the first such petition filed, and so on in descending order.

(e) The names of candidates for town committee members which are contained in one primary petition shall be placed in a separate row, precedence as to row being given to the candidates whose names appear in petitions in the order determined in accordance with this subsection. Petitions filed by nine o’clock a.m. on the first business day following the day on which petitions become available shall be given precedence as to row based on the number of valid signatures filed, in descending order from the greatest to the least. Petitions filed after nine o’clock a.m. on the first business day following the day on which petitions become available shall be given precedence as to row based on the order in which they are filed, if such petitions are filed during the regular business hours of the office of the registrars of voters or during any different hours for said office required under the general statutes. Such order of precedence shall be determined separately for petitions proposing the full number of candidates which the party may choose at the primary and for petitions proposing fewer than such full number of candidates, and provided further that petitions proposing such full number of candidates shall have precedence as to row over petitions proposing fewer than such full number of candidates.

(f) Within such row or rows for those whose names are contained in one primary petition, where more than one person may be voted for any municipal office or position, such names shall be arranged in alphabetical order from left to right under the appropriate municipal office or position designation. The names of all other candidates shall be placed in the appropriate columns in alphabetical order on the horizontal lines below the line or lines used for candidates whose names are contained in one primary petition, if any; provided where more than one person may be voted for for any office or position, such names shall be arranged in alphabetical order from left to right under the appropriate office or position designation and shall continue, if necessary, from left to right on the next lower line or lines.

(g) The name of each candidate shall appear on the ballot in such position as is hereinbefore required, and such position shall be determined as of the final time for filing candidacies specified in section 9-400 or 9-405. Vacancies in candidacies thereafter occurring shall not cause the position of any candidate’s name on the ballot to be changed to another position. The name of any candidate whose candidacy has been vacated shall not appear on the ballot. If such a vacancy results in the cancellation of a primary for any office, the office column or columns where the names of the candidates and the title of the office would have appeared if the primary for that office had not been cancelled shall be left blank. If a vacancy occurs in a party-endorsed candidacy and a person is chosen in accordance with section 9-426 or 9-428 to fill the resulting vacancy in candidacy, the name of the person so chosen shall appear in the same position as that in which the name of the vacating candidate appeared. The municipal clerk shall have the ballot prepared so that the name of any candidate who has vacated such candidate’s candidacy is deleted and so that the name of any candidate chosen to fill a vacancy in candidacy appears in the same position as that in which the vacated candidacy appeared. The municipal clerk may use blank or printed stickers, as the case may be, in preparing the ballots if the ballots were printed before the occurrence of the vacancy in candidacy or the selection of a candidate to fill a vacancy in candidacy. The order of the offices and positions shall be as prescribed by the Secretary of the State.

(h) The names of candidates for election as justices of the peace shall not appear on the ballot. A single vertical column shall be used for all the candidates for election to the office of justice of the peace of a particular town. The vertical column used for justices of the peace shall be headed by the words “justices of the peace”. On the first horizontal line in the vertical column used for justice of the peace shall be placed the words “party-endorsed slate”. On the second and succeeding horizontal lines, in the order of the time of filing, shall be placed the words “challenge slate”, preceded, in quotation marks, by the letter designating such line. The municipal clerk shall prepare a list of the names of all candidates on each slate for election as justices of the peace, including the complete ballot designation of each such slate as provided in this subsection, which shall be posted in the polling places by each moderator for the inspection of the electors prior to voting.

(i) The names of candidates for nomination to any elective office or for election as members of a town committee, as the case may be, shall be separated from each other by a light line, but shall not be separated from each other on the ballot by names of candidates for any other office or position or by columns used for any other office or position; and the column or columns used for each office or position shall be separated from the columns used for other offices or positions by a heavy line.

(j) All ballots used at a primary shall be prepared by the clerk of the municipality in which such primary is held and shall be printed at the expense of the municipality. Each municipality shall provide for all polling places:

(1) At least forty-eight hours before the primary, such clerk shall have sample ballots for general distribution, which shall contain the offices or positions and names of candidates to be voted upon. Each such sample ballot shall also include printed instructions approved by the Secretary of the State concerning the use of the voting tabulator and information concerning the date of the primary and the hours during which polling places will be open. Such clerk shall have available for distribution such number of sample ballots as such clerk deems advisable, but in no event less than three which shall be posted inside the polling place so as to be visible to those within the polling place during the whole day of the primary. At least one of such sample ballots shall be posted so as to be visible to an elector being instructed on the demonstrator device, pursuant to section 9-260. If paper ballots are used in any primary, such sample paper ballots shall be overprinted with the word “Sample”;

(2) Instructions on how to cast a provisional ballot, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State;

(3) Instructions for mail-in registrants and first-time voters who register to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State;

(4) General information concerning voting rights under federal and Connecticut laws, including information on the right of an individual to cast a provisional ballot and instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if such rights are alleged to have been violated, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State; and

(5) General information on federal and state laws concerning prohibitions on acts of fraud and misrepresentation, as prescribed by the Secretary of the State.

(k) When unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote for some but not all offices to be contested at a primary, (1) separate voting tabulators shall be used for the unaffiliated electors in a voting district, (2) the ballot shall indicate that it is a partial ballot for unaffiliated electors, (3) the ballot shall contain only the offices and names of candidates for which such electors may vote, with blank columns left wherever necessary to assure that each candidate’s position is the same as on the full ballot for such primary in the voting district, and (4) three sample ballots showing such partial ballot shall also be posted inside the polling place so as to be visible to such unaffiliated electors.

Sec. 9-438. Hours and places of voting. In each municipality or voting district, the polling places for primaries held under sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, shall be the same as those used for the election to be held. When unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, both parties shall hold their primaries in the same room of each such polling place. On the day of the primary, the polls shall remain open for voting from six o’clock a.m. until eight o’clock p.m.

Sec. 9-439. Duties of officials. The moderator in each polling place shall have charge of the primary held therein. The other officials shall have, as nearly as may be, the same duties as at a regular election. The checkers at each polling place shall check the name of each elector on the list or lists of eligible electors of the municipality or the voting district, as the case may be, when the elector offers himself to vote. All officials serving at any primary shall be sworn to the faithful performance of their duties.

Sec. 9-439a. Remedy for denial of right to vote. Any elector qualified to vote at any primary and offering so to vote who is denied the right to vote because his name has been checked off on the check list in use at his polling place, but who claims that he has not in fact voted or offered himself to vote, shall be permitted to vote upon signing and furnishing to the moderator a statement, under penalties of false statement, that he has neither offered himself to vote nor voted at said primary. Such statement shall be in form substantially as follows:

To the Moderator of …. (Polling Place) of …. (Party)

I, …. (Name), of …. (Street Address), of the (City) (Town) (Borough) of …., do hereby state, under penalties of false statement, that (1) I am an elector in said municipality, (2) I am qualified to vote in the primary of said Party being held in said municipality on this date and (3) I have not prior to this time offered myself to vote or voted at said primary.

…. (a.m.) (p.m.) (Exact Time of Day)

Dated at …., Connecticut, this …. day of …., 20…

… (Signature)

… (Address)

Received at …. (a.m.) (p.m.) on this …. day of …., 20.., by …. (Signature), Moderator of …. (Polling Place)

Sec. 9-439b. Penalty for false statement. Any person wilfully making a false statement in a statement which he signs and furnishes to a moderator of a primary under section 9-439a shall be guilty of false statement, as provided in section 9-8, and shall be subject to the penalties provided for false statement.

Sec. 9-440. Moderators to make returns. Upon the closing of the polls at any primary held under sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, the moderator, in the presence of the other officials, shall immediately lock the voting tabulators against voting and shall then proceed to ascertain, record and announce the result in the manner provided by law for ascertaining, recording and announcing the result in regular elections. The election officials shall execute certificates and returns similar to those required in regular elections. The moderator in each town not divided into voting districts, and the head moderator in each town divided into voting districts, shall transmit the results of the vote for each office contested at any such primary in the same manner and within the same time as provided under section 9-314 in an election for such office. The late filing fee provided under section 9-314 shall apply to late filing of results of primaries for state or district office. In the case of primaries for state or district offices, the Secretary of the State shall forthwith cause to be tabulated the result of the votes cast in the several municipalities in which such primaries have been held and shall publicly declare the result thereof, and a certificate attesting thereto shall be entered in the Secretary’s records.

Sec. 9-441. Compensation of registrars and municipal clerks. For the performance of the duties imposed by this chapter, each registrar and deputy registrar actually engaged therein and each municipal clerk shall receive such reasonable compensation from the municipality as is approved by the selectmen of the town, the warden and burgesses of the borough or the common council of the city or the consolidated town and city, as the case may be; and all necessary expenses incurred by registrars and municipal clerks under the provisions of said sections shall be paid by the municipality.

Sec. 9-442. When party has no registrar. In any municipality where there is no registrar affiliated with a political party holding a primary under the provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive, all the powers and duties conferred by said sections upon registrars shall be exercised by both registrars of voters acting jointly. In any borough where there is no registrar affiliated with a political party holding a primary under the provisions of said sections, all the powers and duties conferred upon registrars shall be exercised by the borough clerk.

Sec. 9-443. Votes for justices of the peace. The vote for the party-endorsed slate or for any contesting slate of justices of the peace shall operate as a vote for all of the candidates on such slate and shall be counted as such, and there shall be no split-ticket voting for justices of the peace.

Sec. 9-444. Determination of nominee, town committee members or justices of the peace. In the case of a primary for state or district office, each person certified by the Secretary of the State as provided in section 9-440, to have received the greatest number of votes of the electors eligible to vote in a primary for any office shall be deemed to have been chosen as the nominee of such party to such office. In the case of a primary for a municipal office, the moderator, or the head moderator, as the case may be, shall declare nominated the person having the greatest number of votes for such office and, if more than one person is to be nominated for the same office, he shall declare nominated the persons having the greatest number of votes for such office up to the number to be chosen. In the case of a primary for members of a town committee, such moderator shall declare elected the persons having the greatest number of votes for such positions up to the number to be chosen for such positions. In the case of a primary for justice of the peace, such moderator shall declare elected each person on the slate having the greatest number of votes for such offices. In all primaries, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to nominate or elect, as the case may be.

Sec. 9-445. Recanvass on close vote. Forthwith after a primary for nomination to a municipal office or for election of members of a town committee, or forthwith upon tabulation of the vote for a state or district office by the Secretary of the State when the plurality of an elected or nominated candidate over the vote for a defeated candidate receiving the next highest number of votes was either (1) less than a vote equivalent to one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes cast at the primary for the office or position but not more than one thousand votes, or (2) less than twenty votes, there shall be a recanvass of the returns of the voting tabulator or voting tabulators used in such primary for such office or position unless within one day after the primary, in the case of nomination to a municipal office or for election of members of a town committee, or prior to the time the Secretary of the State notifies the town clerk of state and district offices which qualify for an automatic recanvass, the defeated candidate or defeated candidates, as the case may be, for such office or position file a written statement waiving the right to such recanvass with the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office or town committee, or with the Secretary of the State in the case of a state or district office. In the case of a state or district office, the Secretary of the State, upon tabulation of the votes for such an office, shall notify the town clerks in the state or district, as the case may be, of the state and district offices which qualify for an automatic recanvass and shall also notify each candidate for any such office. When a recanvass is to be held, the municipal clerk shall promptly notify the moderator, as defined in section 9-311, who shall proceed forthwith to recanvass such returns of the office in question in the same manner as is provided for a recanvass in regular elections, except that the recanvass officials shall be divided equally, as nearly as may be, among the candidates for such office. In addition to the notice required under section 9-311, the moderator shall, before such recanvass is made, give notice in writing of the time and place of such recanvass to each candidate for a municipal office which qualifies for an automatic recanvass under this section. For purposes of this section, “the total number of votes cast at the primary for the office or position” means, in the case of multiple openings for the same office or position, the total number of electors checked as having voted in the primary in the state, district, municipality or political subdivision, as the case may be. When a recanvass of the returns for an office for which there are multiple openings is required by the provisions of this section, the returns for all candidates for all openings for the office shall be recanvassed. Nothing in this section shall preclude the right to judicial proceedings on behalf of such defeated candidate under any provision of this chapter.

Sec. 9-446. Tie vote. (a) If two or more candidates obtain the same and the highest total number of votes at a primary held to nominate candidates for a state or district office or the municipal office of state senator or state representative, and a tie vote thereby occurs, any of such candidates, or the state chairman of the political party, may apply for a recanvass of the returns in the manner provided in section 9-445. If no such application is made, or if any such recanvass results in a tie vote, such primary shall stand adjourned for three weeks at the same hour at which the first primary was held. Ballots of the same form and description as described in section 9-437 shall be used in the primary on such adjourned day, and the primary shall be conducted in the same manner as on the first day, except that the votes shall be cast for such office only and may only be cast for a candidate who received such a tie number of votes in the primary on the first day. Ballots for the primary on such adjourned day shall be provided forthwith by the registrars of voters of each municipality wherein such primary stands adjourned, and each clerk of the municipality shall furnish the Secretary of the State with an accurate list of all candidates to be voted for at such adjourned primary. The clerk of each municipality in the state or the district, whichever is applicable, wherein such primary so stands adjourned shall, at least three days prior to the day of such adjourned primary, give notice of the day, hours, place and purpose thereof by publishing such notice in a newspaper published in such municipality or having a circulation therein. No such primary shall be held if prior to such primary all but one of the candidates for such office die, withdraw their names or for any reason become disqualified to hold such office, and, in such event, the remaining candidate shall be deemed to be lawfully voted upon as the candidate for such office. No withdrawal shall be valid until the candidate who has withdrawn has filed a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate with the Secretary of the State. When such a primary is required to be held under the provisions of this section and prior to such primary all but one of the candidates for such office die, withdraw their names or for any reason become disqualified to hold such office, the Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify the registrars of voters of such fact, and shall forthwith direct the registrars that such primary shall not be held. In the case of a multiple-opening office only the names of those candidates whose votes are equal shall be placed on the ballot of the adjourned primary. If such second primary results in a tie vote with two or more candidates receiving the same highest total number of votes, the Secretary of the State, in the presence of not fewer than three disinterested persons, and after notification to the candidates obtaining the same number of votes and the chairperson of the state central committee of the party holding the primary of the time when and the place where such tie vote is to be dissolved, shall dissolve such tie vote by lot. The Secretary of the State shall execute a certificate attesting to the result of the dissolution of such tie vote, and the person so certified or the slate so certified as having been chosen by lot shall be deemed to have received a plurality of the votes cast and shall be deemed to have been chosen as the nominee of such party to such office.

(b) If two or more candidates obtain the same number of votes at a primary held to nominate candidates for a municipal office, other than the municipal office of state senator or state representative, or to elect members of a town committee, or if two or more slates of candidates obtain the same number of votes at a primary held for justices of the peace, and a tie vote thereby occurs, any of such candidates, or the town chairman of the political party, may apply for a recanvass of the returns in the manner provided in section 9-445. If no such application is made, or if any such recanvass results in a tie vote, such primary shall stand adjourned for three weeks at the same hour at which the first primary was held. Ballots of the same form and description as described in section 9-437 shall be used in the primary on such adjourned day, and the primary shall be conducted in the same manner as on the first day, except that the votes shall be cast for such office only. Ballots for the primary on such adjourned day shall be provided forthwith by the registrars of voters of the municipality wherein such primary stands adjourned, and the clerk of the municipality shall furnish the Secretary of the State with an accurate list of all candidates to be voted for at such adjourned primary. The clerk of the municipality wherein such primary so stands adjourned shall, at least three days prior to the day of such adjourned primary, give notice of the day, hours, place and purpose thereof by publishing such notice in a newspaper published in such municipality or having a circulation therein. No such primary shall be held if prior to such primary all but one of the candidates for such office die, withdraw their names or for any reason become disqualified to hold such office, and, in such event, the remaining candidate shall be deemed to be lawfully voted upon as the candidate for such office. No withdrawal shall be valid until the candidate who has withdrawn has filed a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate with the municipal clerk. When such a primary is required to be held under the provisions of this section and prior to such primary all but one of the candidates for such office die, withdraw their names or for any reason become disqualified to hold such office, the Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify the municipal clerk of such fact, and shall forthwith direct the clerk that such primary shall not be held. In the case of a multiple-opening office only the names of those candidates whose votes are equal shall be placed on the ballot of the adjourned primary. If such second primary results in a tie vote, the registrar, in the presence of not fewer than three disinterested persons, and after notification to the candidates obtaining the same number of votes and the chairperson of the town committee of the party holding the primary of the time when and the place where such tie vote is to be dissolved, shall dissolve such tie vote by lot. The registrar shall execute a certificate attesting to the result of the dissolution of such tie vote, and the person so certified or the slate so certified as having been chosen by lot shall be deemed to have received a plurality of the votes cast and shall be deemed to have been chosen as the nominee of such party to such office.

Sec. 9-447. Unlocking of voting tabulators. The voting tabulators used in any primary shall not be unlocked for a period of fourteen days from the date of the primary, unless otherwise ordered by any judge of the Superior Court or by the State Elections Enforcement Commission. If a contest or investigation is pending, such tabulators shall not be unlocked for such longer period of time as may be ordered by any judge of the Superior Court, unless a recanvass has been applied for under the provisions of section 9-445 or unless an order has been issued by the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Sec. 9-448. Recount of paper ballots. The provisions of sections 9-445, 9-446 and 9-447 shall apply to any primary at which paper ballots are used, and such paper ballots shall be recounted in any situation in which a recanvass would be held thereunder.

Sec. 9-449. Transferred to Chapter 149, Sec. 9-329a.

Sec. 9-450. Vacancy elections. Nominations by major parties for any state, district or municipal office to be filled under the provisions of any law relating to elections to fill vacancies, unless otherwise provided therein, shall be made in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-382 to 9-450, inclusive.

(1) (A) In the case of nominations for representatives in Congress and judges of probate in probate districts composed of two or more towns, provided for in sections 9-212 and 9-218, the delegates to the convention for the last state election shall be the delegates for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill such vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the delegation from any town, political subdivision or district, such vacancy may be filled by the town committee of the town in which the delegate resided. Endorsements by political party conventions pursuant to this subsection may be made and certified at any time after the resignation or death creating such vacancy and not later than the fiftieth day before the day of the election. No such endorsement shall be effective until the presiding officer and secretary of any district convention have certified the endorsement to the Secretary of the State.

(B) If such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state or municipal election in November of any year, no primary shall be held for the nomination of any political party and the party-endorsed candidate so selected shall be deemed, for the purposes of this chapter, the person certified by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-444 as the nominee of such party.

(C) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, if a candidacy for nomination is filed by or on behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate not later than fourteen days after the party endorsement and in conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, a primary shall be held in each municipality of the district and each part of a municipality which is a component part of the district, to determine the nominee of such party for such office, except as provided in section 9-416a. Such primary shall be held on the day that the writs of election issued by the Governor, pursuant to section 9-212, ordered the election to be held, and new writs of election shall be issued by the Governor in accordance with section 9-212.

(D) Unless the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this subdivision apply, petition forms for candidacies for nomination by a political party pursuant to this subdivision shall be available from the Secretary of the State beginning on the day following the issuance of writs of election by the Governor pursuant to section 9-212, except when a primary has already been held, and the provisions of section 9-404a shall otherwise apply to such petitions.

(E) The registry lists used pursuant to this subsection shall be the last-completed lists, as provided in sections 9-172a and 9-172b.

(2) In the case of judges of probate in probate districts composed of a single town, the day named for the election shall be not earlier than the one hundred fifteenth day following the day on which the writ of election is issued, and the times specified in sections 9-391, 9-405 and 9-423 shall be applicable.

(3) (A) In the case of nominations for senators in Congress provided for in section 9-211, the delegates to the convention for the last state election shall be the delegates for the purpose of selecting a candidate to fill such vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the delegation from any town or political subdivision, such vacancy may be filled by the town committee of the town in which the delegate resided. Endorsements by political party conventions pursuant to this subsection may be made and certified at any time after the resignation or death creating such vacancy and not later than the fifty-sixth day before the day of the primary. No such endorsement shall be effective until the presiding officer and secretary of any state convention have certified the endorsement to the Secretary of the State.

(B) If such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a regular state or municipal election in November of any year, no primary shall be held for the nomination of any political party and the party-endorsed candidate so selected shall be deemed, for the purposes of this chapter, the person certified by the Secretary of the State, pursuant to section 9-444, as the nominee of such party. In such an event, endorsements by political party conventions shall be made not later than sixty days prior to the election.

(C) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, if a candidacy for nomination is filed by or on behalf of any person other than a party-endorsed candidate not later than fourteen days after the party endorsement and in conformity with the provisions of section 9-400, a primary shall be held on the fifty-sixth day prior to the day of the election in each municipality to determine the nominee of such party for such office, except as provided in section 9-416a.

(D) Unless the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this subdivision apply, petition forms for candidacies for nomination by a political party pursuant to this subdivision shall be available from the Secretary of the State beginning on the day following the issuance of writs of election by the Governor, pursuant to section 9-211, except when a primary has already been held and the provisions of section 9-404a shall otherwise apply to such petitions.

(E) The registry lists used pursuant to this subsection shall be the last-completed lists, as provided in sections 9-172a and 9-172b.

(4) The times specified in sections 9-391, 9-405 and 9-423 shall be applicable to any special town election held to fill a vacancy in any town office under subsection (b) of section 9-164. Except as provided under subsection (c) of section 9-164, any election held to fill a vacancy in any municipal office under the provisions of any special act shall be held not earlier than the one hundred twenty-seventh day following the day upon which warning of such election is issued, and the times specified in sections 9-391, 9-405 and 9-423 shall be applicable.

Sec. 9-450a. Special elections in 1974. Section 9-450a is repealed.

B

MINOR PARTIES

Sec. 9-451. Minor parties. The nomination by a minor party of any candidate for office, including an office established after the last-preceding election, and the selection in a municipality by a minor party of town committee members or delegates to conventions may be made in the manner prescribed in the rules of such party, or alterations or amendments thereto, filed with the Secretary of the State in accordance with section 9-374.

Sec. 9-452. Time for making nominations. Certification. Late certification void. All minor parties nominating candidates for any elective office shall make such nominations and certify and file a list of such nominations, as required by this section, not later than the sixty-second day prior to the day of the election at which such candidates are to be voted for. A list of nominees in printed or typewritten form that includes each candidate’s name as authorized by each candidate to appear on the ballot, the signature of each candidate, the full street address of each candidate and the title and district of the office for which each candidate is nominated shall be certified by the presiding officer of the committee, meeting or other authority making such nomination and shall be filed by such presiding officer with the Secretary of the State, in the case of any state, district or municipal office to be voted upon at a state election, or with the clerk of the municipality, in the case of any municipal office to be voted upon at a municipal election, not later than the sixty-second day prior to the day of the election. The registrars of voters of such municipality shall promptly verify and correct the names on any such list filed with him, or the names of nominees forwarded to the clerk of the municipality by the Secretary of the State, in accordance with the registry list of such municipality and endorse the same as having been so verified and corrected. For purposes of this section, a list of nominations shall be deemed to be filed when it is received by the Secretary of the State or clerk of the municipality, as appropriate. If such certificate of a party’s nomination is not received by the Secretary of the State or clerk of the municipality, as appropriate, by such time, such certificate shall be invalid and such party, for purposes of sections 9-460, 9-461 and 9-462, shall be deemed to have neither made nor certified any nomination of any candidate for such office. A candidacy for nomination by a minor party to a district or municipal office may be filed on behalf of any person whose name appears on the last-completed registry list of the district or municipality represented by such office, as the case may be. A candidacy for nomination by a minor party to a state office may be filed on behalf of any person whose name appears on the last-completed registry list of the state.

Sec. 9-452a. Notice of party meetings. Not later than five days before a minor party holds a party meeting to nominate a candidate for public office, the presiding officer of such meeting shall give written notice of the date, time, location and purpose of the meeting to, in the case of a municipal office, the town clerk of the municipality served by such office, or in the case of a state office or district office, the Secretary of the State. Concomitantly, the presiding officer of such meeting shall cause the written notice of such meeting to be published in a newspaper with a general circulation in the applicable town for such office. As used in this section, the terms “minor party”, “state office”, “district office” and “municipal office” have the meanings assigned to such terms in section 9-372.

C

PETITIONING PARTIES

Sec. 9-453. Petition requirements. Section 9-453 is repealed.

Sec. 9-453a. Petition form. Each petition for nomination for elective office shall be on a form prescribed and provided by the Secretary of the State. Such form shall include, at the top of the form and in bold print, the following:

WARNING

IT IS A CRIME TO SIGN THIS PETITION

IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON

WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO

AND YOU MAY NOT SIGN THIS PETITION

IF YOU ARE NOT AN ELECTOR.

Such form shall provide lines for the signatures, street addresses, dates of birth and the printing of the names of signators. A signator shall print his name on said line following the signing of the signator’s name. Before issuing a petition form, the secretary shall, above the space provided for signatures, type or print the name and address of the candidate, the office sought and the election and the date thereof. The secretary shall give to any person requesting such form one or more petition pages, suitable for duplication, as the secretary deems necessary. If the person is requesting the form on behalf of an indigent candidate or a group of indigent candidates listed on the same nominating petition, the secretary shall give the person the number of original pages that he requests or the number which the secretary deems sufficient. An original petition page may be duplicated by or on behalf of the candidate or candidates listed on the page and signatures may be obtained on such duplicates. The duplicates shall be filed in the same manner and shall be subject to the same requirements as original petition pages.

Sec. 9-453b. Issuance of nominating petition forms; restrictions. Application requirements. Candidacy filing requirements. The Secretary of the State shall not issue any nominating petition forms for a candidate for an office to be filled at a regular election to be held in any year prior to the first business day of such year. The Secretary shall not issue any nominating petition forms unless the person requesting the nominating petition forms makes a written application for such forms, which application shall contain the following: (1) The name or names of the candidates to appear on such nominating petition, compared by the town clerk of the town of residence of each candidate with the candidate’s name as it appears on the last-completed registry list of such town, and verified and corrected by such town clerk or in the case of a newly admitted elector whose name does not appear on the last-completed registry list, the town clerk shall compare the candidate’s name as it appears on the candidate’s application for admission and verify and correct it accordingly; (2) a signed statement by each such candidate that the candidate consents to the placing of the candidate’s name on such petition; and (3) the party designation, if any. An applicant for petition forms who does not wish to specify a party designation shall so indicate on the application for such forms and the application, if so marked, shall not be amended in this respect. No application made after November 3, 1981, shall contain any party designation unless a reservation of such party designation with the Secretary is in effect for all of the offices included in the application or unless the party designation is the same as the name of a minor party which is qualified for a different office or offices on the same ballot as the office or offices included in the application. The Secretary shall not issue such forms (A) unless the application for forms on behalf of a candidate for the office of presidential elector is accompanied by the names of the candidates for President and Vice-President whom the candidate for the office of presidential elector represents and includes the consent of such candidates for President and Vice-President; (B) unless the application for forms on behalf of Governor or Lieutenant Governor is accompanied by the name of the candidate for the other office and includes the consent of both such candidates; (C) if petition forms have previously been issued on behalf of the same candidate for the same office unless the candidate files a written statement of withdrawal of the candidate’s previous candidacy with the Secretary; and (D) unless the application meets the requirements of this section. A candidacy for nomination by nominating petition to a district or municipal office may be filed on behalf of any person whose name appears on the last-completed registry list of the district or municipality represented by such office, as the case may be. A candidacy for nomination by nominating petition to a state office may be filed on behalf of any person whose name appears on the last-completed registry list of the state.

Sec. 9-453c. When single petition may be used. The names of any or all candidates under the same party designation for state offices, as defined by section 9-372, and for the office of presidential elector may be included in one nominating petition, but the name of no candidate for any other office shall be included therein, provided the names of any or all candidates under the same party designation for at-large municipal offices to be filled at a municipal election may be included in one nominating petition.

Sec. 9-453d. Number of signatures. Each petition shall be signed by a number of qualified electors equal to the lesser of (1) one per cent of the votes cast for the same office or offices at the last-preceding election, or the number of qualified electors prescribed by section 9-380 with regard to newly-created offices, or (2) seven thousand five hundred. “Qualified electors” means electors eligible to vote for all the candidates proposed by the petition. “Votes cast for the same office at the last-preceding election” means, in the case of multiple openings for the same office, the total number of electors checked as having voted at the last-preceding election at which such office appeared on the ballot.

Sec. 9-453e. Circulator. Each circulator of a nominating petition page shall be a United States citizen, at least eighteen years of age and a resident of a town in this state and shall not be on parole for conviction of a felony. Any individual proposed as a candidate in any nominating petition may serve as circulator of the pages of such nominating petition.

Sec. 9-453f. Signature pages. Before any signatures may be obtained on a petition signatures page, above the space provided for signatures shall be indicated the party designation, if any, the name and address of the candidate, the office sought, the election and the date thereof, and the town and district, if such is the case, in which such petition page is to be circulated. Such indication may not be altered or amended after any person has signed the page. Each page of a nominating petition shall contain the names and street addresses of the signers. No page of a nominating petition shall be certified by the clerks of two or more towns and signatures on any page so certified shall not be counted by the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-453g. False signing. Any person who signs a name other than his own to a nominating petition filed under sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or section 9-216 shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

Sec. 9-453h. Withdrawal of signatures. Any signer of a nominating petition may withdraw his signature therefrom at any time up to the deadline date for filing nominating petition pages pursuant to section 9-453i, prior to the election, by sending a written notice of such withdrawal to the candidate or candidates named in such petition and by sending a copy of such notice to the Secretary of the State by such day. Such written notice and the copy thereof shall be sent by registered or certified mail.

Sec. 9-453i. Submission to town clerk or Secretary of the State. (a) Each page of a nominating petition proposing a candidate for an office to be filled at a regular election shall be submitted to the appropriate town clerk or to the Secretary of the State not later than four o’clock p.m. on the ninetieth day preceding the day of the regular election.

(b) Each page of a nominating petition proposing a candidate for an office to be filled at a special election, except petitions filed under section 9-216, shall be submitted to the appropriate town clerk or to the Secretary of the State not later than four o’clock p.m. on the seventieth day prior to such election, unless (1) such special election is held in conjunction with a regular election and (2) the writ of such special election is issued at least fourteen days before the final day for the filing of primary petitions for municipal offices to be filled at such regular election pursuant to section 9-405, in which case the deadline for submitting such nominating petition pages shall be the same as the deadline for such submission in connection with such regular election as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Each page of a nominating petition proposing a candidate at an election shall be so submitted either (1) to the town clerk of the town in which the signers reside, or (2) to the Secretary of the State, in which case the Secretary of the State shall submit the petition pages to the appropriate town clerk for the purpose of certifying the signatures on such pages.

(d) On such last day for submitting such nominating petition pages, in each town in which an election is to be held, the office of the town clerk shall open not later than one o’clock p.m. and remain open until at least four o’clock p.m., and the town clerk or his assistant town clerk shall be present therein.

Sec. 9-453j. Statement by circulator. Each page of a nominating petition submitted to the town clerk or the Secretary of the State and filed with the Secretary of the State under the provisions of sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or section 9-216 shall contain a statement as to the residency in this state and eligibility of the circulator and authenticity of the signatures thereon, signed under penalties of false statement, by the person who circulated the same. Such statement shall set forth (1) such circulator’s residence address, including the town in this state in which such circulator is a resident, (2) the circulator’s date of birth and that the circulator is at least eighteen years of age, (3) that the circulator is a United States citizen and not on parole for conviction of a felony, and (4) that each person whose name appears on such page signed the same in person in the presence of such circulator and that either the circulator knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified himself to the circulator. Any false statement committed with respect to such statement shall be deemed to have been committed in the town in which the petition was circulated.

Sec. 9-453k. Signing and certification of circulator’s statement; receipt for pages; certification of signatures. (a) The town clerk or Secretary of the State shall not accept any page of a nominating petition unless the circulator thereof has signed before him or an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29, the statement as to the residency in this state and eligibility of the circulator and authenticity of the signatures thereon required by section 9-453j.

(b) The town clerk or Secretary of the State or an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29 shall certify on each such page that the circulator thereof signed such statement in his presence and that either he knows the circulator or that the circulator satisfactorily identified himself to the individual certifying.

(c) The town clerk or Secretary of the State shall forthwith give to each circulator submitting a page or pages of a nominating petition a receipt indicating the number of such pages so submitted and the date upon which such pages were submitted.

(d) Such town clerk shall certify on each such page the date upon which it was submitted to the town clerk by the circulator or the Secretary of the State and the number of names of electors on such petition page, which names were on the registry list last-completed or are names of persons admitted as electors since the completion of such list. In the checking of signatures on such nominating petition pages, the town clerk shall reject any name if such name is not the name of an elector as specified above. Such rejection shall be indicated by placing a mark in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State before the name so rejected. The town clerk shall not reject any name for which the street address on the petition is different from the street address on the registry list, if (1) such person is eligible to vote for the candidate or candidates named in the petition, and (2) the person’s date of birth, as shown on the petition page, is the same as the date of birth on the person’s registration record. Such clerk may place a check mark before each name appearing on such registry list or each name of a person admitted as an elector since the completion of such list, but shall place no other mark on such page except as provided in this section.

Sec. 9-453l. Delegation of signature check to registrars. Any town clerk may delegate his duty to check the names of signers with names of electors on the registry list pursuant to section 9-453k to the registrars of voters in his town, if the registrars consent, and the registrars shall complete the required certifications with respect thereto on the petition, provided the registrars shall execute a receipt for such pages upon receipt thereof stating the number of pages and provided such checking of names by the registrars shall take place in the office of the town clerk or in the office of the registrars of voters if they have an office. After making the required certifications, the registrars shall deliver the petition pages to the town clerk.

Sec. 9-453m. Signatures, effect of variations. The use of titles, initials or customary abbreviations of given names by the signer of a nominating petition shall not invalidate such signature if the identity of the signer can be readily established by reference to the signature on the petition and the name of a person as it appears on the last-completed registry list at the address indicated or of a person who has been admitted as an elector since the completion of such list.

Sec. 9-453n. Date for filing with secretary. Any town clerk receiving any page of a nominating petition under sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or section 9-216 shall complete such certifications as specified herein and shall file each such nominating petition page with the Secretary of the State within two weeks after it was so submitted to him. Any such town clerk who fails to so file such petition pages with the Secretary of the State by the time required shall pay a late filing fee of fifty dollars.

Sec. 9-453o. Rejection of defective pages. Cure for omission by town clerk. Approval of petitions. (a) The Secretary of the State may not count for purposes of determining compliance with the number of signatures required by section 9-453d the signatures certified by the town clerk on any petition page filed under sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or 9-216 if: (1) The name of the candidate, his address or the party designation, if any, has been omitted from the face of the petition; (2) the page does not contain a statement by the circulator as to the residency in this state and eligibility of the circulator and authenticity of the signatures thereon as required by section 9-453j or upon which such statement of the circulator is incomplete in any respect; or (3) the page does not contain the certifications required by sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, by the town clerk of the town in which the signers reside. The town clerk shall cure any omission on his part by signing any such page at the office of the Secretary of the State and making the necessary amendment or by filing a separate statement in this regard, which amendment shall be dated.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Secretary of the State shall approve every nominating petition which contains sufficient signatures counted and certified on approved pages by the town clerks. In the case of a candidate who petitions under a reserved party designation the Secretary shall approve the petition only if it meets the signature requirement and if a statement endorsing such candidate is filed with the Secretary by the party designation committee not later than four o’clock p.m. on the sixty-second day before the election. In the case of a candidate who petitions under a party designation which is the same as the name of a minor party the Secretary shall approve the petition only if it meets the signature requirement and if a statement endorsing such candidate is filed in the office of the Secretary by the chairman or secretary of such minor party not later than four o’clock p.m. on the sixty-second day before the election. No candidate shall be qualified to appear on any ballot by nominating petition unless the candidate’s petition is approved by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection.

(c) The Secretary of the State may approve a nominating petition received under section 9-453k at any time except such approval shall be withdrawn if sufficient signatures are withdrawn under section 9-453h.

Sec. 9-453p. Withdrawal of candidacy. A petitioning candidate may withdraw his candidacy but no such withdrawal shall be valid until the candidate has signed and filed a letter of withdrawal with the Secretary of the State in the case of a state or district office or the office of state senator or state representative from any district, or with the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office other than state senator or state representative. A copy of each letter of withdrawal filed with the municipal clerk shall also be filed with the Secretary of the State. The Secretary of the State shall forthwith notify the appropriate town clerks of such withdrawal in the case of a state or district office.

Sec. 9-453q. Use of party levers for petitioning candidates. Section 9-453q is repealed.

Sec. 9-453r. Position of candidates’ names on ballot. (a) A separate row on the ballot shall be used for a petitioning candidate whose name is contained in a petition approved pursuant to section 9-453o, bearing a party designation. A separate row shall be used for the petitioning candidates whose names are contained in petitions approved pursuant to section 9-453o, bearing the same party designation. Within such a separate row, the order of the names of such candidates for the same multiple-opening office shall be determined by the registrars of voters by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public. The registrars of voters shall provide at least five days public notice for each such ceremony.

(b) On the horizontal rows below the rows so used for candidates, if any, who are so entitled to a party designation on the ballot, shall be placed, in the appropriate office columns, the names of candidates contained in petitions approved pursuant to section 9-453o bearing no party designation. Such candidates shall not be entitled to separate rows. Precedence as to horizontal row between or among such candidates shall be determined, if necessary, by the order in which their applications for petitions were filed with the Secretary of the State from the earliest to the latest; provided that within any such horizontal row the names of as many of such candidates for the same multiple-opening office as such row will accommodate shall be placed before placing the names of other such candidates for such office on the next such row. The order of the names of such candidates for the same multiple-opening office, within and between any such horizontal rows, shall be determined by the registrars of voters by lot in a ceremony which shall be open to the public. The registrars of voters shall provide at least five days public notice for each such ceremony. Each row in which a candidate’s name appears who is not entitled to a party designation shall be labeled “Petitioning Candidates”, the print of which shall correspond to that used for party designations.

Sec. 9-453s. Vacancies in candidacies. Ballot. Vacancies in candidacies occurring after all nominating petitions have been approved under section 9-453o, shall not cause the position of any candidate’s name on the ballot to be changed to another position unless a blank row on the ballot results from such vacancy or vacancies in which case the position of candidates appearing on lines under the blank row may change if the consent of all candidates involved in such a change is filed in the Secretary of the State’s office prior to the time for printing and filing sample ballots with said Secretary. The name of any candidate whose candidacy has been vacated shall not appear on the ballot.

Sec. 9-453t. Candidate nominated by major or minor party prohibited from appearing on ballot by nominating petition. Exception for cross endorsement. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes or any special act, and except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the nomination of a candidate by a major or minor party under this chapter for any office shall disqualify such candidate from appearing on the ballot by nominating petition for the same office.

(b) A candidate for a major or minor party for any office may appear on the ballot by nominating petition for the same office, provided (1) the petition is circulated by an existing minor party with the same party designation at the time of such nomination, (2) the minor party is otherwise qualified to nominate candidates on the same ballot, and (3) a candidate of the minor party for the office of Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, or Attorney General received at least fifteen thousand votes at the previous state election for any such office.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from appearing on the ballot as the nominee of two or more major or minor parties for the same office.

Sec. 9-453u. (Formerly Sec. 9-378m). Reservation of party designation. (a) An application to reserve a party designation with the Secretary of the State and to form a party designation committee may be made at any time after November 3, 1981, by filing in the office of the secretary a written statement signed by at least twenty-five electors who desire to be members of such committee.

(b) The statement shall include the offices for which candidates may petition for nomination under the party designation to be reserved but shall not include an office if no elector who has signed the application is entitled to vote at an election for such office.

(c) The statement shall include the party designation to be reserved which (1) shall consist of not more than three words and not more than twenty-five letters; (2) shall not incorporate the name of any major party; (3) shall not incorporate the name of any minor party which is entitled to nominate candidates for any office which will appear on the same ballot with any office included in the statement; (4) shall not be the same as any party designation for which a reservation with the secretary is currently in effect for any office included in the statement; and (5) shall not be the word “none”, or incorporate the words “unaffiliated” or “unenrolled” or any similarly antonymous form of the words “affiliated” or “enrolled”.

(d) The statement shall include the names of two persons who are authorized by the party designation committee to execute and file with the secretary statements of endorsement required by section 9-453o and certificates of nomination as required by section 9-460.

(e) The secretary shall examine the statement, and if it complies with the requirements of this section, the secretary shall reserve the party designation for the offices included in the statement and record such reservation in the office of the secretary. The reservation shall continue in effect from the date it is recorded until the day following any regular election at which no candidate appears on the appropriate ballot for that office under that party designation.

Secs. 9-454 to 9-458. Petition: Form; signatures; circulation and filing; town clerk’s duties; platform statement required, when; false signing. Sections 9-454 to 9-458, inclusive, are repealed.

PART IV

VACANCIES

Sec. 9-459. Vacancy elections. Nominations for any state, district or municipal office to be filled under the provisions of any law relating to elections to fill vacancies, unless otherwise provided therein, shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 9-460. Vacancy in nomination; withdrawal procedure. Certification of replacement nomination; time limitations. Ballot labels. If any party has nominated a candidate for office, or, on and after November 4, 1981, if a candidate has qualified to appear on any ballot by nominating petition under a reserved party designation, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and such nominee thereafter, but prior to twenty-four days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, dies, withdraws such nominee’s name or for any reason becomes disqualified to hold the office for which such nominee has been nominated (1) such party or, on and after November 4, 1981, the party designation committee may make a nomination to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such nomination as its rules prescribe, and (2) if another party that is qualified to nominate a candidate for such office does not have a nominee for such office, such party may also nominate a candidate for such office as its rules prescribe. No withdrawal, and no nomination to replace a candidate who has withdrawn, under this section shall be valid unless the candidate who has withdrawn has filed a letter of withdrawal signed by such candidate with the Secretary of the State in the case of a state or district office or the office of state senator or state representative from any district, or with the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office other than state senator or state representative. A copy of such candidate’s letter of withdrawal to the municipal clerk shall also be filed with the Secretary of the State. No nomination to fill a vacancy under this section shall be valid unless it is certified to the Secretary of the State in the case of a state or district office or the office of state senator or state representative from any district, or to the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office other than state senator or state representative, by the organization or committee making such nomination, at least twenty-one days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election, except as otherwise provided by this section. If a nominee dies within twenty-four days, but prior to twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, the vacancy may be filled in the manner prescribed in this section by two o’clock p.m. of the day before the election with the municipal clerk or the Secretary of the State, as the case may be. If a nominee dies within twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls and prior to the close of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, such nominee shall not be replaced and the votes cast for such nominee shall be canvassed and counted, and if such nominee receives a plurality of the votes cast, a vacancy shall exist in the office for which the nomination was made. The vacancy shall then be filled in a manner prescribed by law. A copy of such certification to the municipal clerk shall also be filed with the Secretary of the State. Such nomination to fill a vacancy due to death or disqualification shall include a statement setting forth the reason for such vacancy. If at the time such nomination is certified to the Secretary of the State or to the municipal clerk, as the case may be, the ballot labels have already been printed, the Secretary of the State shall direct the municipal clerk in each municipality affected to (A) have the ballot labels reprinted with the nomination thus made included thereon, (B) cause printed stickers to be affixed to the ballot labels so that the name of any candidate who has died, withdrawn or been disqualified is deleted and the name of any candidate chosen to fill such vacancy appears in the same position as that in which the vacated candidacy appeared, or (C) cause blank stickers to be so affixed if the vacancy is not filled.

PART V

LISTS OF CANDIDATES

Sec. 9-461. Filing of list of candidates with Secretary. Not later than the seventh day following the date set for the primary for nomination at any election at which a municipal office is to be filled, the clerk of the municipality in which such election is to be held shall file with the Secretary of the State a list of the candidates of each party for the municipal offices to be filled at such election nominated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Such list shall be on a form provided by the Secretary of the State and shall indicate the name and address of each candidate and the office and term for which each candidate has been nominated, and, except for major party candidates for the municipal offices of state senator or state representative, shall contain the certification of such municipal clerk that he has compared the name of each such candidate with the candidate’s name as the candidate authorizes the candidate’s name to appear on the ballot, pursuant to the certificate filed in accordance with subsection (c) of section 9-391 or the statement of consent filed in accordance with section 9-409, as applicable, and has verified and corrected the same. In the case of major party candidates for the municipal offices of state senator or state representative, such list shall contain the certification of the municipal clerk that he has compared the name of each such candidate with the candidate’s name as the candidate has authorized, on the certificate or statement of consent filed under subsection (c) of section 9-391 or section 9-409, his name to appear, and has verified and corrected the same. Such list shall include a statement of the total number of candidates for which each elector may vote for each office and term at such election as set forth in the list or amendment or supplement thereto filed with the Secretary of the State under section 9-254. After the filing of such list of candidates, the clerk of the municipality shall forthwith notify the Secretary of the State of any errors in such list or of any changes in such list provided for in section 9-329a or 9-460.

Sec. 9-462. Lists of candidates for state and district offices. On September fifteenth in each year when a state election, as defined in section 9-1, is held or not later than September twenty-second in any year in which the date of a primary for nomination to a state or district office is advanced pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-376, the Secretary of the State shall mail to each town clerk a list of the names of all duly nominated candidates for state and district offices to be filled at such election, filed in his office prior to such date, for whom an elector may vote, with the respective party designation of each of such candidates. Forthwith after the results of the primaries for state and district offices are tabulated, the Secretary of the State shall mail to each town clerk in the district the names of all duly nominated candidates for such offices, with the respective party designation of each of such candidates.

Chapter 154 – Presidential Preference Primary

CHAPTER 154 – PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY

Sec. 9-463. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1) “At large” means selected on a basis other than from a district;

(2) “Candidate” means any person whose name is placed, or proposed to be placed, as the case may be, on the primary ballot of a party;

(3) “Chairman” means the chairman of the state central committee of a party;

(4) “Delegate” means a person selected by a party to vote at its national convention held for the purpose of nominating such party’s candidate for President;

(5) “District” means a congressional district or other political subdivision of the state;

(6) “Party” means a political party having the largest or second largest number of enrolled members in this state according to the most recent enrollment records on file in the office of the secretary;

(7) “President” means the office of President of the United States;

(8) “Primary” means a presidential preference primary in which any enrolled member of a party is eligible to vote for a candidate for such party’s nomination for President;

(9) “Rules” mean the national rules or regulations governing a party;

(10) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-464. Primary date. On the last Tuesday in April of each year in which the President of the United States is to be elected, each party shall conduct a primary in each town if the names of two or more candidates are to be placed on such party’s ballot in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 9-465. Placement of candidate names on ballot. The name of a candidate shall be placed on the ballot at a primary of a party either: (a) By direction of the secretary when he determines, within the time specified in section 9-466, that the candidacy of such person for such party’s nomination for President is generally and seriously advocated or recognized according to reports in the national or state news media, unless such candidate files a request as provided in section 9-466; or (b) by petition to the secretary as provided in sections 9-467, 9-468 and 9-469.

Sec. 9-466. Announcement of candidate list. The Secretary shall, at ten o’clock a.m. on the seventy-fourth day preceding the day of the primary, publicly announce a list of candidates whose names are to be placed on the ballot of each party at such primary pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-465. Forthwith upon announcing such list, said Secretary shall notify each such candidate, by registered mail with return receipt requested, that his name will be included on the ballot unless he files with the Secretary, not later than twelve o’clock p.m. of the thirty-sixth day before the primary, a written request, signed by the candidate, to the following effect: “I request that my name be omitted from the ballot at Connecticut’s forthcoming …. (name of party) presidential preference primary”. The name of any candidate who files a request as provided by this section, within the time specified, shall be omitted from the ballot, but no such withdrawal shall be honored if it is received later than the time specified by this section.

Sec. 9-467. Issuance of petition. On or after twelve o’clock noon of the seventy-fourth day preceding the day of the primary, any person seeking the nomination of a party for President, whose name is not included in the list of candidates announced by the Secretary pursuant to section 9-466, or any person advocating the nomination of such person, by such party, may obtain petition pages from the Secretary in the manner provided by this section. Such pages shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary and shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the requirements for primary petition forms provided in section 9-410. Any person requesting the petition pages shall give to the Secretary, in writing, his name and address, the name and address of the candidate for whom the petition is to be circulated and the party holding the primary, and shall also file, or cause to be filed, with said Secretary a written statement, signed by such candidate, to the effect that he consents to the inclusion of his name on the primary ballot of such party. Upon completion of these requirements, the Secretary shall give to the person so requesting such petition pages one petition page, suitable for duplication. If the person is requesting the form on behalf of an indigent candidate, the Secretary shall give the person the number of original pages that such person requests or the number of original pages that the Secretary deems to be sufficient. The Secretary shall also fill in on each petition page the name and address of the candidate, the words “nomination for President of the United States” as the designation of the office sought, and the name of the party conducting the primary.

Sec. 9-468. Circulation, filing and verification of petition. Except as hereinafter provided, such petitions shall be circulated, filed with the registrars of voters, and verified by said registrars, as nearly as may be, in accordance with the provisions of sections 9-410 and 9-412. Each page of such a petition shall be filed with the registrar of voters of the party holding the primary in the town of voting residence of the signers thereof, not later than four o’clock p.m. of the fifty-third day preceding the day of the primary; and such registrar shall verify the signatures on each such page and forward it to the Secretary not later than four o’clock p.m. of the forty-ninth day preceding the day of the primary. If, prior to such last day for filing such pages with the registrar, such a petition was issued under section 9-467, the office or office facilities of each registrar of such party in each town shall open not later than one o’clock p.m. and remain open until at least four o’clock p.m., and each such registrar or his deputy assistant registrar shall be present therein.

Sec. 9-469. Tabulation of signatures. The Secretary shall complete tabulation of the signatures on such petitions not later than the forty-sixth day preceding the day of the primary. The Secretary shall place on the ballot of each party at the primary the name of each candidate whose petition has been signed by a number of enrolled members of such party equal to at least one per cent of the total number of enrolled members of such party in the state, according to the most recent enrollment records on file in the office of the Secretary. No candidate who has filed a statement of consent pursuant to the provisions of section 9-467 and whose name is placed on the ballot pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be permitted to withdraw his name from such ballot.

Sec. 9-470. Order of candidate names on ballot. The Secretary shall determine by lot, in a public ceremony held on the thirty-fifth day preceding the day of the primary, the order in which the names of the candidates will appear on the ballot of each party at such primary; provided that the category “uncommitted” shall appear last on such ballots. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, no candidate shall be designated on the ballot as the party-endorsed candidate. The names of such candidates shall appear, in the order so determined by the Secretary, in the first vertical column of the ballot. Such column shall be designated “Nomination for President of the United States”; provided if the number of candidates is such that there is an insufficient number of places in such column, the Secretary shall determine whether the names of the candidates shall also extend, in the order so determined, to the second and succeeding columns as may be necessary, or shall appear on the first and succeeding horizontal rows as may be necessary. Such columns or rows shall be designated as hereinabove provided. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the form of the ballot shall be prescribed by the Secretary and shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the provisions of section 9-437.

Sec. 9-471. Notice of primary. Forthwith upon determination of the order of candidates on the ballot, the secretary shall send a notice of primary for each party to each town clerk. Such notice shall include the names of the candidates in the order so determined and their addresses. Such notice shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the provisions of section 9-433 concerning notice of primary for nomination to a state office. The town clerk shall, forthwith upon receipt of such notice, cause it to be published in the manner provided in said section.

Sec. 9-472. Vacancy on ballot due to candidate death. If, after determination of the order of candidates on the ballot, a candidate dies, his name shall not appear on such ballot; provided that the position of each remaining candidate on the ballot shall not be altered by the deletion of such name. The secretary may authorize the use of blank stickers on the ballot by town clerks in order to comply with the provisions of this section.

Sec. 9-473. Notification by party chairmen of delegates allotted. Not later than the fourteenth day before the day of the primary, the chairman of each party shall certify in writing to the secretary the number of delegates to which such party is entitled pursuant to its rules. If such rules provide that such delegates are to be chosen from districts, the chairman shall also certify the number of delegates allocated to each district and the number to be selected at large, if any. Such rules may (1) prescribe a formula for the allocation of delegates to candidates based upon the percentages of the total votes cast for such candidates at the primary, or (2) require all delegates shall be allocated to the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes notwithstanding such candidate’s percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates. If such rules prescribe a formula for the allocation of delegates to candidates based upon the percentages of the total votes cast for such candidates at the primary, the chairman shall also certify such formula and all information necessary for the application of such formula to the results of the primary. The chairman shall furnish to the secretary, upon request, a written interpretation or explanation of any application of such formula.

Secs. 9-474 and 9-475. Candidate caucuses. Selection of delegate slates. Sections 9-474 and 9-475 are repealed.

Sec. 9-476. Conduct of primary. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the provisions of chapter 145 and chapter 153 concerning absentee voting at primaries, conduct of primaries and return and tabulation of the vote at such primaries shall apply as nearly as practicable and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the State, to a presidential preference primary. The primary officials of each party for each polling place shall be as specified in section 9-436, except that (1) the appointment of assistant registrars of voters and absentee ballot counters shall be permitted but not required, (2) the minimum number of official checkers shall be one, (3) the minimum number of voting tabulator tenders shall be one for each two voting tabulators in use, (4) if two parties are holding primaries and the registrars of voters of such parties so agree, such registrars of voters may jointly appoint (A) one moderator of both primaries and (B) one enrolled member of either party to serve as head moderator of both primaries, (5) notwithstanding any reduction in the number of primary officials as permitted by this section, any duty required of primary officials by the general statutes may be performed by one or more primary officials, at the direction of the registrar of voters of the party of such officials, and (6) the registrar of voters shall have the sole power to appoint such officials. In making such appointments the registrar shall attempt, to the extent practicable, to provide representation for each candidate at each polling place. The provisions of section 9-436a shall apply to each candidate whose name appears on the ballot, except that each such candidate, through such candidate’s authorized or known representative, may submit to the registrar of voters the name of one designee as candidate checker for each polling place, and the registrar of voters shall appoint such designee as candidate checker for such candidate. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-438, the polls shall be open for voting at the primary between the hours of six o’clock a.m. and eight o’clock p.m. The moderator or head moderator of the primary in each town shall prepare duplicate head moderator returns in the manner provided by section 9-440, but notwithstanding the provisions of said section, the moderator or head moderator may electronically transmit such returns not later than eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. on primary day, provided a hard copy is mailed to the Secretary of the State not later than two o’clock p.m. of the day following the primary or shall hand deliver one of such returns to either the Secretary or the state police by two o’clock p.m. of the day following the primary. Any moderator or head moderator, as the case may be, who fails to deliver such returns to either the Secretary or the state police by such time shall pay a late filing fee of fifty dollars.

Secs. 9-477 to 9-481. Tabulation of votes. Delegate affidavit. Convention certification. Vacancy in delegate slate prior to primary. Vacancy in delegate slate following primary. Sections 9-477 to 9-481, inclusive, are repealed.

Sec. 9-482. “Candidate” includes “uncommitted”. Determination of total votes cast. As used in this section and in sections 9-483, 9-484 and 9-485, “candidate” includes the category “uncommitted”. The secretary shall determine the number of votes cast for each candidate and the total number of votes cast for all candidates at each party’s primary. If delegates are to be selected to represent districts, the secretary shall also make such determination for each such district.

Sec. 9-483. Allocation of delegates pursuant to party formula. If a party’s chairman has certified a formula in accordance with the provisions of section 9-473, the secretary shall calculate the number of delegates allocated to each of such party’s candidates, pursuant to such formula, except as provided in section 9-484.

Sec. 9-484. Allocation of delegates pursuant to state formula. (a) If a party’s chairman did not certify (1) a formula pursuant to section 9-473, or (2) a requirement that all delegates shall be allocated to the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes notwithstanding such candidate’s percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates, the secretary shall determine the number of delegates to be so allocated to each candidate of each such party in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Such determination shall be made separately for delegates to be selected at large and delegates to be selected from each district. Any percentage required to be determined, in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall be rounded off to the nearest one-tenth of one per cent. As used in this section, “minimum percentage” means the ratio, expressed as a percentage, that the number one bears to the total number of delegates to be selected, but in no event shall such percentage exceed twenty-five per cent.

(c) The secretary shall calculate the minimum percentage, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, using the number of delegates to be selected at large and, if applicable, the number of delegates to be selected from each district respectively. Except as provided in this subsection, a candidate’s percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates in the state or in a district must equal or exceed such minimum percentage in order for such candidate to be allocated any at large delegates or any delegates from such district, as the case may be. The secretary shall determine each candidate’s percentage of the total votes cast for all candidates in the state and in each district. In the event two or more candidates have received a percentage of such total votes cast equal to or greater than the minimum percentage, the secretary shall calculate an adjusted percentage, which shall be each such candidate’s percentage of the total votes cast for all such candidates, excluding the votes cast for all other candidates. The secretary shall then calculate the product of each such candidate’s adjusted percentage and the total number of delegates to be selected, rounding off such product to the nearest integer. Such product shall be the number of delegates allocated to each such candidate except as hereinafter provided. (1) If the rounding off of such products to the nearest integers causes the sum of all delegates so allocated to be greater than the total number of delegates to be selected at large or from the district, then one delegate shall be subtracted from the number allocated to the candidate who received the greatest mathematical gain from such rounding off, and if necessary one delegate shall also be subtracted from the number allocated to the candidate who received the next greatest gain, and so on until the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total number of delegates to be so selected. (2) If the rounding off of such products to the nearest integers causes the sum of all delegates so allocated to be fewer than the total number of delegates to be selected at large or from the district, then one delegate shall be added to the number allocated to the candidate who suffered the greatest mathematical loss from such rounding off, and if necessary one delegate shall also be added to the number allocated to the candidate who suffered the next greatest such loss, and so on until the sum of all delegates allocated to candidates equals the total number of delegates to be so selected.

(d) In the event one or no candidate has received a percentage of the total number of votes cast for all candidates equal to or greater than the minimum percentage, the secretary shall calculate an adjusted percentage for each of the candidates receiving the greatest and second greatest number of votes cast for all candidates. The adjusted percentage shall be such candidate’s percentage of the total number of votes cast for both such candidates, excluding the total number of votes cast for all other candidates. The secretary shall determine the number of delegates allocated to each candidate by using the same procedure as prescribed in subsection (c) of this section.

Sec. 9-485. Certification of delegates. Release of delegates. (a) Forthwith upon completion of the procedures prescribed by section 9-483 or 9-484, as the case may be, the secretary shall certify to the chairman, each candidate and the national committee of the party, the number of such party’s at large and district delegates allocated to each candidate in accordance with the provisions of said sections. Each party shall select a number of delegates, both at large and from each district, pursuant to its rules and in accordance with such certification, provided it shall select a number of delegates committed to support each candidate which is not less than the number so allocated to such candidate. If, prior to a party’s selection of delegates, a candidate to whom one or more of such party’s delegates are allocated files with the secretary a written statement, by him signed, to the effect that he has released all Connecticut delegates allocated to him, delegates committed to such candidate shall not be selected by such party. Forthwith upon the selection of delegates, the chairman shall certify to the secretary the name and address of each delegate, the district from which he was selected or that he was selected at large, and the name of the candidate to whom he is committed or that he is uncommitted, as the case may be. If, as a consequence of any such candidate’s release of delegates, the number of delegates differs from the number so allocated in accordance with the secretary’s certification, the chairman shall include in his certification a statement to such effect and an accounting of the differences.

(b) The secretary shall forward a copy of such certification to the national committee of the party and to each candidate to whom at least one delegate is committed. If such certification indicates that the party has not complied with the provisions of this section in its selection of delegates, the secretary shall so inform the chairman, each such candidate and the national committee of the party. If any such candidate files with the secretary a written objection to any delegate committed to him according to the chairman’s certification, the secretary shall inform the chairman and the national committee of the party of such objection. Any dispute over the selection of delegates by a party shall be resolved in such manner as its rules may prescribe.

(c) If, subsequent to the primary, a candidate to whom one or more of such party’s delegates are allocated either dies or files with the secretary a written statement, by him signed, to the effect that he has released all Connecticut delegates committed to him, the commitment of any such delegate to the candidate shall be deemed to have been released.

Sec. 9-486. Caucuses permitted. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the holding of caucuses for the selection of delegates prior to the day of the primary.

Secs. 9-487 to 9-599. Reserved for future use.

Chapter 155 – Elections: Campaign Financing

CHAPTER 155 – ELECTIONS: CAMPAIGN FINANCING

Sec. 9-600. (Formerly Sec. 9-333). Application of provisions. This chapter applies to: (1) The election, and all primaries preliminary thereto, of all public officials, except presidential electors, United States senators and members in Congress, and (2) any referendum question. This chapter also applies, except for the provisions of sections 9-611 to 9-620, inclusive, to persons who are candidates in a primary for town committee members.

Sec. 9-601. (Formerly Sec. 9-333a). General definitions. As used in this chapter and chapter 157:

(1) “Committee” means a party committee, political committee or a candidate committee organized, as the case may be, for a single primary, election or referendum, or for ongoing political activities, to aid or promote the success or defeat of any political party, any one or more candidates for public office or the position of town committee member or any referendum question.

(2) “Party committee” means a state central committee or a town committee. “Party committee” does not mean a party-affiliated or district, ward or borough committee which receives all of its funds from the state central committee of its party or from a single town committee with the same party affiliation. Any such committee so funded shall be construed to be a part of its state central or town committee for purposes of this chapter and chapter 157.

(3) “Political committee” means (A) a committee organized by a business entity or organization, (B) persons other than individuals, or two or more individuals organized or acting jointly conducting their activities in or outside the state, (C) an exploratory committee, (D) a committee established by or on behalf of a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace, but does not mean a candidate committee or a party committee, (E) a legislative caucus committee, or (F) a legislative leadership committee.

(4) “Candidate committee” means any committee designated by a single candidate, or established with the consent, authorization or cooperation of a candidate, for the purpose of a single primary or election and to aid or promote such candidate’s candidacy alone for a particular public office or the position of town committee member, but does not mean a political committee or a party committee. For purposes of this chapter, “candidate committee” includes candidate committees for participating and nonparticipating candidates, unless the context of a provision clearly indicates otherwise.

(5) “Exploratory committee” means a committee established by a candidate for a single primary or election (A) to determine whether to seek nomination or election to (i) the General Assembly, (ii) a state office, as defined in subsection (e) of section 9-610, or (iii) any other public office, and (B) if applicable, to aid or promote such candidate’s candidacy for nomination to the General Assembly or any such state office.

(6) “National committee” means the organization which according to the bylaws of a political party is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the party at the national level.

(7) “Organization” means all labor organizations, (A) as defined in the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as from time to time amended, or (B) as defined in subdivision (9) of section 31-101, employee organizations as defined in subsection (d) of section 5-270 and subdivision (6) of section 7-467, bargaining representative organizations for teachers, any local, state or national organization, to which a labor organization pays membership or per capita fees, based upon its affiliation or membership, and trade or professional associations which receive their funds exclusively from membership dues, whether organized in or outside of this state, but does not mean a candidate committee, party committee or a political committee.

(8) “Business entity” means the following, whether organized in or outside of this state: Stock corporations, banks, insurance companies, business associations, bankers associations, insurance associations, trade or professional associations which receive funds from membership dues and other sources, partnerships, joint ventures, private foundations, as defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended; trusts or estates; corporations organized under sections 38a-175 to 38a-192, inclusive, 38a-199 to 38a-209, inclusive, and 38a-214 to 38a-225, inclusive, and chapters 594 to 597, inclusive; cooperatives, and any other association, organization or entity which is engaged in the operation of a business or profit-making activity; but does not include professional service corporations organized under chapter 594a and owned by a single individual, nonstock corporations which are not engaged in business or profit-making activity, organizations, as defined in subdivision (7) of this section, candidate committees, party committees and political committees as defined in this section. For purposes of this chapter, corporations which are component members of a controlled group of corporations, as those terms are defined in Section 1563 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, shall be deemed to be one corporation.

(9) “Individual” means a human being, a sole proprietorship, or a professional service corporation organized under chapter 594a and owned by a single human being.

(10) “Person” means an individual, committee, firm, partnership, organization, association, syndicate, company trust, corporation, limited liability company or any other legal entity of any kind but does not mean the state or any political or administrative subdivision of the state.

(11) “Candidate” means an individual who seeks nomination for election or election to public office whether or not such individual is elected, and for the purposes of this chapter and chapter 157, an individual shall be deemed to seek nomination for election or election if such individual has (A) been endorsed by a party or become eligible for a position on the ballot at an election or primary, or (B) solicited or received contributions, other than for a party committee, made expenditures or given such individual’s consent to any other person, other than a party committee, to solicit or receive contributions or make expenditures with the intent to bring about such individual’s nomination for election or election to any such office. “Candidate” also means a slate of candidates which is to appear on the ballot in a primary for the office of justice of the peace. For the purposes of sections 9-600 to 9-610, inclusive, and section 9-621, “candidate” also means an individual who is a candidate in a primary for town committee members.

(12) “Treasurer” means the individual appointed by a candidate or by the chairperson of a party committee or a political committee to receive and disburse funds on behalf of the candidate or committee.

(13) “Deputy treasurer” means the individual appointed by the candidate or by the chairperson of a committee to serve in the capacity of the treasurer if the treasurer is unable to perform the treasurer’s duties.

(14) “Solicitor” means an individual appointed by a treasurer of a committee to receive, but not to disburse, funds on behalf of the committee.

(15) “Referendum question” means a question to be voted upon at any election or referendum, including a proposed constitutional amendment.

(16) “Lobbyist” means a lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91, and “communicator lobbyist” means a communicator lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91, and “client lobbyist” means a client lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91.

(17) “Business with which he is associated” means any business in which the contributor is a director, officer, owner, limited or general partner or holder of stock constituting five per cent or more of the total outstanding stock of any class. Officer refers only to the president, executive or senior vice-president or treasurer of such business.

(18) “Agent” means a person authorized to act for or in place of another.

(19) “Entity” means the following, whether organized in this or any other state: An organization, corporation, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, cooperative association, limited partnership, professional association, limited liability company and limited liability partnership. “Entity” includes any tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, and any tax-exempt political organization organized under Section 527 of said code.

(20) “Federal account” means a depository account that is subject to the disclosure and contribution limits provided under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended from time to time.

(21) “Public funds” means funds belonging to, or under the control of, the state or a political subdivision of the state.

(22) “Legislative caucus committee” means a committee established under subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 9-605 by the majority of the members of a political party who are also state representatives or state senators.

(23) “Legislative leadership committee” means a committee established under subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 9-605 by a leader of the General Assembly.

(24) “Immediate family” means the spouse or a dependent child of an individual.

(25) “Organization expenditure” means an expenditure by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for the benefit of a candidate or candidate committee for:

(A) The preparation, display or mailing or other distribution of a party candidate listing. As used in this subparagraph, “party candidate listing” means any communication that meets the following criteria: (i) The communication lists the name or names of candidates for election to public office, (ii) the communication is distributed through public advertising such as broadcast stations, cable television, newspapers or similar media, or through direct mail, telephone, electronic mail, publicly accessible sites on the Internet or personal delivery, and (iii) the communication is made to promote the success or defeat of any candidate or slate of candidates seeking the nomination for election, or election or for the purpose of aiding or promoting the success or defeat of any referendum question or the success or defeat of any political party, provided such communication is not a solicitation for or on behalf of a candidate committee;

(B) A document in printed or electronic form, including a party platform, an electronic page providing merchant account services to be used by a candidate for the collection of on-line contributions, a copy of an issue paper, information pertaining to the requirements of this title, a list of registered voters and voter identification information, which document is created or maintained by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for the general purposes of party or caucus building and is provided (i) to a candidate who is a member of the party that has established such party committee, or (ii) to a candidate who is a member of the party of the caucus or leader who has established such legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, whichever is applicable;

(C) A campaign event at which a candidate or candidates are present; or

(D) The retention of the services of an advisor to provide assistance relating to campaign organization, financing, accounting, strategy, law or media.

(26) “Solicit” means (A) requesting that a contribution be made, (B) participating in any fundraising activities for a candidate committee, exploratory committee, political committee or party committee, including, but not limited to, forwarding tickets to potential contributors, receiving contributions for transmission to any such committee, serving on the committee that is hosting a fundraising event, introducing the candidate or making other public remarks at a fundraising event, being honored or otherwise recognized at a fundraising event, or bundling contributions, (C) serving as chairperson, treasurer or deputy treasurer of any such committee, or (D) establishing a political committee for the sole purpose of soliciting or receiving contributions for any committee. “Solicit” does not include (i) making a contribution that is otherwise permitted under this chapter, (ii) informing any person of a position taken by a candidate for public office or a public official, (iii) notifying the person of any activities of, or contact information for, any candidate for public office, (iv) serving as a member in any party committee or as an officer of such committee that is not otherwise prohibited in this subdivision, or (v) mere attendance at a fundraiser.

(27) “Bundle” means the forwarding of five or more contributions to a single committee by a communicator lobbyist, an agent of such lobbyist, or a member of the immediate family of such lobbyist, or raising contributions for a committee at a fundraising affair held by, sponsored by, or hosted by a communicator lobbyist or an agent of such lobbyist, or a member of the immediate family of such lobbyist.

(28) “Slate committee” means a political committee formed by two or more candidates for nomination or election to any municipal office in the same town, city or borough, or in a primary for the office of justice of the peace or the position of town committee member, whenever such political committee will serve as the sole funding vehicle for the candidates’ campaigns.

(29) (A) “Covered transfer” means any donation, transfer or payment of funds by a person to another person if the person receiving the donation, transfer or payment makes independent expenditures or transfers funds to another person who makes independent expenditures.

(B) The term “covered transfer” does not include:

(i) A donation, transfer or payment made by a person in the ordinary course of any trade or business;

(ii) A donation, transfer or payment made by a person, if the person making the donation, transfer or payment prohibited the use of such donation, transfer or payment for an independent expenditure or a covered transfer and the recipient of the donation, transfer or payment agreed to follow the prohibition and deposited the donation, transfer or payment in an account which is segregated from any account used to make independent expenditures or covered transfers;

(iii) Dues, fees or assessments that are transferred between affiliated entities and paid by individuals on a regular, periodic basis in accordance with a per-individual calculation that is made on a regular basis;

(iv) For purposes of this subdivision, “affiliated” means (I) the governing instrument of the entity requires it to be bound by decisions of the other entity; (II) the governing board of the entity includes persons who are specifically designated representatives of the other entity or who are members of the governing board, officers, or paid executive staff members of the other entity, or whose service on the governing board is contingent upon the approval of the other entity; or (III) the entity is chartered by the other entity. “Affiliated” includes entities that are an affiliate of the other entity or where both of the entities are an affiliate of the same entity.

(30) “Party building activity” includes, but is not limited to, any political meeting, conference, convention, and other event, attendance or involvement at which promotes or advances the interests of a party at a local, state or national level, and any associated expenses, including travel, lodging, and any admission fees or other costs, whether or not any such meeting, conference, convention, or other event is sponsored by the party.

(31) “Social media” means an electronic medium where users may create and view user-generated content, such as uploaded or downloaded videos or still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts or instant messages.

Sec. 9-601a. (Formerly Sec. 9-333b). “Contribution” defined. (a) As used in this chapter and chapter 157, “contribution” means:

(1) Any gift, subscription, loan, advance, payment or deposit of money or anything of value, made to promote the success or defeat of any candidate seeking the nomination for election, or election or for the purpose of aiding or promoting the success or defeat of any referendum question or the success or defeat of any political party;

(2) A written contract, promise or agreement to make a contribution for any such purpose;

(3) The payment by any person, other than a candidate or treasurer, of compensation for the personal services of any other person which are rendered without charge to a committee or candidate for any such purpose;

(4) An expenditure that is not an independent expenditure; or

(5) Funds received by a committee which are transferred from another committee or other source for any such purpose.

(b) As used in this chapter and chapter 157, “contribution” does not mean:

(1) A loan of money made in the ordinary course of business by a national or state bank;

(2) Any communication made by a corporation, organization or association solely to its members, owners, stockholders, executive or administrative personnel, or their families;

(3) Nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns by any corporation, organization or association aimed at its members, owners, stockholders, executive or administrative personnel, or their families;

(4) Uncompensated services provided by individuals volunteering their time on behalf of a party committee, political committee, slate committee or candidate committee, including any services provided for the benefit of nonparticipating and participating candidates under the Citizens’ Election Program and any unreimbursed travel expenses made by an individual who volunteers the individual’s personal services to any such committee. For purposes of this subdivision, an individual is a volunteer if such individual is not receiving compensation for such services regardless of whether such individual received compensation in the past or may receive compensation for similar services that may be performed in the future;

(5) The use of real or personal property, a portion or all of the cost of invitations and the cost of food or beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual to a candidate, including a nonparticipating or participating candidate under the Citizens’ Election Program, or to a party, political or slate committee, in rendering voluntary personal services at the individual’s residential premises or a community room in the individual’s residence facility, to the extent that the cumulative value of the invitations, food or beverages provided by an individual on behalf of any candidate or committee does not exceed four hundred dollars with respect to any single event or does not exceed eight hundred dollars for any such event hosted by two or more individuals, provided at least one such individual owns or resides at the residential premises, and further provided the cumulative value of the invitations, food or beverages provided by an individual on behalf of any such candidate or committee does not exceed eight hundred dollars with respect to a calendar year or single election, as the case may be;

(6) The sale of food or beverage for use by a party, political, slate or candidate committee, including those for a participating or nonparticipating candidate, at a discount, if the charge is not less than the cost to the vendor, to the extent that the cumulative value of the discount given to or on behalf of any single candidate committee does not exceed four hundred dollars with respect to any single primary or election, or to or on behalf of any party, political or slate committee, does not exceed six hundred dollars in a calendar year;

(7) The display of a lawn sign by a human being or on real property;

(8) The payment, by a party committee or slate committee of the costs of preparation, display, mailing or other distribution incurred by the committee or individual with respect to any printed slate card, sample ballot or other printed list containing the names of three or more candidates;

(9) The donation of any item of personal property by an individual to a committee for a fund-raising affair, including a tag sale or auction, or the purchase by an individual of any such item at such an affair, to the extent that the cumulative value donated or purchased does not exceed one hundred dollars;

(10) (A) The purchase of advertising space which clearly identifies the purchaser, in a program for a fund-raising affair sponsored by the candidate committee of a candidate for an office of a municipality, provided the cumulative purchase of such space does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars from any single such candidate or the candidate’s committee with respect to any single election campaign if the purchaser is a business entity or fifty dollars for purchases by any other person;

(B) The purchase of advertising space which clearly identifies the purchaser, in a program for a fund-raising affair or on signs at a fund-raising affair sponsored by a party committee or a political committee, other than an exploratory committee, provided the cumulative purchase of such space does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars from any single party committee or a political committee, other than an exploratory committee, in any calendar year if the purchaser is a business entity or fifty dollars for purchases by any other person. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph, the following may not purchase advertising space in a program for a fund-raising affair or on signs at a fund-raising affair sponsored by a party committee or a political committee, other than an exploratory committee: (i) A communicator lobbyist, (ii) a member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist, (iii) a state contractor, (iv) a prospective state contractor, or (v) a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor. As used in this subparagraph, “state contractor”, “prospective state contractor” and “principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” have the same meanings as provided in subsection (f) of section 9-612;

(11) The payment of money by a candidate to the candidate’s candidate committee, provided the committee is for a nonparticipating candidate;

(12) The donation of goods or services by a business entity to a committee for a fund-raising affair, including a tag sale or auction, to the extent that the cumulative value donated does not exceed two hundred dollars;

(13) The advance of a security deposit by an individual to a telephone company, as defined in section 16-1, for telecommunications service for a committee or to another utility company, such as an electric distribution company, provided the security deposit is refunded to the individual;

(14) The provision of facilities, equipment, technical and managerial support, and broadcast time by a community antenna television company, as defined in section 16-1, for community access programming pursuant to section 16-331a, unless (A) the major purpose of providing such facilities, equipment, support and time is to influence the nomination or election of a candidate, or (B) such facilities, equipment, support and time are provided on behalf of a political party;

(15) The sale of food or beverage by a town committee to an individual at a town fair, county fair, local festival or similar mass gathering held within the state, to the extent that the cumulative payment made by any one individual for such items does not exceed fifty dollars;

(16) An organization expenditure by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee;

(17) The donation of food or beverage by an individual for consumption at a slate, candidate, political committee or party committee meeting, event or activity that is not a fund-raising affair to the extent that the cumulative value of the food or beverages donated by an individual for a single meeting or event does not exceed fifty dollars;

(18) The value associated with the de minimis activity on behalf of a party committee, political committee, slate committee or candidate committee, including for activities including, but not limited to, (A) the creation of electronic or written communications or digital photos or video as part of an electronic file created on a voluntary basis without compensation, including, but not limited to, the creation and ongoing content development and delivery of social media on the Internet or telephone, including, but not limited to, the sending or receiving of electronic mail or messages, (B) the posting or display of a candidate’s name or group of candidates’ names at a town fair, county fair, local festival or similar mass gathering by a party committee, (C) the use of personal property or a service that is customarily attendant to the occupancy of a residential dwelling, or the donation of an item or items of personal property that are customarily used for campaign purposes, by an individual, to a candidate committee, provided the cumulative fair market value of such use of personal property or service or items of personal property does not exceed one hundred dollars in the aggregate for any single election or calendar year, as the case may be;

(19) The use of offices, telephones, computers and similar equipment provided by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee that serve as headquarters for or are used by such party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee;

(20) A communication, as described in subdivision (7) of subsection (b) of section 9-601b;

(21) An independent expenditure, as defined in section 9-601c;

(22) A communication containing an endorsement on behalf of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, from a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, provided the candidate (A) making the endorsement is unopposed at the time of the communication, and (B) being endorsed paid for such communication;

(23) A communication that is sent by mail to addresses in the district for which a candidate being endorsed by another candidate pursuant to this subdivision is seeking nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, containing an endorsement on behalf of such candidate for such nomination or election from a candidate for the office of state senator or state representative, provided the candidate (A) making the endorsement is not seeking election to the office of state senator or state representative for a district that contains any geographical area shared by the district for the office to which the endorsed candidate is seeking nomination or election, and (B) being endorsed paid for such communication; or

(24) Campaign training events provided to multiple individuals by a legislative caucus committee and any associated materials, provided the cumulative value of such events and materials does not exceed six thousand dollars in the aggregate for a calendar year.

(c) The provisions of subdivision (5) of subsection (b) of this section concerning the cost of invitations shall not be construed as preventing the candidate or the party, political or slate committee from paying all or any portion of such costs, in which case such amount paid by such candidate or committee shall not count toward the calculation of the cumulative value of the invitations, food or beverages provided pursuant to said subdivision (5).

Sec. 9-601b. (Formerly Sec. 9-333c). “Expenditure” defined. (a) As used in this chapter and chapter 157, the term “expenditure” means:

(1) Any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value, when made to promote the success or defeat of any candidate seeking the nomination for election, or election, of any person or for the purpose of aiding or promoting the success or defeat of any referendum question or the success or defeat of any political party;

(2) Any communication that (A) refers to one or more clearly identified candidates, and (B) is broadcast by radio, television, other than on a public access channel, or by satellite communication or via the Internet, or as a paid-for telephone communication, or appears in a newspaper, magazine or on a billboard, or is sent by mail; or

(3) The transfer of funds by a committee to another committee.

(b) The term “expenditure” does not mean:

(1) A loan of money, made in the ordinary course of business, by a state or national bank;

(2) A communication made by any corporation, organization or association solely to its members, owners, stockholders, executive or administrative personnel, or their families;

(3) Nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns by any corporation, organization or association aimed at its members, owners, stockholders, executive or administrative personnel, or their families;

(4) Uncompensated services provided by individuals volunteering their time on behalf of a party committee, political committee, slate committee or candidate committee, including any services provided for the benefit of nonparticipating and participating candidates under the Citizens’ Election Program and any unreimbursed travel expenses made by an individual who volunteers the individual’s personal services to any such committee. For purposes of this subdivision, an individual is a volunteer if such individual is not receiving compensation for such services regardless of whether such individual received compensation in the past or may receive compensation for similar services that may be performed in the future;

(5) Any news story, commentary or editorial distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine or other periodical, unless such facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, committee or candidate;

(6) The use of real or personal property, a portion or all of the cost of invitations and the cost of food or beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual to a candidate, including a nonparticipating or participating candidate under the Citizens’ Election Program, or to a party, political or slate committee, in rendering voluntary personal services at the individual’s residential premises or a community room in the individual’s residence facility, to the extent that the cumulative value of the invitations, food or beverages provided by an individual on behalf of any candidate or committee does not exceed four hundred dollars with respect to any single event or does not exceed eight hundred dollars for any such event hosted by two or more individuals, provided at least one such individual owns or resides at the residential premises, and further provided the cumulative value of the invitations, food or beverages provided by an individual on behalf of any such candidate or committee does not exceed eight hundred dollars with respect to a calendar year or single election, as the case may be;

(7) A communication described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section that includes speech or expression made (A) prior to the ninety-day period preceding the date of a primary or an election at which the clearly identified candidate or candidates are seeking nomination to public office or position, that is made for the purpose of influencing any legislative or administrative action, as defined in section 1-91, or executive action, or (B) during a legislative session for the purpose of influencing legislative action;

(8) An organization expenditure by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee;

(9) A commercial advertisement that refers to an owner, director or officer of a business entity who is also a candidate and that had previously been broadcast or appeared when the owner, director or officer was not a candidate;

(10) A communication containing an endorsement on behalf of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, from a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, shall not be an expenditure attributable to the endorsing candidate, if the candidate making the endorsement is unopposed at the time of the communication;

(11) A communication that is sent by mail to addresses in the district for which a candidate being endorsed by another candidate pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision is seeking nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, containing an endorsement on behalf of such candidate for such nomination or election, from a candidate for the office of state senator or state representative, shall not be an expenditure attributable to the endorsing candidate, if the candidate making the endorsement is not seeking election to the office of state senator or state representative for a district that contains any geographical area shared by the district for the office to which the endorsed candidate is seeking nomination or election;

(12) Campaign training events provided to multiple individuals by a legislative caucus committee and any associated materials, provided the cumulative value of such events and materials does not exceed six thousand dollars in the aggregate for a calendar year;

(13) A lawful communication by any charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended;

(14) The use of offices, telephones, computers and similar equipment provided by a party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee that serve as headquarters for or are used by such party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee; or

(15) An expense or expenses incurred by a human being acting alone in an amount that is two hundred dollars or less, in the aggregate, that benefits a candidate for a single election.

(c) “Expense incurred but not paid” means any receipt of goods or services for which payment is required but not made or a written contract, promise or agreement to make an expenditure.

(d) The provisions of subdivision (6) of subsection (b) of this section concerning the cost of invitations shall not be construed as preventing the candidate or the party, political or slate committee from paying all or any portion of such costs, in which case such amount paid by such candidate or committee shall not count toward the calculation of the cumulative value of the invitations, food or beverages provided pursuant to said subdivision (6).

Sec. 9-601c. “Independent expenditure” defined. (a) As used in this chapter and chapter 157, the term “independent expenditure” means an expenditure, as defined in section 9-601b, that is made without the consent, coordination, or consultation of, a candidate or agent of the candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee.

(b) When the State Elections Enforcement Commission evaluates an expenditure to determine whether such expenditure is an independent expenditure, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the following expenditures are not independent expenditures:

(1) An expenditure made by a person in cooperation, consultation or in concert with, at the request, suggestion or direction of, or pursuant to a general or particular understanding with (A) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;

(2) An expenditure made by a person for the production, dissemination, distribution or publication, in whole or in substantial part, of any broadcast or any written, graphic or other form of political advertising or campaign communication prepared by (A) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;

(3) An expenditure made by a person based on information about a candidate’s, political committee’s, or party committee’s plans, projects or needs, provided by (A) a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, with the intent that such expenditure be made;

(4) An expenditure made by an individual who, in the same election cycle, is serving or has served as the campaign chairperson, treasurer or deputy treasurer of a candidate committee, political committee or party committee benefiting from such expenditure, or in any other executive or policymaking position, including as a member, employee, fundraiser, consultant or other agent, of a candidate committee, political committee or party committee;

(5) An expenditure made by a person or an entity on or after January first in the year of an election in which a candidate is seeking public office that benefits such candidate when such person or entity has hired an individual as an employee or consultant and such individual was an employee of or consultant to such candidate’s candidate committee or such candidate’s opponent’s candidate committee during any part of the eighteen-month period preceding such expenditure;

(6) An expenditure made by a person for fundraising activities (A) for a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or (B) for the solicitation or receipt of contributions on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee;

(7) An expenditure made by a person based on information about a candidate’s campaign plans, projects or needs, that is directly or indirectly provided by a candidate, the candidate’s candidate committee, a political committee or a party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of such candidate, candidate committee, political committee or party committee, to the person making the expenditure or such person’s agent, with an express or tacit understanding that such person is considering making the expenditure;

(8) An expenditure made by a person for a communication that clearly identifies a candidate during an election campaign, if the person making the expenditure, or such person’s agent, has informed the candidate who benefits from the expenditure, that candidate’s candidate committee, a political committee or a party committee, or a consultant or other agent acting on behalf of the benefiting candidate or candidate committee, political committee, or party committee, concerning the communication’s contents, or of the intended audience, timing, location or mode or frequency of dissemination. As used in this subdivision, a communication clearly identifies a candidate when that communication contains the name, nickname, initials, photograph or drawing of the candidate or an unambiguous reference to that candidate, which includes, but is not limited to, a reference that can only mean that candidate; and

(9) An expenditure made by a person or an entity for consultant or creative services, including, but not limited to, services related to communications strategy or design or campaign strategy or to engage a campaign-related vendor, to be used to promote or oppose a candidate’s election to office if the provider of such services is or has provided consultant or creative services to such candidate, such candidate’s candidate committee or an agent of such candidate committee, or to any opposing candidate’s candidate committee or an agent of such candidate committee after January first of the year in which the expenditure occurs. For purposes of this subdivision, communications strategy or design does not include the costs of printing or costs for the use of a medium for the purpose of communications. For purposes of this subdivision, campaign-related vendor includes, but is not limited to, a vendor that provides the following services: Polling, mail design, mail strategy, political strategy, general campaign advice or telephone banking.

(c) When the State Elections Enforcement Commission evaluates an expenditure to determine whether an expenditure by entity is an independent expenditure, the following shall not be presumed to constitute evidence of consent, coordination or consultation within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section: (1) Participation by a candidate or an agent of the candidate in an event sponsored by the entity, unless such event promotes the success of the candidate’s candidacy or the defeat of the candidate’s opponent, or unless the event is during the period that is forty-five days prior to the primary for which the candidate is seeking nomination for election or election to office; (2) membership of the candidate or agent of the candidate in the entity, unless the candidate or agent of the candidate holds an executive or policymaking position within the entity after the candidate becomes a candidate; or (3) financial support for, or solicitation or fundraising on behalf of the entity by a candidate or an agent of the candidate, unless the entity has made or obligated to make independent expenditures in support of such candidate in the election or primary for which the candidate is a candidate.

(d) When the State Elections Enforcement Commission evaluates an expenditure to determine whether such expenditure is an independent expenditure, the commission shall consider, as an effective rebuttal to the presumptions provided in subsection (b) of this section, the establishment by the person making the expenditure of a firewall policy designed and implemented to prohibit the flow of information between (1) employees, consultants or other individuals providing services to the person paying for the expenditure, and (2) the candidate or agents of the candidate.

Sec. 9-601d. Making of independent expenditures. Filing of reports. Exceptions. (a) Any person, as defined in section 9-601, may, unless otherwise restricted or prohibited by law, including, but not limited to, any provision of this chapter or chapter 157, make unlimited independent expenditures, as defined in section 9-601c, and accept unlimited covered transfers, as defined in said section 9-601. Except as provided pursuant to this section, any such person who makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, shall file statements according to the same schedule and in the same manner as is required of a treasurer of a candidate committee pursuant to section 9-608.

(b) Any person who makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure or expenditures in an election or primary for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, state senator or state representative, which exceed one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, during a primary campaign or a general election campaign, as defined in section 9-700, shall file, electronically, a long-form and a short-form report of such independent expenditure or expenditures with the State Elections Enforcement Commission pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section. The person that makes or obligates to make such independent expenditure or expenditures shall file such reports not later than twenty-four hours after (1) making any such payment, or (2) obligating to make any such payment, with respect to the primary or election. If any such person makes or incurs a subsequent independent expenditure, such person shall report such expenditure pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. Such reports shall be filed under penalty of false statement.

(c) The independent expenditure long-form report shall identify: (1) The name of the person making or obligating to make such expenditure or expenditures; (2) the tax exempt status of such person, if applicable; (3) the mailing address of such person; (4) the principal business address of the person, if different from the mailing address; (5) the address, telephone number and electronic mail address of the agent for service of process in this state of such person; (6) the date of the primary or election for which the independent expenditure or expenditures were made or obligated to be made; (7) the name of any candidate who was the subject of any independent expenditure or expenditures and whether the independent expenditure or expenditures were in support of or in opposition to such candidate; and (8) the name, telephone number and electronic mail address for the individual filing such report. Such individual filing such report shall affirm that the expenditure reported is an independent expenditure under penalty of false statement.

(d) As part of any filing made pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and for each subsequent independent expenditure made or obligated to be made by a person with respect to the primary or election for which a long-form report pursuant to subsection (c) of this section has been filed on behalf of such person, an individual shall file, electronically, a short-form report for each such independent expenditure, not later than twenty-four hours after such person makes a payment for an independent expenditure or obligates to make such an independent expenditure. Such short-form report shall identify: (1) The name of the person making or obligating to make such independent expenditure; (2) the amount of the independent expenditure; (3) whether the independent expenditure was in support of or in opposition to a candidate and the name of such candidate; (4) a brief description of the expenditure made, including the type of communication, based on categories determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, and the allocation of such expenditure in support of or in opposition to each candidate, if such expenditure was made in support of or in opposition to more than one candidate; and (5) the name, telephone number and electronic mail address for the individual filing such report. Such individual filing such report shall affirm that the expenditure reported is an independent expenditure under penalty of false statement.

(e) No person reporting an independent expenditure pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) or (d) of this section shall be required to file a statement pursuant to section 9-608 for such independent expenditure.

(f) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, as part of any statement filed pursuant to this section, if a person who makes or obligates to make an independent expenditure (A) has received a covered transfer during the twelve-month period prior to a primary or election, as applicable to the reported expenditure, for an office that a candidate described in subdivision (7) of subsection (c) of this section is seeking, and (B) such independent expenditure is made or obligated to be made on or after the date that is one hundred eighty days prior to such primary or election, such person shall disclose the source and the amount of any such covered transfer such person received that is in an amount that is five thousand dollars or more, in the aggregate, during the twelve-month period prior to such primary or election, as applicable to the reported expenditure.

(2) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to any person who discloses the source and amount of a covered transfer described in subdivision (1) of this subsection as part of any report to the Federal Election Commission or the Internal Revenue Service, provided such person includes a copy of any such report as part of the report of each applicable independent expenditure pursuant to this section. If a source and amount of a covered transfer is not included as part of any such report, the maker of the expenditure shall disclose the source and amount of such covered transfer pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, if applicable.

(g) (1) A person may, unless otherwise restricted or prohibited by law, including, but not limited to, any provision of this chapter or chapter 157, establish a dedicated independent expenditure account, for the purpose of engaging in independent expenditures, that is segregated from all other accounts controlled by such person. Such dedicated independent expenditure account may receive covered transfers directly from persons other than the person establishing the dedicated account and may not receive transfers from another account controlled by the person establishing the dedicated account, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection. If an independent expenditure is made from such segregated account, any report required pursuant to this section or disclaimer required pursuant to section 9-621 may include only those persons who made covered transfers directly to the dedicated independent expenditure account.

(2) If a person who has made a covered transfer to another account controlled by the person establishing a dedicated independent expenditure account requests that such covered transfer be used for the purposes of making an independent expenditure from the dedicated independent expenditure account, the amount of such covered transfer may be transferred to the dedicated independent expenditure account and shall be treated as a covered transfer directly to the dedicated independent expenditure account.

(h) Any person may file a complaint with the commission upon the belief that (1) any such independent expenditure report or statement is false, or (2) any person who is required to file an independent expenditure report under this subsection has failed to do so. The commission shall make a prompt determination on such a complaint.

(i) (1) If a person fails to file a report in accordance with the provisions of this section for an independent expenditure or expenditures made or obligated to be made more than ninety days before the day of a primary or election, the person shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, of not more than ten thousand dollars. If a person fails to file a report required in accordance with the provisions of this section for an independent expenditure or expenditures made or obligated to be made ninety days or less before the day of a primary or election, such person shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, of not more than twenty thousand dollars.

(2) If any such failure is knowing and wilful, the person responsible for the failure shall also be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars and the commission may refer the matter to the office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

Sec. 9-601e. Impermissible coordinated expenditure. Liability for penalty. If the State Elections Enforcement Commission finds that an expenditure, as defined in section 9-601b, is coordinated with a candidate committee or candidate or an agent of the candidate, in a manner not permissible under the provisions of this chapter, the candidate, agent of the candidate, if applicable, or treasurer of such committee who participated in or had knowledge of such coordination, shall be jointly and severally liable for paying any penalty levied by the commission under section 9-7b.

Sec. 9-602. (Formerly Sec. 9-333d). Designation of treasurer and depository institution. Certification. Persons authorized to receive contributions. Duties of treasurer. Personal jurisdiction of State Elections Enforcement Commission over nonresidents. (a) Except with respect to an individual acting alone, or with respect to a group of two or more individuals acting together that receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures not exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate, no contributions may be made, solicited or received and no expenditures, other than independent expenditures, may be made, directly or indirectly, in aid of or in opposition to the candidacy for nomination or election of any individual or any party or referendum question, unless (1) the candidate or chairman of the committee has filed a designation of a treasurer and a depository institution situated in this state as the depository for the committee’s funds, or (2) the candidate has filed a certification in accordance with the provisions of section 9-604. In the case of a political committee, the filing of the statement of organization by the chairman of such committee, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-605, shall constitute compliance with the provisions of this subsection.

(b) No contribution in aid of or in opposition to the candidacy of any person or to any party or referendum question shall be made at any time, except to the committee’s treasurer whose designation is on file with the proper authority, a solicitor or a candidate who is exempt from the requirement to form a candidate committee and has filed a certification.

(c) An individual who is designated as treasurer of a committee shall be responsible for all duties required of him under this chapter until the committee is terminated. The treasurer shall be relieved of such duties upon his permanent incapacity, resignation or replacement, provided a statement to that effect is filed with the proper authority, as provided in section 9-603. In the event of the death of the treasurer or after a statement has been filed concerning the treasurer’s incapacity, resignation or replacement, if a deputy treasurer has been designated, the deputy treasurer shall be responsible for all duties required of the treasurer under this chapter until the candidate or chairman of the committee files with the proper authority a designation of a successor treasurer. If a deputy treasurer has not been designated, the candidate or chairman shall designate a successor treasurer and file such designation with the proper authority not more than ten days after the death of the treasurer or the filing of the statement of his incapacity, resignation or replacement.

(d) (1) In addition to its jurisdiction over persons who are residents of this state, the State Elections Enforcement Commission may exercise personal jurisdiction over any nonresident person, or the agent of such nonresident person, who makes a payment of money, gives anything of value or makes a contribution or expenditure, in excess of two hundred dollars, to or for the benefit of any committee or candidate.

(2) Where personal jurisdiction is based solely upon this subsection, an appearance does not confer personal jurisdiction with respect to causes of action not arising from an act enumerated in this subsection.

(3) Any nonresident person or the agent of such person over whom the State Elections Enforcement Commission may exercise personal jurisdiction, as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of the State as the person’s or agent’s attorney and to have agreed that any process in any complaint, investigation or other matter conducted pursuant to section 9-7b and brought against the nonresident person, or said person’s agent, may be served upon the Secretary of the State and shall have the same validity as if served upon such nonresident person or agent personally. The process shall be served upon the Secretary of the State by the officer to whom the same is directed by leaving with or at the office of the Secretary of the State, at least twelve days before any required appearance day of such process, a true and attested copy of such process, and by sending to the nonresident person or agent so served, at the person’s or agent’s last-known address, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, a like and attested copy with an endorsement thereon of the service upon the Secretary of the State. The Secretary of the State shall keep a record of each such process and the day and hour of service.

Sec. 9-603. (Formerly Sec. 9-333e). Filing of statements and certification. Transfer of administration of campaign finance reporting to State Elections Enforcement Commission. (a) Statements filed by party committees, political committees formed to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question proposing a constitutional convention, constitutional amendment or revision of the Constitution, individual lobbyists, and those political committees and candidate committees formed to aid or promote the success or defeat of any candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, State Comptroller, Attorney General, judge of probate and members of the General Assembly, shall be filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. A political committee formed for a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace shall file statements with the town clerk of the municipality in which the primary is to be held.

(b) Statements filed by political committees formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question to be voted upon by the electors of a single municipality and those political committees or candidate committees formed to aid or promote the success or defeat of any candidate for public office, other than those enumerated in subsection (a) of this section, or the position of town committee member shall be filed only with the town clerk of the municipality in which the election or referendum is to be held. Each unsalaried town clerk shall be entitled to receive ten cents from the town for the filing of each such statement.

(c) A certification of a candidate who is exempt from the requirement of subsection (a) of section 9-604 to form a candidate committee shall be filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission if the candidate seeks an office enumerated in subsection (a) of this section, or with the town clerk of the municipality in which the election is to be held if the candidate seeks an office other than those enumerated. A certification of a group of individuals who have joined solely to aid or promote a referendum question and who are exempt from the requirement to form a political committee under section 9-605 shall be filed with the town clerk of each municipality in which the referendum is to be held.

(d) On December 31, 2006, the duties of the Secretary of the State concerning the administration of campaign finance reporting under this chapter shall be transferred to the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Sec. 9-604. (Formerly Sec. 9-333f). Formation of committee by candidate. Exceptions. Exploratory committees. Justice of the peace slate candidates. (a) Each candidate for a particular public office or the position of town committee member shall form a single candidate committee for which he shall designate a treasurer and a depository institution situated in this state as the depository for the committee’s funds and shall file a committee statement containing such designations, not later than ten days after becoming a candidate, with the proper authority as required by section 9-603. The candidate may also designate a deputy treasurer on such committee statement. The treasurer and any deputy treasurer so designated shall sign a statement accepting such designation which the candidate shall include as part of, or file with, the committee statement.

(b) The formation of a candidate committee by a candidate and the filing of statements pursuant to section 9-608 shall not be required if the candidate files a certification with the proper authority required by section 9-603, not later than ten days after becoming a candidate, and any of the following conditions exist for the campaign: (1) The candidate is one of a slate of candidates whose campaigns are funded solely by a party committee or a political committee formed for a single election or primary and expenditures made on behalf of the candidate’s campaign are reported by the committee sponsoring the candidate’s candidacy; (2) the candidate finances the candidate’s campaign entirely from personal funds and does not solicit or receive contributions, provided if said candidate personally makes an expenditure or expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars to, or for the benefit of, said candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to an office or position, said candidate shall file statements according to the same schedule and in the same manner as is required of a treasurer of a candidate committee under section 9-608; (3) the candidate does not receive or expend funds in excess of one thousand dollars; or (4) the candidate does not receive or expend any funds, including personal funds, for the candidate’s campaign. If the candidate no longer qualifies for the exemption under any of these conditions, the candidate shall comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, not later than three business days thereafter and shall provide the candidate’s designated treasurer with all information required for completion of the treasurer’s statements and filings as required by section 9-608. If the candidate no longer qualifies for the exemption due to the condition stated in the candidate’s certification but so qualifies due to a different condition specified in this subsection, the candidate shall file an amended certification with the proper authority and provide the new condition for the candidate’s qualification not later than three business days following the change in circumstances of the financing of the candidate’s campaign. The filing of a certification under this subsection shall not relieve the candidate from compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

(c) The chairman of a political committee formed to support a single candidate for public office shall, not later than seven days after filing a statement of organization with the proper authority under section 9-603, send the candidate a notice, by certified mail, of such filing. If a candidate (1) does not, within fourteen days after receiving such notice, disavow such committee, in writing, to the proper authority under section 9-603, or (2) disavows such committee within such period, but, at any time before such disavowal, accepts funds from the committee for his campaign, such committee shall be deemed to have been authorized by such candidate and shall constitute a candidate committee for the purposes of this chapter. No candidate shall establish, agree to or assist in establishing, or give his consent or authorization to establishing a committee other than a single candidate committee to promote his candidacy for any public office except that a candidate may establish an exploratory committee. The candidate shall designate on the statement of organization for the exploratory committee the type of office to which the candidate is determining whether to seek nomination or election, as follows: (A) The General Assembly, (B) a state office, or (C) any other public office. The candidate may also certify on the statement of organization that the candidate will not be a candidate for the office of state representative. Not later than fifteen days after a public declaration by the candidate of the candidate’s intention to seek nomination or election to a particular public office, the candidate shall form a single candidate committee, except that in the case of a candidate establishing an exploratory committee for purposes including aiding or promoting the candidate’s candidacy for nomination or election to the General Assembly or a state office, the candidate shall form a single candidate committee not later than fifteen days after the date that the treasurer of such exploratory committee is required to file a notice of intent to dissolve the committee under subsection (f) of section 9-608. As used in this subsection, “state office” has the same meaning as provided in subsection (e) of section 9-610.

(d) A slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace shall designate a chairperson to form a single political committee to comply with the requirements of section 9-605, except if the individuals on the slate unanimously consent to have their campaign financed solely by a town committee and such committee consents to such financing by filing a statement of consent with the town clerk of the municipality in which the primary is to be held.

Sec. 9-605. (Formerly Sec. 9-333g). Political committees; designation of treasurer; registration statement, time for filing, contents of statement. Exception. Limits on establishment of political committees. Legislative caucus committees. Legislative leadership committees. (a) The chairperson of each political committee shall designate a treasurer and may designate a deputy treasurer. The treasurer and any deputy treasurer so designated shall sign a statement accepting the designation. The chairperson of each political committee shall file a registration statement described in subsection (b) of this section along with the statement signed by the designated treasurer and deputy treasurer with the proper authority, within ten days after its organization, provided that the chairperson of any political committee organized within ten days prior to any primary, election or referendum in connection with which it intends to make any contributions or expenditures, shall immediately file a registration statement.

(b) The registration statement shall include: (1) The name and address of the committee; (2) a statement of the purpose of the committee; (3) the name and address of its treasurer, and deputy treasurer if applicable; (4) the name, address and position of its chairman, and other principal officers if applicable; (5) the name and address of the depository institution for its funds; (6) the name of each person, other than an individual, that is a member of the committee; (7) the name and party affiliation of each candidate whom the committee is supporting and the office or position sought by each candidate; (8) if the committee is supporting the entire ticket of any party, a statement to that effect and the name of the party; (9) if the committee is supporting or opposing any referendum question, a brief statement identifying the substance of the question; (10) if the committee is established by a business entity or organization, the name of the entity or organization; (11) if the committee is established by an organization, whether it will receive its funds from the organization’s treasury or from voluntary contributions; (12) if the committee files reports with the Federal Elections Commission or any out-of-state agency, a statement to that effect including the name of the agency; (13) a statement indicating whether the committee is established for a single primary, election or referendum or for ongoing political activities; (14) if the committee is established or controlled by a lobbyist, a statement to that effect and the name of the lobbyist; (15) the name and address of the person making the initial contribution or disbursement, if any, to the committee; and (16) any information that the State Elections Enforcement Commission requires to facilitate compliance with the provisions of this chapter or chapter 157. If no such initial contribution or disbursement has been made at the time of the filing of such statement, the treasurer of the committee shall, not later than forty-eight hours after receipt of such contribution or disbursement, file a report with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The report shall be in the same form as statements filed under section 9-608.

(c) The treasurer of each political committee shall report any addition to or change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization to the proper authority not later than ten days after the addition or change, provided if an officer of the committee has changed, such amended statement shall be filed by the chairperson of the committee.

(d) A group of two or more individuals who have joined solely to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not be required to file as a political committee, make such designations in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) of this section or file statements pursuant to section 9-608, if the group does not receive or expend in excess of one thousand dollars for the entire campaign. If the group receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate, the group shall complete the statement of organization and file as a political committee not later than three business days thereafter. The group shall provide the designated treasurer with all information required for completion of the statements for filing as required by section 9-608.

(e) (1) No individual shall establish or control more than one political committee. The indicia of establishment or control of a political committee by an individual includes the individual serving as chairperson or treasurer of the committee and may include, but shall not be limited to, the individual making the initial contribution to the committee. Such indicia shall not include (A) an individual communicating with (i) an officer of the political committee, or (ii) any individual establishing or controlling the political committee, or (B) the individual monitoring contributions made by the political committee. Any individual who, on December 31, 2006, has established or controls more than one political committee shall, not later than thirty days after said date, disavow all but one of such committees, in writing, to the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the establishment of an exploratory committee by an elected public official.

(2) The members of the same political party in a house of the General Assembly may establish a single legislative caucus committee. The chairperson of each such committee shall certify the designation of such committee as a legislative caucus committee and shall file such certification along with the statement of organization pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Each such committee shall be identified in such designation by the house of the General Assembly in which such legislators serve and the political party to which they belong. A legislative caucus committee shall not be subject to the limitation in subdivision (1) of this subsection on the establishment or control of one political committee by any individual.

(3) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the speaker of the House of Representatives, majority leader of the House of Representatives, president pro tempore of the Senate and majority leader of the Senate may each establish a single legislative leadership committee, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the Senate may each establish two legislative leadership committees. The chairperson of each such committee shall certify the designation of such committee as a legislative leadership committee and shall file such certification along with the statement of organization pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Each such committee shall be identified in such designation by the General Assembly leader who establishes the committee. A legislative leadership committee shall not be subject to the limitation in subdivision (1) of this subsection on the establishment or control of one political committee by any individual.

(B) The majority leaders-elect and minority leaders-elect of the House of Representatives and Senate may each establish a legislative leadership committee, provided any other leadership committee for the same leadership position held by an individual who is leaving that leadership position declines to accept contributions and the legislative leadership committee for the leader-elect does not accept contributions for the remainder of the calendar year that would otherwise be prohibited if such contributions were directed to the leadership committee of the individual who is leaving that leadership position due to contribution limits on the contributor pursuant to sections 9-610, 9-612 and 9-617.

Sec. 9-606. (Formerly Sec. 9-333h). Duties and qualifications of treasurers. Appointment and duties of solicitors. (a) The treasurer of each committee shall be responsible for (1) depositing, receiving and reporting all contributions and other funds in the manner specified in section 9-608, (2) making and reporting expenditures, (3) reporting expenses incurred but not yet paid, (4) filing the statements required under section 9-608, and (5) keeping internal records of each entry made on such statements. The treasurer of each committee shall deposit contributions in the committee’s designated depository not later than twenty days after receiving them. The treasurer of each political committee or party committee which makes a contribution of goods to another committee shall send written notice to the treasurer of the recipient committee before the close of the reporting period during which the contribution was made. The notice shall be signed by the treasurer of the committee making the contribution and shall include the full name of such committee, the date on which the contribution was made, a complete description of the contribution and the value of the contribution. Any dispute concerning the information contained in such notice shall be resolved by the treasurer of the recipient committee. Such resolution shall not impair in any way the authority of the State Elections Enforcement Commission under section 9-7b. The treasurer of the recipient committee shall preserve each such notice received for the period prescribed by subsection (f) of section 9-607.

(b) A contribution in the form of a check drawn on a joint bank account shall, for the purpose of allocation, be deemed to be a contribution made by the individual who signed the check, except such contribution shall be allocated in accordance with the provisions of a signed statement, if any, from the holders of such joint bank account that indicates how such contribution should be differently allocated. If a check is signed by more than one individual, the total amount of the check shall be divided equally among the cosigners for the purpose of allocation, except such contribution shall be allocated in accordance with the provisions of a signed statement, if any, from the holders of such joint bank account that indicates how such contribution should be differently allocated. If a committee receives an anonymous contribution, the treasurer shall immediately remit the contribution to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for deposit in the General Fund.

(c) The treasurer of each committee, other than a political committee established by an organization which receives its funds from the organization’s treasury, may appoint solicitors. If solicitors are appointed, the treasurer shall receive and report all contributions made or promised to each solicitor. Each solicitor shall submit to the treasurer a list of all contributions made or promised to him. The list shall be complete as of seventy-two hours immediately preceding midnight of the day preceding the dates on which the treasurer is required to file a sworn statement as provided in section 9-608. Lists shall be received by the treasurer not later than twenty-four hours immediately preceding each required filing date. Each solicitor shall deposit all contributions with the treasurer, within seven days after receipt. No solicitor shall expend any contributions received by him or disburse such contributions to any person other than the treasurer.

(d) No person shall act as a treasurer or deputy treasurer (1) unless the person is an elector of this state, the person has paid any civil penalties or forfeitures assessed pursuant to chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, and a statement, signed by the chairman in the case of a party committee or political committee or by the candidate in the case of a candidate committee, designating the person as treasurer or deputy treasurer, has been filed in accordance with section 9-603, and (2) if such person has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, in a court of competent jurisdiction, any (A) felony involving fraud, forgery, larceny, embezzlement or bribery, or (B) criminal offense under this title, unless at least eight years have elapsed from the date of the conviction or plea or the completion of any sentence, whichever date is later, without a subsequent conviction of or plea to another such felony or offense. In the case of a political committee, the filing of a statement of organization by the chairman of the committee, in accordance with the provisions of section 9-605, shall constitute compliance with the filing requirements of this section. No provision of this subsection shall prevent the treasurer, deputy treasurer or solicitor of any committee from being the treasurer, deputy treasurer or solicitor of any other committee or prevent any committee from having more than one solicitor, but no candidate shall have more than one treasurer. A candidate shall not serve as the candidate’s own treasurer or deputy treasurer, except that a candidate who is exempt from forming a candidate committee under subsection (b) of section 9-604 and has filed a certification that the candidate is financing the candidate’s campaign from the candidate’s own personal funds or is not receiving or expending in excess of one thousand dollars may perform the duties of a treasurer for the candidate’s own campaign.

Sec. 9-606a. Terms “treasurer” and “deputy treasurer” substituted for “campaign treasurer” and “deputy campaign treasurer”. (a)(1) Wherever the term “campaign treasurer” is used in the following sections of the general statutes, the term “treasurer” shall be substituted in lieu thereof; and (2) wherever the term “deputy campaign treasurer” is used in the following sections of the general statutes, the term “deputy treasurer” shall be substituted in lieu thereof: 9-7b, 9-602, 9-604, 9-605, 9-606, 9-607, 9-608, 9-609, 9-610, 9-614, 9-622, 9-623, 9-624, 9-675, 9-700, 9-703, 9-704, 9-706, 9-707, 9-709, 9-711 and 9-712.

(b) The Legislative Commissioners’ Office shall, in codifying the provisions of this section, make such technical, grammatical and punctuation changes as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

Sec. 9-607. (Formerly Sec. 9-333i). Making of expenditures.(a) Authorization by treasurer. No financial obligation shall be incurred by a committee unless authorized by the treasurer, except that certain expenditures of a candidate’s personal funds may be reimbursed as provided in subsection (k) of this section.

(b) Nonliability for unauthorized debts. No candidate, treasurer, or committee shall be liable for any debt incurred in aid of or in opposition to any political party, referendum question or the candidacy of any person or persons for said offices or positions unless such debt was incurred pursuant to an authorization issued under subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Election day expenditures. On any day on which an election or primary is being held, the treasurer of any committee which functions as a town committee may give a check to one individual in each voting district of the municipality in which the election or primary is being held. The check shall be drawn by the treasurer against the committee’s depository institution account to the order of such individual in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars. Such individual may use the proceeds of the check to make cash expenditures in such voting district for per diem allotments to campaign workers, or expenses incurred by campaign workers on election or primary day, including but not limited to, food, beverages, gasoline and other similar ordinary and necessary expenses. Such individual shall submit to the treasurer, within forty-eight hours after the closing of the polls, a detailed accounting of all such expenditures. The treasurer shall report the names of all such individuals and the expenditures made by them in accordance with the provisions of section 9-608.

(d) Payment by treasurer. Except as provided in subsections (j) and (k) of this section, no payment in satisfaction of any financial obligation incurred by a committee shall be made by or accepted from any person other than the treasurer and then only according to the tenor of an authorization issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(e) Method of payment. Petty cash fund. (1) Any such payment shall be by check drawn by the treasurer, on the designated depository. Any payment in satisfaction of any financial obligation incurred by a committee may also be made by debit card or credit card. In the case of payment made under a contract between a committee and a community antenna television company, as defined in section 16-1, for the purchase of advertisement space, the treasurer of such committee may pay for such services using a bank or cashier’s check, as defined in section 42a-3-104, if so required by the contract, provided the treasurer maintains documentation substantiating that the funds used to pay for such advertising space were expended from the committee’s funds. (2) The treasurer of each committee may draw a check, not to exceed one hundred dollars, to establish a petty cash fund and may deposit additional funds to maintain it, but the fund shall not exceed one hundred dollars at any time. All expenditures from a petty cash fund shall be reported in the same manner as any other expenditure.

(f) Preservation of internal records, credit card statements and receipts, checks and bank statements. The treasurer shall preserve all internal records of transactions required to be entered in reports filed pursuant to section 9-608 for four years from the date of the report in which the transactions were entered. Internal records required to be maintained in order for any permissible expenditure to be paid from committee funds include, but are not limited to, contemporaneous invoices, receipts, bills, statements, itineraries, or other written or documentary evidence showing the campaign or other lawful purpose of the expenditure. If a committee incurs expenses by credit card, the treasurer shall preserve all credit card statements and receipts for four years from the date of the report in which the transaction was required to be entered. If any checks are issued pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, the treasurer who issues them shall preserve all cancelled checks and bank statements for four years from the date on which they are issued. If debit card payments are made pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, the treasurer who makes said payments shall preserve all debit card slips and bank statements for four years from the date on which the payments are made. In the case of a candidate committee, the treasurer or the candidate, if the candidate so requests, shall preserve all internal records, cancelled checks, debit cards slips and bank statements for four years from the date of the last report required to be filed under subsection (a) of section 9-608.

(g) Permissible expenditures. (1) As used in this subsection, (A) “the lawful purposes of the committee” means: (i) For a candidate committee or exploratory committee, the promoting of the nomination or election of the candidate who established the committee, except that after a political party nominates candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, whose names shall be so placed on the ballot in the election that an elector will cast a single vote for both candidates, as prescribed in section 9-181, a candidate committee established by either such candidate may also promote the election of the other such candidate; (ii) for a political committee, the promoting of a political party, including party building activities, the success or defeat of candidates for nomination and election to public office or position subject to the requirements of this chapter, or the success or defeat of referendum questions, provided a political committee formed for a single referendum question shall not promote the success or defeat of any candidate, and provided further a legislative leadership committee or a legislative caucus committee may expend funds to defray costs for conducting legislative or constituency-related business which are not reimbursed or paid by the state; and (iii) for a party committee, the promoting of the party, party building activities, the candidates of the party and continuing operating costs of the party, and (B) “immediate family” means a spouse or dependent child of a candidate who resides in the candidate’s household.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by this chapter, any treasurer, in accomplishing the lawful purposes of the committee, may pay the expenses of: (A) Advertising in electronic and print media; (B) any other form of printed advertising or communications including “thank you” advertising after the election; (C) campaign items, including, but not limited to, brochures, leaflets, flyers, invitations, stationery, envelopes, reply cards, return envelopes, campaign business cards, direct mailings, postcards, palm cards, “thank you” notes, sample ballots and other similar items; (D) political banners and billboards; (E) political paraphernalia, which is customarily given or sold to supporters including, but not limited to, campaign buttons, stickers, pins, pencils, pens, matchbooks, balloons, pads, calendars, magnets, key chains, hats, tee shirts, sweatshirts, frisbees, pot holders, jar openers and other similar items; (F) purchasing office supplies for campaign or political purposes, campaign photographs, raffle or other fund-raising permits required by law, fund-raiser prizes, postage, express mail delivery services, bulk mail permits, and computer supplies and services; (G) banking service charges to maintain campaign and political accounts; (H) subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals which enhance the candidacy of the candidate or party; (I) lease or rental of office space for campaign or political purposes and expenses in connection therewith including, but not limited to, furniture, parking, storage space, utilities and maintenance, provided a party committee or political committee organized for ongoing political activities may purchase such office space; (J) lease or rental of vehicles for campaign use only; (K) lease, rental or use charges of any ordinary and necessary campaign office equipment including, but not limited to, copy machines, telephones, postage meters, facsimile machines, computer hardware, software and printers, provided a party committee or political committee organized for ongoing political activities may purchase office equipment, and provided further that a candidate committee or a political committee, other than a political committee formed for ongoing political activities or an exploratory committee, may purchase computer equipment; (L) compensation for campaign or committee staff, fringe benefits and payroll taxes, provided the candidate and any member of his immediate family shall not receive compensation; (M) travel, meals and lodging expenses of speakers, campaign or committee workers, the candidate and the candidate’s spouse for political and campaign purposes; (N) fund raising; (O) reimbursements to candidates and campaign or committee workers made in accordance with the provisions of this section for campaign-related expenses for which a receipt is received by the treasurer; (P) campaign or committee services of attorneys, accountants, consultants or other professional persons for campaign activities, obtaining or contesting ballot status, nomination, or election, and compliance with this chapter; (Q) purchasing campaign finance reports; (R) repaying permissible campaign loans made to the committee that are properly reported and refunding contributions received from an impermissible source or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter; (S) conducting polls concerning any political party, issue, candidate or individual; (T) gifts to campaign or committee workers or purchasing flowers or other commemorative items for political purposes not to exceed one hundred dollars to any one recipient in a calendar year or for the campaign, as the case may be; (U) purchasing tickets or advertising from charities, inaugural committees, or other civic organizations if for a political purpose, for any candidate, a candidate’s spouse, a member of a candidate’s campaign staff, or members of committees; (V) the inauguration of an elected candidate by that candidate’s candidate committee; (W) hiring of halls, rooms, music and other entertainment for political meetings and events; (X) reasonable compensation for public speakers hired by the committee; (Y) transporting electors to the polls and other get-out-the-vote activities on election day; and (Z) any other necessary campaign or political expense.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a candidate from purchasing equipment from his personal funds and leasing or renting such equipment to his candidate committee or his exploratory committee, provided the candidate and his treasurer sign a written lease or rental agreement. Such agreement shall include the lease or rental price, which shall not exceed the fair lease or rental value of the equipment. The candidate shall not receive lease or rental payments which in the aggregate exceed his cost of purchasing the equipment.

(4) As used in this subdivision, expenditures for “personal use” include expenditures to defray normal living expenses for the candidate, the immediate family of the candidate or any other individual and expenditures for the personal benefit of the candidate or any other individual having no direct connection with, or effect upon, the campaign of the candidate or the lawful purposes of the committee, as defined in subdivision (2) of this section. No goods, services, funds and contributions received by any committee under this chapter shall be used or be made available for the personal use of any candidate or any other individual. No candidate, committee, or any other individual shall use such goods, services, funds or contributions for any purpose other than campaign purposes permitted by this chapter.

(h) Honoraria, gifts or compensation for elected public officials. No treasurer of a political committee may provide an honorarium to, compensate or make a gift to, any elected public official who is subject to the provisions of this chapter, for any speaking engagement or other services rendered on behalf of such committee, except that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: (1) Reimbursement for actual travel expenses or food and beverage for the personal consumption of such public official or members of his immediate family, in connection with the rendering of any such services by the public official; or (2) any contribution made to such public official in connection with his campaign for nomination or election to an office or position included in this chapter, which is reported in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Except as provided in this subsection, no such elected public official may receive any gift, honorarium or compensation from a political committee.

(i) Expenses for election or primary contest. The right of any person to expend money for proper legal expenses in maintaining or contesting the results of any election or primary shall not be affected or limited by the provisions of this chapter or chapter 157, provided only sources eligible to contribute to the candidate for the campaign may contribute to the payment of legal expenses.

(j) Reimbursements to candidates and committee workers. A candidate or his committee worker shall be reimbursed by the treasurer for any permissible expenditure which the candidate or committee worker has paid from his own personal funds if (1) the treasurer authorized the expenditure, (2) the candidate or worker provides the treasurer with a written receipt or other documentary evidence from the vendor proving his payment of the expenditure, and (3) in the case of a reimbursement to the candidate, a detailed accounting of the expenditure is included in the report of the treasurer. Internal records required to be maintained in order for any candidate or committee worker to be reimbursed from committee funds include, but are not limited to, contemporaneous invoices, receipts, bills, statements, itineraries, or other written or documentary evidence showing the campaign or lawful purpose of the expenditure. The treasurer shall preserve all such internal records for the same period of time as required in the case of cancelled checks, except that the treasurer of a candidate committee may, upon request of the candidate, give such internal records to the candidate to keep for such period.

(k) Campaign expenses paid by candidate. A candidate shall report to his treasurer each campaign expenditure of more than fifty dollars which he has made directly from his own personal funds, except those expenditures for his own telephone calls, travel and meals for which the candidate does not seek reimbursement from his committee, by the close of the reporting period in which the expenditures were made. The candidate shall indicate whether or not he expects reimbursement by the committee. The treasurer shall report all such reimbursed and nonreimbursed expenditures as “campaign expenses paid by the candidate” on the sworn financial statements he is required to file in accordance with section 9-608 and in the same manner as committee expenditures.

(l) Political committee checks to committees. Each check issued by the treasurer of a political committee to a candidate committee, party committee or another political committee (1) shall have typed, stamped, or printed other than by hand, on its face, the name and address of the political committee making the contribution and (2) shall legibly indicate the name of the treasurer of the political committee.

(m) Obligations and restrictions imposed on certifying candidates. Any obligation or restriction imposed by this section and sections 9-608, 9-610, 9-611, 9-613, 9-615, 9-616, 9-618, 9-620, 9-621, 9-622 and 9-623 on a treasurer or a candidate committee shall be deemed to be imposed on any candidate who is exempt from forming a candidate committee and has filed a certification pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-604 with the proper authority.

Sec. 9-608. (Formerly Sec. 9-333j). Statements to be filed by treasurers. Treatment of surplus or deficit. (a) Filing dates. (1) Each treasurer of a committee, other than a state central committee, shall file a statement, sworn under penalty of false statement with the proper authority in accordance with the provisions of section 9-603, (A) on the tenth calendar day in the months of January, April, July and October, provided, if such tenth calendar day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the statement shall be filed on the next business day, except that in the case of a candidate or exploratory committee established for an office to be elected at a special election, statements pursuant to this subparagraph shall not be required, (B) on the seventh day preceding each regular state election, except that (i) in the case of a candidate or exploratory committee established for an office to be elected at a municipal election, the statement shall be filed on the seventh day preceding a regular municipal election in lieu of such date, except if the candidate’s name is not eligible to appear on the ballot, in which case such statement shall not be required, (ii) in the case of a town committee, the statement shall be filed on the seventh day preceding each municipal election in addition to such date, (iii) in the case of a candidate committee in a state election that is required to file any supplemental campaign finance statements pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-712, such supplemental campaign finance statements shall satisfy the filing requirement under this subdivision, and (iv) in the case of a candidate committee established by a candidate whose name is not eligible to appear on the ballot, such statement shall not be required, and (C) if the committee has made or received a contribution or expenditure in connection with any other election, a primary or a referendum, on the seventh day preceding the election, primary or referendum, except that in the case of a candidate committee in a primary that is required to file statements pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 9-712, such statements shall satisfy the filing requirement under this subdivision. The statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. of the last day of the month preceding the month in which the statement is required to be filed, except that for the statement required to be filed on the seventh day preceding the election, primary or referendum, the statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. of the second day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover a period to begin with the first day not included in the last filed statement. In the case of a candidate committee, the statement required to be filed in January shall be in lieu of the statement formerly required to be filed within forty-five days following an election.

(2) Each treasurer of a candidate committee established by a candidate in a primary, not later than thirty days after such primary, and each treasurer of a political committee formed for a single primary, election or referendum, not later than forty-five days after any election or referendum not held in November, shall file statements in the same manner as is required of them under subdivision (1) of this subsection. A candidate committee established by a candidate who is unsuccessful in the primary shall not be required to file any statements required under subdivision (1) of this subsection following the primary unless the candidate is eligible to appear on the general election ballot. If the treasurer of a candidate committee established by a candidate, who is unsuccessful in the primary or has terminated his candidacy prior to the primary, distributes all surplus funds within thirty days following the scheduled primary and discloses the distribution on the postprimary statement, such treasurer shall not be required to file any subsequent statement unless the committee has a deficit, in which case he shall file any required statements in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of this section.

(3) In the case of state central committees, (A) on the tenth calendar day in the months of January, April and July, provided, if such tenth calendar day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, on the next business day, (B) on the twelfth day preceding any regular election, and (C) if the committee has made or received a contribution or expenditure in connection with any other election, or any primary or referendum, on the twelfth day preceding the election, primary or referendum, the treasurer of each such committee shall file with the proper authority, a statement, sworn under penalty of false statement, complete as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which such statement is to be filed in the case of statements required to be filed in January, April and July, and complete as of the nineteenth day preceding an election, primary or referendum in the case of the statement required to be filed on the twelfth day preceding an election, primary or referendum, and in each case covering a period to begin with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

(b) Exemption from filing requirements. The statements required to be filed under subsection (a) of this section and subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (e) of this section, shall not be required to be filed by: (1) A candidate committee or political committee formed for a single primary or election until such committee receives or expends an amount in excess of one thousand dollars for purposes of the primary or election for which such committee was formed; (2) a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question until such committee receives or expends an amount in excess of one thousand dollars; or (3) a party or political committee organized for ongoing political activities until such committee receives or expends an amount in excess of one thousand dollars for the calendar year except the statements required to be filed on the tenth calendar day in the month of January and on the seventh day preceding any election shall be so filed. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to state central committees or to the statement required to be filed by an exploratory committee upon its termination. A committee which is exempted from filing statements under the provisions of this subsection shall file in lieu thereof a statement sworn under penalty of false statement, indicating that the committee has not received or expended an amount in excess of one thousand dollars.

(c) Content of statements. (1) Each statement filed under subsection (a), (e) or (f) of this section shall include, but not be limited to: (A) An itemized accounting of each contribution, if any, including the full name and complete address of each contributor and the amount of the contribution; (B) an itemized accounting of each expenditure, if any, including the full name and complete address of each payee, including secondary payees whenever the primary or principal payee is known to include charges which the primary payee has already paid or will pay directly to another person, vendor or entity, the amount and the purpose of the expenditure, the candidate supported or opposed by the expenditure, whether the expenditure is made independently of the candidate supported or is an in-kind contribution to the candidate, and a statement of the balance on hand or deficit, as the case may be; (C) an itemized accounting of each expense incurred but not paid, provided if the expense is incurred by use of a credit card, the accounting shall include secondary payees, and the amount owed to each such payee; (D) the name and address of any person who is the guarantor of a loan to, or the cosigner of a note with, the candidate on whose behalf the committee was formed, or the treasurer in the case of a party committee or a political committee or who has advanced a security deposit to a telephone company, as defined in section 16-1, for telecommunications service for a committee; (E) for each business entity or person purchasing advertising space in a program for a fund-raising affair or on signs at a fund-raising affair, the name and address of the business entity or the name and address of the person, and the amount and aggregate amounts of such purchases; (F) for each individual who contributes in excess of one hundred dollars but not more than one thousand dollars, in the aggregate, to the extent known, the principal occupation of such individual and the name of the individual’s employer, if any; (G) for each individual who contributes in excess of one thousand dollars in the aggregate, the principal occupation of such individual and the name of the individual’s employer, if any; (H) for each itemized contribution made by a lobbyist, the spouse of a lobbyist or any dependent child of a lobbyist who resides in the lobbyist’s household, a statement to that effect; and (I) for each individual who contributes in excess of four hundred dollars in the aggregate to or for the benefit of any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of chief executive officer or a slate or town committee financing the nomination or election or a candidate for chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, a statement indicating whether the individual or a business with which he is associated has a contract with said municipality that is valued at more than five thousand dollars. Each treasurer shall include in such statement (i) an itemized accounting of the receipts and expenditures relative to any testimonial affair held under the provisions of section 9-609 or any other fund-raising affair, which is referred to in subsection (b) of section 9-601a, and (ii) the date, location and a description of the affair, except that a treasurer shall not be required to include the name of any individual who has purchased items at a fund-raising affair or food at a town fair, county fair or similar mass gathering, if the cumulative value of items purchased by such individual does not exceed one hundred dollars, or the name of any individual who has donated food or beverages for a meeting. A treasurer shall not be required to report or retain any receipts or expenditures related to any de minimis donations described in subdivision (17) of subsection (b) of section 9-601a.

(2) Each contributor described in subparagraph (F), (G), (H) or (I) of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall, at the time the contributor makes such a contribution, provide the information that the treasurer is required to include under said subparagraph in the statement filed under subsection (a), (e) or (f) of this section. Notwithstanding any provision of subdivision (2) of section 9-7b, any contributor described in subparagraph (F) of subdivision (1) of this subsection who does not provide such information at the time the contributor makes such a contribution and any treasurer shall not be subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of section 9-7b. If a treasurer receives a contribution from an individual which separately, or in the aggregate, is in excess of one thousand dollars and the contributor has not provided the information required by said subparagraph (G) or if a treasurer receives a contribution from an individual to or for the benefit of any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, which separately, or in the aggregate, is in excess of four hundred dollars and the contributor has not provided the information required by said subparagraph (I), the treasurer: (i) Not later than three business days after receiving the contribution, shall send a request for such information to the contributor by certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) shall not deposit the contribution until the treasurer obtains such information from the contributor, notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-606; and (iii) shall return the contribution to the contributor if the contributor does not provide the required information not later than fourteen days after the treasurer’s written request or the end of the reporting period in which the contribution was received, whichever is later. Any failure of a contributor to provide the information which the treasurer is required to include under said subparagraph (F) or (H), which results in noncompliance by the treasurer with the provisions of said subparagraph (F) or (H), shall be a complete defense to any action against the treasurer for failure to disclose such information.

(3) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (2) of this subsection, each contributor who makes a contribution to a candidate or exploratory committee for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State, State Treasurer, state senator or state representative, any political committee authorized to make contributions to such candidates or committees, and any party committee that separately, or in the aggregate, exceeds fifty dollars shall provide with the contribution: (A) The name of the contributor’s employer, if any; (B) the contributor’s status as a communicator lobbyist, as defined in section 1-91, a member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist, a state contractor, a prospective state contractor or a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor, as defined in section 9-612; and (C) a certification that the contributor is not prohibited from making a contribution to such candidate or committee. The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall prepare a sample form for such certification by the contributor and shall make it available to treasurers and contributors. Such sample form shall include an explanation of the terms “communicator lobbyist”, “principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor”, “immediate family”, “state contractor” and “prospective state contractor”. The information on such sample form shall be included in any written solicitation conducted by any such committee. If a treasurer receives such a contribution and the contributor has not provided such certification, the treasurer shall: (i) Not later than three business days after receiving the contribution, send a request for the certification to the contributor by certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) not deposit the contribution until the treasurer obtains the certification from the contributor, notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-606; and (iii) return the contribution to the contributor if the contributor does not provide the certification not later than fourteen days after the treasurer’s written request or at the end of the reporting period in which the contribution was received, whichever is later. No treasurer shall be required to obtain and keep more than one certification from each contributor, unless information certified to by the contributor, other than the amount contributed, changes. If a treasurer deposits a contribution based on a certification that is later determined to be false, the treasurer shall have a complete defense to any action, including but not limited to, any complaint investigated by the State Elections Enforcement Commission or any other investigation initiated by said commission, against such treasurer for the receipt of such contribution.

(4) Contributions from a single individual to a treasurer in the aggregate totaling fifty dollars or less need not be individually identified in the statement, but a sum representing the total amount of all such contributions made by all such individuals during the period to be covered by such statement shall be a separate entry, identified only by the words “total contributions from small contributors”.

(5) Each statement filed by the treasurer of a party committee, a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee shall include an itemized accounting of each organization expenditure made by the committee. Concomitant with the filing of any such statement containing an accounting of an organization expenditure made by the committee for the benefit of any candidate for the office of state senator, state representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of the State, State Comptroller or State Treasurer such treasurer shall provide notice of the organization expenditure to the candidate committee of such candidate.

(6) The commission shall post a link on the home page of the commission’s Internet web site to a listing of all organizational expenditures reported by a party, legislative leadership or caucus committee under subdivision (5) of this subsection. Such information shall include reported information on the committee making the expenditure, the committee receiving the expenditure and the date and purpose for the expenditure.

(7) Statements filed in accordance with this section shall remain public records of the state for five years from the date such statements are filed.

(d) Duplicate statement for candidate or chairman. Timely filing. At the time of filing statements required under this section, the treasurer of each candidate committee shall send to the candidate a duplicate statement and the treasurer of each party committee and each political committee other than an exploratory committee shall send to the chairman of the committee a duplicate statement. Each statement required to be filed with the commission under this section, section 9-601d, section 9-706 or section 9-712 shall be deemed to be filed in a timely manner if: (1) For a statement filed as a hard copy, including, but not limited to, a statement delivered by the United States Postal Service, courier service, parcel service or hand delivery, the statement is received by the commission by five o’clock p.m. on the day the statement is required to be filed, (2) for a statement authorized by the commission to be filed electronically, including, but not limited to, a statement filed via dedicated electronic mail, facsimile machine, a web-based program created by the commission or other electronic means, the statement is transmitted to the commission not later than eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. on the day the statement is required to be filed, or (3) for a statement required to be filed pursuant to section 9-601d, section 9-706 or section 9-712, by the deadline specified in each such section. Any other filing required to be filed with a town clerk pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be filed in a timely manner if it is delivered by hand to the office of the town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section 9-603 before four-thirty o’clock p.m. or postmarked by the United States Postal Service before midnight on the required filing day. If the day for any filing falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the statement shall be filed on the next business day thereafter. The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall not levy a penalty upon a treasurer for failure to file a hard copy of a statement in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of this section if such treasurer has a copy of the statement time stamped by the State Elections Enforcement Commission that shows timely receipt of the statement or the treasurer has a return receipt from the United States Postal Service or a similar receipt from a commercial delivery service confirming timely delivery of such statement was made or should have been made to said commission.

(e) Distribution or expenditure from surplus funds. Reporting re deficits. (1) Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter, in the event of a surplus the treasurer of a candidate committee or of a political committee, other than a political committee formed for ongoing political activities or an exploratory committee, shall distribute or expend such surplus not later than ninety days, or for the purposes of subparagraph (H) of this subdivision, one hundred twenty days after a primary which results in the defeat of the candidate, an election or referendum not held in November or by March thirty-first following an election or referendum held in November, or for the purposes of subparagraph (H) of this subdivision, June thirtieth following an election or referendum held in November, in the following manner:

(A) Such committees may distribute their surplus to a party committee, or a political committee organized for ongoing political activities, return such surplus to all contributors to the committee on a prorated basis of contribution, distribute all or any part of such surplus to the Citizens’ Election Fund established in section 9-701, distribute such surplus to any charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, or, in the case of a candidate committee for any candidate, other than a participating candidate, distribute such surplus to an organization under Section 501(c)(19) of said code, as from time to time amended, provided (i) no candidate committee may distribute such surplus to a committee which has been established to finance future political campaigns of the candidate, (ii) a candidate committee which received moneys from the Citizens’ Election Fund shall distribute such surplus to such fund, and (iii) a candidate committee for a nonparticipating candidate, as described in subsection (b) of section 9-703, may only distribute any such surplus to the Citizens’ Election Fund or to a charitable organization;

(B) Each such political committee established by an organization which received its funds from the organization’s treasury shall return its surplus to its sponsoring organization;

(C) (i) Each political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, which does not receive contributions from a business entity or an organization, shall distribute its surplus to a party committee, to a political committee organized for ongoing political activities, to a national committee of a political party, to all contributors to the committee on a prorated basis of contribution, to state or municipal governments or agencies or to any organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended. (ii) Each political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, which receives contributions from a business entity or an organization, shall distribute its surplus to all contributors to the committee on a prorated basis of contribution, to state or municipal governments or agencies, or to any organization which is tax-exempt under said provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a committee formed for a single referendum shall not be required to expend its surplus not later than ninety days after the referendum and may continue in existence if a substantially similar referendum question on the same issue will be submitted to the electorate within six months after the first referendum. If two or more substantially similar referenda on the same issue are submitted to the electorate, each no more than six months apart, the committee shall expend such surplus within ninety days following the date of the last such referendum;

(D) The treasurer of the candidate committee of a candidate who is elected to office may, upon the authorization of such candidate, expend surplus campaign funds to pay for the cost of clerical, secretarial or other office expenses necessarily incurred by such candidate in preparation for taking office; except such surplus shall not be distributed for the personal benefit of any individual or to any organization;

(E) The treasurer of a candidate committee, or of a political committee, other than a political committee formed for ongoing political activities or an exploratory committee, shall, prior to the dissolution of such committee, either (i) distribute any equipment purchased, including, but not limited to, computer equipment, to any recipient as set forth in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, or (ii) sell any equipment purchased, including but not limited to computer equipment, to any person for fair market value and then distribute the proceeds of such sale to any recipient as set forth in said subparagraph (A);

(F) The treasurer of a qualified candidate committee may, following an election or unsuccessful primary, provide a post-primary thank you meal or a post-election thank you meal for committee workers, provided such meal (i) occurs not later than fourteen days after the applicable election or primary day, and (ii) the cost for such meal does not exceed thirty dollars per worker;

(G) The treasurer of a qualified candidate committee may, following an election or unsuccessful primary, exclusive of any payments that have been rendered pursuant to a written service agreement, make payment to a treasurer for services rendered to the candidate committee, provided such payment does not exceed one thousand dollars; and

(H) The treasurer of a candidate committee may, following an election or unsuccessful primary, utilize funds for the purpose of complying with any audit conducted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission pursuant to subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 9-7b.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the treasurer of the candidate committee of a candidate who has withdrawn from a primary or election may, prior to the primary or election, distribute its surplus to any organization which is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, or return such surplus to all contributors to the committee on a prorated basis of contribution.

(3) Not later than seven days after such distribution or not later than seven days after all funds have been expended in accordance with subparagraph (D) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the treasurer shall file a supplemental statement, sworn under penalty of false statement, with the proper authority, identifying all further contributions received since the previous statement and explaining how any surplus has been distributed or expended in accordance with this section. No surplus may be distributed or expended until after the election, primary or referendum.

(4) In the event of a deficit, the treasurer shall file a supplemental statement ninety days after an election, primary or referendum not held in November or on the seventh calendar day in February, or the next business day if such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, after an election or referendum held in November, with the proper authority and, thereafter, on the seventh day of each month following if on the last day of the previous month there was an increase or decrease in the deficit in excess of five hundred dollars from that reported on the last statement filed. The treasurer shall file such supplemental statements as required until the deficit is eliminated. If any such committee does not have a surplus or a deficit, the statement required to be filed not later than forty-five days following any election or referendum not held in November or on the seventh calendar day in January, or the next business day if such day is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, following an election or referendum held in November, or not later than thirty days following any primary shall be the last required statement.

(f) Dissolution of exploratory committee. If an exploratory committee has been established by a candidate pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604, the treasurer of the committee shall file a notice of intent to dissolve it with the appropriate authority not later than fifteen days after the candidate’s declaration of intent to seek nomination or election to a particular public office, except that in the case of an exploratory committee established by a candidate for purposes that include aiding or promoting the candidate’s candidacy for nomination or election to the General Assembly or a state office, the treasurer of the committee shall file such notice of intent to dissolve the committee not later than fifteen days after the earlier of: (1) The candidate’s declaration of intent to seek nomination or election to a particular public office, (2) the candidate’s endorsement at a convention, caucus or town committee meeting, or (3) the candidate’s filing of a candidacy for nomination under section 9-400 or 9-405. The treasurer shall also file a statement identifying all contributions received or expenditures made by the exploratory committee since the previous statement and the balance on hand or deficit, as the case may be. In the event of a surplus, the treasurer shall, not later than the filing of the statement, distribute the surplus to the candidate committee established pursuant to said section, except that (A) in the case of a surplus of an exploratory committee established by a candidate who intends to be a participating candidate, as defined in section 9-703, in the Citizens’ Election Program, the treasurer may distribute to the candidate committee only that portion of such surplus that is attributable to contributions that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions for the candidate committee under section 9-704 and shall distribute the remainder of such surplus to the Citizens’ Election Fund established in section 9-701, and (B) in the case of a surplus of an exploratory committee established for nomination or election to an office other than the General Assembly or a state office (i) the treasurer may only distribute to the candidate committee for nomination or election to the General Assembly or state office of such candidate that portion of such surplus which is in excess of the total contributions which the exploratory committee received from lobbyists or political committees established by lobbyists, during any period in which the prohibitions in subsection (e) of section 9-610 apply, and (ii) any remaining amount shall be returned to all such lobbyists and political committees established by or on behalf of lobbyists, on a prorated basis of contribution, or distributed to any charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended. If the candidate decides not to seek nomination or election to any office, the treasurer shall, within fifteen days after such decision, comply with the provisions of this subsection and distribute any surplus in the manner provided by this section for political committees other than those formed for ongoing political activities, except that if the surplus is from an exploratory committee established by the State Treasurer, any portion of the surplus that is received from a principal of an investment services firm or a political committee established by such firm shall be returned to such principal or committee on a prorated basis of contribution. In the event of a deficit, the treasurer shall file a statement thirty days after the decision or declaration with the proper authority and, thereafter, on the seventh day of each month following if on the last day of the previous month there was an increase or decrease in such deficit in excess of five hundred dollars from that reported on the last statement filed. The treasurer shall file supplemental statements until the deficit is eliminated. If the exploratory committee does not have a surplus or deficit, the statement filed after the candidate’s declaration or decision shall be the last required statement. If a candidate certifies on the statement of organization for the exploratory committee pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604 that the candidate will not be a candidate for the office of state representative and subsequently establishes a candidate committee for the office of state representative, the treasurer of the candidate committee shall pay to the State Treasurer, for deposit in the General Fund, an amount equal to the portion of any contribution received by said exploratory committee that exceeded two hundred fifty dollars. As used in this subsection, “principal of an investment services firm” has the meaning set forth in subsection (e) of section 9-612 and “state office” has the same meaning set forth in subsection (e) of section 9-610.

Sec. 9-609. (Formerly Sec. 9-333k). Party committees; designation as treasurer. Limitation on multiple committees. Fund-raising events and testimonial affairs. (a) The chairman of each party committee shall designate a treasurer and may designate a deputy treasurer, or in the case of a state central committee, not more than two deputy treasurers. The treasurer and any deputy treasurers so designated shall sign a statement accepting the designation, which shall be filed with the proper authority with the statement of designation required under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-602. No state central committee or town committee shall establish a committee other than a single party committee for purposes of this chapter. A party committee or a political committee organized for ongoing political activities shall form no other political committees, except that two or more such committees may join to form a political committee for the purpose of a single fund-raising event.

(b) As used in this subsection, “testimonial affair” means an affair held in honor of an individual who holds, or who is or was a candidate for nomination or election to, an office subject to this chapter. No testimonial affair shall be held without the consent of such person. No testimonial affair shall be held for a candidate, or for an individual who holds any such office during the term of such office, except to raise funds on the candidate’s behalf, or on behalf of a party committee, for purposes authorized in this chapter. A testimonial affair which is held by an organization duly organized for charitable purposes shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter. A testimonial affair which is held for an individual upon his retirement from public office shall also be exempt from the provisions of this chapter unless a deficit exists from any such individual’s campaigns for election or nomination to an office subject to this chapter. Any fund-raising affair for any candidate or individual who holds any such office for any purposes other than those authorized in this chapter shall be prohibited. Any person who organizes such a fund-raising affair shall be in violation of this section.

Sec. 9-610. (Formerly Sec. 9-333l). Expense sharing by committees. Candidate’s expenditures. Use of public funds by incumbent or for promotional campaign or advertisement. Restrictions on lobbyist contributions and solicitations. (a) Any provision of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, a candidate committee may join with one or more candidate committees to establish a political committee for the purpose of sponsoring one or more fund-raising events for those candidates. Any individual, other than a candidate benefited, who is eligible and qualifies to serve in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of section 9-606 may serve as the treasurer or deputy treasurer of such a political committee. The statements required to be filed by a political committee under this chapter shall apply to any political committee established pursuant to this subsection. After all expenses of the political committee have been paid by its treasurer for each event, he shall distribute all remaining funds from such event to the treasurers of each of the candidate committees which established the political committee. The distribution to each candidate committee shall be made not later than fourteen days after the event, either in accordance with a prior agreement of the candidates or, if no prior agreement was made, in equal proportions to each candidate committee. Any contribution which is made to such political committee shall, for purposes of determining compliance with the limitations imposed by this chapter, be deemed to have been made in equal proportions to each candidate’s campaign unless (1) a prior agreement was made by the candidates as to the disposition of remaining funds, and (2) those who contributed to the political committee were notified of such disposition, in which case the contribution shall be deemed to have been made to each candidate’s campaign in accordance with the agreement.

(b) A candidate committee may pay or reimburse another candidate committee for its pro rata share of the expenses of operating a campaign headquarters and of preparing, printing and disseminating any political communication on behalf of that candidate and any other candidate or candidates, including any shared expenses for which only the committee being paid or reimbursed was under a contractual obligation to pay. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-616, a candidate committee may reimburse a party committee for any expenditure such party committee has incurred for the benefit of such candidate committee.

(c) A candidate may make any expenditure permitted by section 9-607 to aid or promote the success of his campaign for nomination or election from his personal funds, or the funds of his immediate family, which for the purposes of this chapter shall consist of the candidate’s spouse and issue. Any such expenditure shall not be deemed a contribution to any committee.

(d) (1) No incumbent holding office shall, during the three months preceding an election in which he is a candidate for reelection or election to another office, use public funds to mail or print flyers or other promotional materials intended to bring about his election or reelection.

(2) No official or employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state shall authorize the use of public funds for a television, radio, movie theater, billboard, bus poster, newspaper or magazine promotional campaign or advertisement, which (A) features the name, face or voice of a candidate for public office, or (B) promotes the nomination or election of a candidate for public office, during the twelve-month period preceding the election being held for the office which the candidate described in this subdivision is seeking.

(3) As used in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, “public funds” does not include any grant or moneys paid to a qualified candidate committee from the Citizens’ Election Fund under this chapter.

(4) No candidate’s participation in connection with any activity of the Council of State Governments shall constitute a violation of this subsection.

(e) For purposes of this subsection and subsection (f) of this section, the exclusions to the term “contribution” in subsection (b) of section 9-601a shall not apply; the term “state office” means the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State; and the term “state officer” means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, during any regular session of the General Assembly, during any special session of the General Assembly held between the adjournment of the regular session in an odd-numbered year and the convening of the regular session in the following even-numbered year or during any reconvened session of the General Assembly held in an odd-numbered year to reconsider vetoed bills, (1) no lobbyist or political committee established by or on behalf of a lobbyist shall make or offer to make a contribution to or on behalf of, and no lobbyist shall solicit a contribution on behalf of, (A) a candidate or exploratory committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the General Assembly or a state office, or (B) a political committee (i) established for an assembly or senatorial district, (ii) established by a member of the General Assembly or a state officer or such member or officer’s agent, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any such member, officer or agent, or (iii) controlled by such member, officer or agent, to aid or promote the nomination or election of any candidate or candidates to the General Assembly or a state office, and (2) no such candidate or political committee shall accept such a contribution. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to a candidate committee established by a member of the General Assembly or a candidate for nomination or election to the General Assembly, at a special election for the General Assembly, from the date on which the candidate or the chairman of the committee files the designation of a treasurer and a depository institution under section 9-602 with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, to the date on which the special election is held, inclusive, or to an exploratory committee established by a member of the General Assembly to promote his candidacy for an office other than the General Assembly.

(f) (1) A political committee established by two or more individuals under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (3) of section 9-601, other than a committee established solely for the purpose of aiding or promoting any candidate or candidates for municipal office or the success or defeat of a referendum question, shall be subject to the prohibition on acceptance of lobbyist contributions under subsection (e) of this section unless the treasurer of the committee has filed a registration statement as described in subsection (b) of section 9-605 with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, on or before November 15, 2012, for all such political committees in existence on such date, or, if the committee is not in existence on such date, not later than ten days after the organization of the committee pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-605, and on or before November fifteenth of each even-numbered year thereafter. Such statements shall be filed even if there are no changes, additions or deletions to the registration statement previously filed with the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if an officer of the committee has changed since the last registration statement filed with the commission, such registration statement shall be filed by the chairperson of the committee.

(2) A political committee established for ongoing political activities and required pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-603 to file statements with the commission shall be subject to the prohibition on making contributions under subsection (e) of this section unless the treasurer of the committee has filed a registration statement as described in subsection (b) of section 9-605 with the commission, on forms prescribed by the commission, on or before November 15, 2012, for all such political committees in existence on such date, or, if the committee is not in existence on such date, not later than ten days after the organization of the committee pursuant to subsection (a) of section 9-605, and on or before November fifteenth of each even-numbered year thereafter. Such statements shall be filed even if there are no changes, additions or deletions to the registration statement previously filed with the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if an officer of the committee has changed since the last registration statement filed with the commission, such registration statement shall be filed by the chairperson of the committee.

(3) The commission shall prepare a list of all such committees subject to the prohibitions under subsection (e) of this section, based upon an evaluation of registrations filed pursuant to this subsection and subsection (b) of section 9-605. Such list shall be available prior to the opening of each regular session of the General Assembly, and shall provide a copy of the list to the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives and each state officer. During each such regular session, the commission shall prepare a supplemental list of committees that register after November fifteenth and are subject to such prohibitions, and the commission shall provide the supplemental list to such legislative leaders and state officers. The filing of the registration statement by the treasurer of the committee shall not impair the authority of the commission to act under section 9-7b. Any lobbyist or treasurer who acts in reliance on such lists in good faith shall have an absolute defense in any action brought under subsection (e) and this subsection, subsection (c) of section 9-604, and subsection (f) of section 9-608.

(g) No communicator lobbyist, member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist, or political committee established or controlled by a communicator lobbyist or a member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist shall make a contribution or contributions in excess of one hundred dollars to, or for the benefit of (1) an exploratory committee or a candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, (2) a political committee established or controlled by any such candidate, (3) a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, or (4) a party committee.

(h) On and after January 1, 2011, no communicator lobbyist, immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist, agent of a communicator lobbyist, or political committee established or controlled by a communicator lobbyist or any such immediate family member or agent shall knowingly solicit from any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, an employee of or a partner in, or who has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, any client lobbyist that the communicator lobbyist lobbies on behalf of pursuant to the communicator lobbyist’s registration under chapter 10 (1) a contribution on behalf of a candidate committee or an exploratory committee established by a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, a political committee established or controlled by any such candidate, a legislative caucus committee, a legislative leadership committee or a party committee, or (2) the purchase of advertising space in a program for a fund-raising affair sponsored by a town committee, as described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of section 9-601a.

(i) No communicator lobbyist or agent of such lobbyist, or member of the immediate family of a communicator lobbyist shall bundle contributions to, (1) an exploratory committee or a candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, (2) a political committee established or controlled by any such candidate, (3) a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, or (4) a party committee.

(j) The provisions of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this subsection shall not apply to the campaign of a communicator lobbyist, immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist or agent of a communicator lobbyist who is a candidate for public office or to an immediate family member of a communicator lobbyist who is an elected public official.

(k) Any person who violates any provision of subsections (g), (h) and (i) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, of not more than five thousand dollars or twice the amount of any contribution donated, solicited or bundled in violation of subsection (g), (h) or (i) of this section, whichever is greater.

Sec. 9-611. (Formerly Sec. 9-333m). Limits on contributions made by individuals to candidate committees, exploratory committees. When contributions by personal check or credit card required. Contributions by individuals less than eighteen years of age. (a) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of (1) Governor, in excess of three thousand five hundred dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of two thousand dollars; (3) chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand dollars; (4) state senator or probate judge, in excess of one thousand dollars; or (5) state representative or any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars. The limits imposed by this subsection shall be applied separately to primaries and elections.

(b) (1) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, an exploratory committee, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars, if the candidate establishing the exploratory committee certifies on the statement of organization for the exploratory committee pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-604 that the candidate will not be a candidate for the office of state representative. No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any exploratory committee, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars, if the candidate establishing the exploratory committee does not so certify.

(2) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, a political committee formed by a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace, in excess of two hundred fifty dollars.

(c) No individual shall make contributions to such candidates or committees which in the aggregate exceed thirty thousand dollars for any single election and primary preliminary to such election.

(d) No individual shall make a contribution to any candidate or committee, other than a contribution in kind, in excess of one hundred dollars except by personal check or credit card of that individual.

(e) No individual who is less than eighteen years of age shall make a contribution or contributions, in excess of thirty dollars to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of: (1) A candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary to any office; (2) a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for election to any office; (3) an exploratory committee; (4) any other political committee in any calendar year; or (5) a party committee in any calendar year. Notwithstanding any provision of subdivision (2) of section 9-7b, any individual who is less than eighteen years of age who violates any provision of this subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of section 9-7b.

Sec. 9-612. (Formerly Sec. 9-333n). Other contributions by individuals. Principals of investment services firms, state contractors, principals of state contractors, prospective state contractors or principals of prospective state contractors. Lists. Subcontracts study. State officials or employees. Legislative caucus staff members. (a) No individual shall make a contribution or contributions in any one calendar year in excess of ten thousand dollars to the state central committee of any party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request; or two thousand dollars to a town committee of any political party, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request; or two thousand dollars to a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, or one thousand dollars to any other political committee other than (1) a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, (2) an exploratory committee, (3) a political committee established by an organization, or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request, or (4) a political committee formed by a slate of candidates in a primary for the office of justice of the peace of the same town.

(b) No individual shall make a contribution to a political committee established by an organization which receives its funds from the organization’s treasury. With respect to a political committee established by an organization which has complied with the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of section 9-614, and has elected to receive contributions, no individual other than a member of the organization may make contributions to the committee, in which case the individual may contribute not more than seven hundred fifty dollars in any one calendar year to such committee or for the benefit of such committee pursuant to its authorization or request.

(c) In no event may any individual make contributions to a candidate committee and a political committee formed solely to support one candidate other than an exploratory committee or for the benefit of a candidate committee and a political committee formed solely to support one candidate pursuant to the authorization or request of any such committee, in an amount which in the aggregate is in excess of the maximum amount which may be contributed to the candidate.

(d) Any individual may make unlimited contributions or expenditures to aid or promote the success or defeat of any referendum question, provided any individual who makes an expenditure or expenditures in excess of one thousand dollars to promote the success or defeat of any referendum question shall file statements according to the same schedule and in the same manner as is required of a treasurer of a political committee under section 9-608.

(e) (1) As used in this subsection and subsection (f) of section 9-608, (A) “investment services” means investment legal services, investment banking services, investment advisory services, underwriting services, financial advisory services or brokerage firm services, and (B) “principal of an investment services firm” means (i) an individual who is a director of or has an ownership interest in an investment services firm to which the State Treasurer pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract, except for an individual who owns less than five per cent of the shares of an investment services firm, (ii) an individual who is employed by such an investment services firm as president, treasurer, or executive vice president, (iii) an employee of such an investment services firm who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to any investment services provided to the State Treasurer, (iv) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (v) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph.

(2) No principal of an investment services firm shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer during the term of office of the State Treasurer who pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract to such firm. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to contributions and the solicitation of contributions that are not prohibited under subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section.

(3) Neither the State Treasurer, the Deputy State Treasurer, any unclassified employee of the office of the State Treasurer acting on behalf of the State Treasurer or Deputy State Treasurer, any candidate for the office of State Treasurer, any member of the Investment Advisory Council established under section 3-13b nor any agent of any such candidate may knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a principal of an investment services firm. The provisions of this subdivision shall apply only to contributions and the solicitation of contributions that are not prohibited under subdivision (3) of subsection (f) of this section.

(4) No member of the Investment Advisory Council appointed under section 3-13b shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer.

(5) The provisions of this subsection shall not restrict an individual from establishing an exploratory or candidate committee or from soliciting for and making contributions to a town committee or political committee that the candidate has designated in accordance with subsection (b) of section 9-604, for the financing of the individual’s own campaign or from soliciting contributions for such committees from persons not prohibited from making contributions under this subsection.

(f) (1) As used in this subsection and subsections (g) and (h) of this section:

(A) “Quasi-public agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-120.

(B) “State agency” means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution or other agency in the executive or legislative branch of state government.

(C) “State contract” means an agreement or contract with the state or any state agency or any quasi-public agency, let through a procurement process or otherwise, having a value of fifty thousand dollars or more, or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more in a calendar year, for (i) the rendition of services, (ii) the furnishing of any goods, material, supplies, equipment or any items of any kind, (iii) the construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work, (iv) the acquisition, sale or lease of any land or building, (v) a licensing arrangement, or (vi) a grant, loan or loan guarantee. “State contract” does not include any agreement or contract with the state, any state agency or any quasi-public agency that is exclusively federally funded, an education loan, a loan to an individual for other than commercial purposes or any agreement or contract between the state or any state agency and the United States Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense.

(D) “State contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that enters into a state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a state contractor until December thirty-first of the year in which such contract terminates. “State contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

(E) “Prospective state contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that (i) submits a response to a state contract solicitation by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, or a proposal in response to a request for proposals by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, until the contract has been entered into, or (ii) holds a valid prequalification certificate issued by the Commissioner of Administrative Services under section 4a-100. “Prospective state contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

(F) “Principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is not a business entity, or if a state contractor or prospective state contractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any state contractor or prospective state contractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the state contractor or prospective state contractor.

(G) “Dependent child” means a child residing in an individual’s household who may legally be claimed as a dependent on the federal income tax return of such individual.

(H) “Managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract” means having direct, extensive and substantive responsibilities with respect to the negotiation of the state contract and not peripheral, clerical or ministerial responsibilities.

(I) “Rendition of services” means the provision of any service to a state agency or quasi-public agency in exchange for a fee, remuneration or compensation of any kind from the state or through an arrangement with the state.

(J) “State contract solicitation” means a request by a state agency or quasi-public agency, in whatever form issued, including, but not limited to, an invitation to bid, request for proposals, request for information or request for quotes, inviting bids, quotes or other types of submittals, through a competitive procurement process or another process authorized by law waiving competitive procurement.

(K) “Subcontractor” means any person, business entity or nonprofit organization that contracts to perform part or all of the obligations of a state contractor’s state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a subcontractor until December thirty-first of the year in which the subcontract terminates. “Subcontractor” does not include (i) a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or (ii) an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

(L) “Principal of a subcontractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a subcontractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a subcontractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a subcontractor, which is not a business entity, or if a subcontractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any subcontractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a subcontract with a state contractor, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the subcontractor.

(2) (A) No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or a state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder, of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to, or, on and after January 1, 2011, knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor’s or prospective state contractor’s employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee;

(B) No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or a state contract solicitation with or from the General Assembly or a holder, or principal of a holder, of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to, or, on and after January 1, 2011, knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor’s or prospective state contractor’s employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee;

(C) If a state contractor or principal of a state contractor makes or solicits a contribution as prohibited under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, as determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the contracting state agency or quasi-public agency may, in the case of a state contract executed on or after February 8, 2007, void the existing contract with such contractor, and no state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the state contractor a state contract or an extension or an amendment to a state contract for one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. No violation of the prohibitions contained in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision shall be deemed to have occurred if, and only if, the improper contribution is returned to the principal by the later of thirty days after receipt of such contribution by the recipient committee treasurer or the filing date that corresponds with the reporting period in which such contribution was made;

(D) If a prospective state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor makes or solicits a contribution as prohibited under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, as determined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission, no state agency or quasi-public agency shall award the prospective state contractor the contract described in the state contract solicitation or any other state contract for one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall notify applicants of the provisions of this subparagraph and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision during the prequalification application process; and

(E) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall make available to each state agency and quasi-public agency a written notice advising state contractors and prospective state contractors of the contribution and solicitation prohibitions contained in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision. Such notice shall: (i) Direct each state contractor and prospective state contractor to inform each individual described in subparagraph (F) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, with regard to such state contractor or prospective state contractor, about the provisions of subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision, whichever is applicable, and this subparagraph; (ii) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor of the civil and criminal penalties that could be imposed for violations of such prohibitions if any such contribution is made or solicited; (iii) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that, in the case of a state contractor, if any such contribution is made or solicited, the contract may be voided; (iv) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that, in the case of a prospective state contractor, if any such contribution is made or solicited, the contract described in the state contract solicitation shall not be awarded, unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation; and (v) inform each state contractor and prospective state contractor that the state will not award any other state contract to anyone found in violation of such prohibitions for a period of one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited, unless the commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation. Each state agency and quasi-public agency shall distribute such notice to the chief executive officer of its contractors and prospective state contractors, or an authorized signatory to a state contract, and shall obtain a written acknowledgment of the receipt of such notice.

(3) (A) On and after December 31, 2006, neither the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, any candidate for any such office nor any agent of any such official or candidate shall knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a person who he or she knows is prohibited from making contributions, including a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor with regard to a state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder of a valid prequalification certificate.

(B) On and after December 31, 2006, neither a member of the General Assembly, any candidate for any such office nor any agent of any such official or candidate shall knowingly, wilfully or intentionally solicit contributions on behalf of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to any public office, a political committee or a party committee, from a person who he or she knows is prohibited from making contributions, including a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor with regard to a state contract solicitation with or from the General Assembly or a holder of a valid prequalification certificate.

(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the campaign of a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor or to a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor who is an elected public official.

(5) Each state contractor and prospective state contractor shall make reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of this subsection. If the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that a state contractor or prospective state contractor has failed to make reasonable efforts to comply with this subsection, the commission may impose civil penalties against such state contractor or prospective state contractor in accordance with subsection (a) of section 9-7b.

(g) (1) Not later than thirty days after February 8, 2007, each state agency and quasi-public agency shall prepare and forward to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, on a form prescribed by said commission, a list of the names of the state contractors and prospective state contractors with which such agency is a party to a contract, and any state contract solicitations or prequalification certificates issued by the agency. Not less than once per month, each state agency and quasi-public agency shall forward to said commission, on a form prescribed by the commission, any changes, additions or deletions to said lists, not later than the fifteenth day of the month.

(2) Not later than sixty days after February 8, 2007, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall (A) compile a master list of state contractors and prospective state contractors for all state agencies and quasi-public agencies, based on the information received under subdivision (1) of this subsection, (B) publish the master list on the commission’s Internet web site, and (C) provide copies of the master list to treasurers upon request. The commission shall update the master list every month.

(h) The State Contracting Standards Board shall study subcontracts for state contracts and, not later than February 1, 2010, submit proposed legislation for extending the provisions of this subsection to such subcontracts to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections.

(i) (1) As used in this subsection:

(A) “Quasi-public agency” has the same meaning as provided in section 1-120.

(B) “Unclassified service” has the same meaning as provided in section 5-196.

(2) On and after December 31, 2006:

(A) No executive head of a state agency in the executive branch, executive head of a quasi-public agency, deputy of any such executive head, other full-time official or employee of any such state agency or quasi-public agency who is appointed by the Governor, other full-time official or employee of any such state agency or quasi-public agency who is in the unclassified service, or member of the immediate family of any such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, or (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year;

(B) No official or employee of the office of the Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer who is in the unclassified service, or member of the immediate family of any such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office in which such official or employee serves, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, or (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year; and

(C) No member of a caucus staff for a major party in the Senate or House of Representatives, or member of the immediate family of such person, shall make a contribution or contributions (i) to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election to the office of state senator or state representative, in excess of one hundred dollars for each such campaign, (ii) to a political committee established by any such candidate, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year, or (iii) to a legislative caucus committee or a legislative leadership committee, in excess of one hundred dollars in any calendar year.

Sec. 9-613. (Formerly Sec. 9-333o). Business entities. (a) Contributions or expenditures for candidate or party prohibited. No business entity shall make any contributions or expenditures to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for election to any public office or position subject to this chapter or for nomination at a primary for any such office or position, or to promote the defeat of any candidate for any such office or position. No business entity shall make any other contributions or expenditures to promote the success or defeat of any political party, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. No business entity shall establish more than one political committee. A political committee shall be deemed to have been established by a business entity if the initial disbursement or contribution to the committee is made under subsection (b) of this section or by an officer, director, owner, limited or general partner or holder of stock constituting five per cent or more of the total outstanding stock of any class of the business entity.

(b) Transfers or disbursements to political committee. A business entity may make reasonable and necessary transfers or disbursements to or for the benefit of a political committee established by such business entity, for the administration of, or solicitation of contributions to, such political committee. Nonmonetary contributions by a business entity which are incidental in nature and are directly attributable to the administration of such political committee shall be exempt from the reporting requirements of this chapter.

(c) Contributions or expenditures for referendum. The provisions of this section shall not preclude a business entity from making contributions or expenditures to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question.

(d) Contribution limits for particular offices. A political committee organized by a business entity shall not make a contribution or contributions to or for the benefit of any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or any candidate’s campaign for election to the office of: (1) Governor, in excess of five thousand dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars; (3) state senator, probate judge or chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (4) state representative, in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars; or (5) any other office of a municipality not included in subdivision (3) of this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars. The limits imposed by this subsection shall apply separately to primaries and elections and contributions by any such committee to candidates designated in this subsection shall not exceed one hundred thousand dollars in the aggregate for any single election and primary preliminary thereto. Contributions to such committees shall also be subject to the provisions of section 9-618 in the case of committees formed for ongoing political activity or section 9-619 in the case of committees formed for a single election or primary.

(e) Contributions to political committees and party committees. No political committee organized by a business entity shall make a contribution or contributions to (1) a state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars in any calendar year, (2) a town committee of any political party, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars in any calendar year, (3) an exploratory committee in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars, or (4) any other kind of political committee, in excess of two thousand dollars in any calendar year.

(f) Contributions for candidate for State Treasurer. As used in this subsection, “investment services” means investment legal services, investment banking services, investment advisory services, underwriting services, financial advisory services or brokerage firm services. No political committee established by a firm which provides investment services and to which the State Treasurer pays compensation, expenses or fees or issues a contract shall make a contribution to, or solicit contributions on behalf of, an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State Treasurer during the term of office of the State Treasurer who does business with such firm.

(g) Independent expenditures. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a corporation, cooperative association, limited partnership, professional association, limited liability company or limited liability partnership, whether formed in this state or any other, acting alone, may make independent expenditures.

Sec. 9-614. (Formerly Sec. 9-333p). Organizations. (a) Formation of political committee. Method of funding. An organization may make contributions or expenditures, other than those made to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, only by first forming its own political committee. The political committee shall then be authorized to receive funds exclusively from the organization’s treasury or from voluntary contributions made by its members, but not both, from another political committee or, from a candidate committee distributing a surplus and (1) to make contributions or expenditures to, or for the benefit of, a candidate’s campaign or a political party, or (2) to make contributions to another political committee. No organization shall form more than one political committee. A political committee shall be deemed to have been established by an organization if the initial contribution to the committee is made by the organization’s treasury or an officer or director of the organization.

(b) Change in method of funding. A political committee established by an organization may elect to alter the manner in which it is funded if it complies with the requirements of this subsection. The committee chairperson shall notify the repository with which the committee’s most recent statement of organization is filed, in writing, of the committee’s intent to alter its manner of funding. Within fifteen days after the date of receipt of such notification, the treasurer of such political committee shall return any funds remaining in the account of the committee to the organization’s treasury after payment of each outstanding liability. Within seven days after the distribution and payments have been made, the treasurer shall file a statement with the same repository itemizing each such distribution and payment. Upon such filing, the treasurer may receive voluntary contributions from any member of the organization which established such committee subject to the limitations imposed in subsection (b) of section 9-612.

(c) Designation of funding method. The chairperson of each political committee established by an organization on or after July 1, 1985, shall designate the manner in which the committee shall be funded in the committee’s statement of organization.

(d) Independent expenditures. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, an organization, acting alone, may make independent expenditures.

Sec. 9-615. (Formerly Sec. 9-333q). Limits on contributions made by political committees established by organizations. (a) No political committee established by an organization shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or for election to the office of: (1) Governor, in excess of five thousand dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars; (3) chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (4) state senator or probate judge, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (5) state representative, in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars; or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars.

(b) No such committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, an exploratory committee, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars. Any such committee may make unlimited contributions to a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question.

(c) The limits imposed by subsection (a) of this section shall apply separately to primaries and elections and no such committee shall make contributions to the candidates designated in this section which in the aggregate exceed fifty thousand dollars for any single election and primary preliminary thereto.

(d) No political committee established by an organization shall make contributions in any one calendar year to, or for the benefit of, (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars; (2) a town committee, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; or (3) any political committee, other than an exploratory committee or a committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, in excess of two thousand dollars.

(e) Contributions to a political committee established by an organization shall be subject to the provisions of section 9-618 in the case of a committee formed for ongoing political activity or section 9-619 in the case of a committee formed for a single election or primary.

Sec. 9-616. (Formerly Sec. 9-333r). Contributions made or received by candidate committees. (a) A candidate committee shall not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, (1) a party committee, (2) a political committee, (3) a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office, (4) a national committee, or (5) another candidate committee except that (A) a pro rata sharing of certain expenses in accordance with subsection (b) of section 9-610 shall be permitted, and (B) after a political party nominates candidates for election to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, whose names shall be so placed on the ballot in the election that an elector will cast a single vote for both candidates, as prescribed in section 9-181, an expenditure by a candidate committee established by either such candidate that benefits the candidate committee established by the other such candidate shall be permitted.

(b) A candidate committee shall not receive contributions from any national committee or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.

Sec. 9-617. (Formerly Sec. 9-333s). Contributions made or received by party committees. (a) A party committee may make unlimited contributions to, or for the benefit of, any of the following: (1) Another party committee; (2) a national committee of a political party; or (3) a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office. A party committee may also make contributions to a charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, or make memorial contributions. A town committee may also contribute to a scholarship awarded by a high school on the basis of objective criteria.

(b) (1) No state central committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of: (A) Governor, in excess of fifty thousand dollars; (B) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of thirty-five thousand dollars; (C) state senator, probate judge or chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of ten thousand dollars; (D) state representative, in excess of five thousand dollars; or (E) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of five thousand dollars. The limits imposed by this subdivision shall apply separately to primaries and elections.

(2) No state central committee shall make a contribution or contributions in any one calendar year to, or for the benefit of (A) a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, in excess of ten thousand dollars, or (B) any other political committee, other than an exploratory committee or a committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars. No state central committee shall make contributions in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.

(c) (1) No town committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of: (A) Governor, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars; (B) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of five thousand dollars; (C) state senator, in excess of five thousand dollars; (D) state representative, probate judge or chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of three thousand dollars; or (E) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars. The limits imposed by this subdivision shall apply separately to primaries and elections.

(2) No town committee shall make a contribution or contributions in any one calendar year to, or for the benefit of (A) a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, in excess of two thousand dollars, or (B) any other political committee, other than an exploratory committee or a committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars. No town committee shall make contributions in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.

(d) A party committee may receive contributions from a federal account of a national committee of a political party, but may not receive contributions from any other account of a national committee of a political party or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office, for use in the election of candidates subject to the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 9-618. (Formerly Sec. 9-333t). Contributions made or received by political committees organized for ongoing political activities. (a) A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may make unlimited contributions to, or for the benefit of, any national committee of a political party; or a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office. Except as provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of this section, no such political committee shall make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to another political committee in any calendar year. No political committee organized for ongoing political activities shall make a contribution in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee. If such an ongoing committee is established by an organization or a business entity, its contributions shall be subject to the limits imposed by sections 9-613 to 9-615, inclusive. A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may make contributions to a charitable organization which is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as from time to time amended, or make memorial contributions.

(b) No political committee organized for ongoing political purposes, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of: (1) Governor, in excess of five thousand dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars; (3) chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (4) state senator or probate judge, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (5) state representative, in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars; or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars. The limits imposed by this subsection shall apply separately to primaries and elections.

(c) No political committee organized for ongoing political purposes, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions in a calendar year to, or for the benefit of (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars; or (2) a town committee of a political party, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars.

(d) (1) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of: (A) State senator, in excess of ten thousand dollars; or (B) state representative, in excess of five thousand dollars. The limits imposed by this subdivision shall apply separately to primaries and elections. No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to any office not included in this subdivision.

(2) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions in any calendar year to, or for the benefit of, the state central committee of a political party, in excess of ten thousand dollars.

(3) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any committee except as provided in this subsection.

(e) A political committee organized for ongoing political activities may receive contributions from the federal account of a national committee of a political party, but may not receive contributions from any other account of a national committee of a political party or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.

Sec. 9-619. (Formerly Sec. 9-333u). Contributions made or received by committees established for a single primary or election. (a) No political committee established for a single primary or election shall make contributions to a national committee, or a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office. If such a political committee is established by an organization or a business entity, its contributions shall also be subject to the limitations imposed by sections 9-613 to 9-615, inclusive. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, no political committee formed for a single election or primary shall, with respect to such election or primary make a contribution or contributions in excess of two thousand dollars to another political committee, provided no such political committee shall make a contribution in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars to an exploratory committee.

(b) No political committee established for a single primary or election, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of: (1) Governor, in excess of five thousand dollars; (2) Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller or Attorney General, in excess of three thousand dollars; (3) chief executive officer of a town, city or borough, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (4) state senator or probate judge, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars; (5) state representative, in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars; or (6) any other office of a municipality not previously included in this subsection, in excess of three hundred seventy-five dollars. The limits imposed by this subsection shall apply separately to primaries and elections.

(c) No political committee established for a single primary or election, except a legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, shall make a contribution or contributions in a calendar year to, or for the benefit of (1) the state central committee of a political party, in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars; or (2) a town committee of a political party, in excess of one thousand five hundred dollars.

(d) (1) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to the office of: (A) State senator, in excess of ten thousand dollars; or (B) state representative, in excess of five thousand dollars. The limits imposed by this subdivision shall apply separately to primaries and elections. No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, for the benefit of, or pursuant to the authorization or request of, a candidate or a committee supporting or opposing any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary, or any candidate’s campaign for election, to any office not included in this subdivision.

(2) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions in any calendar year to, or for the benefit of, the state central committee of a political party, in excess of ten thousand dollars.

(3) No legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make a contribution or contributions to, or for the benefit of, any committee except as provided in this subsection.

(e) A political committee established for a single primary or election shall not receive contributions from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or from a national committee.

Sec. 9-620. (Formerly Sec. 9-333v). Contributions made or received by committees formed to promote success or defeat of referendum questions. (a) A political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not make contributions to, or for the benefit of, a party committee, a political committee, a national committee, a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office or a candidate committee, except in the distribution of a surplus, as provided in subsection (e) of section 9-608.

(b) A political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall not receive contributions from a national committee or from a committee of a candidate for federal or out-of-state office.

(c) No person, other than an individual or a committee, shall make a contribution to a political committee formed solely to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, or to any other person, to aid or promote the success or defeat of a referendum question, in excess of ten cents for each individual residing in the state or political subdivision thereof in which such referendum question is to be voted upon, in accordance with the last federal decennial census.

Sec. 9-621. (Formerly Sec. 9-333w). Political advertising. (a) No individual shall make or incur any expenditure with the consent of, in coordination with or in consultation with any candidate, candidate committee or candidate’s agent, no group of two or more individuals acting together that receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures not exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate and has not formed a political committee shall make or incur any expenditure, and no candidate or committee shall make or incur any expenditure including an organization expenditure for a party candidate listing, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (25) of section 9-601, for any written, typed or other printed communication, or any web-based, written communication, which promotes the success or defeat of any candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election or promotes or opposes any political party or solicits funds to benefit any political party or committee unless such communication bears upon its face as a disclaimer (1) the words “paid for by” and the following: (A) In the case of such an individual, the name and address of such individual; (B) in the case of a committee other than a party committee, the name of the committee and its treasurer; (C) in the case of a party committee, the name of the committee; or (D) in the case of a group of two or more individuals that receives funds or makes or incurs expenditures not exceeding one thousand dollars in the aggregate and has not formed a political committee, the name of the group and the name and address of its agent, and (2) the words “approved by” and the following: (A) In the case of an individual, group or committee other than a candidate committee making or incurring an expenditure with the consent of, in coordination with or in consultation with any candidate, candidate committee or candidate’s agent, the name of the candidate; or (B) in the case of a candidate committee, the name of the candidate.

(b) In addition to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section:

(1) No candidate or candidate committee or exploratory committee established by a candidate shall make or incur any expenditure for television advertising or Internet video advertising, which promotes the success of such candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election or the defeat of another candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election, unless, as a disclaimer, (A) at the end of such advertising there appears simultaneously, for a period of not less than four seconds, (i) a clearly identifiable photographic or similar image of the candidate making such expenditure, (ii) a clearly readable printed statement identifying such candidate, and indicating that such candidate has approved the advertising, and (iii) a simultaneous, personal audio message, in the following form: “I am …. (candidate’s name) and I approved this message”, and (B) the candidate’s name and image appear in, and the candidate’s voice is contained in, the narrative of the advertising, before the end of such advertising;

(2) No candidate or candidate committee or exploratory committee established by a candidate shall make or incur any expenditure for radio advertising or Internet audio advertising, which promotes the success of such candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election or the defeat of another candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election, unless, as a disclaimer, (A) the advertising ends with a personal audio statement by the candidate making such expenditure (i) identifying such candidate and the office such candidate is seeking, and (ii) indicating that such candidate has approved the advertising in the following form: “I am …. (candidate’s name) and I approved this message”, and (B) the candidate’s name and voice are contained in the narrative of the advertising, before the end of such advertising; and

(3) No candidate or candidate committee or exploratory committee established by a candidate shall make or incur any expenditure for automated telephone calls which promote the success of such candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election or the defeat of another candidate’s campaign for nomination at a primary or election, unless the candidate’s name and voice are contained in the narrative of the call, before the end of such call.

(c) No business entity, organization, association, committee, or group of two or more individuals who have joined solely to promote the success or defeat of a referendum question shall make or incur any expenditure for any written, typed or other printed communication which promotes the success or defeat of any referendum question unless such communication bears upon its face, as a disclaimer, the words “paid for by” and the following: (1) In the case of a business entity, organization or association, the name of the business entity, organization or association and the name of its chief executive officer or equivalent, and in the case such communication is made during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the referendum, such communication shall also bear on its face the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to such business entity, organization or association during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such referendum. The communication shall also state that additional information about the business entity, organization or association making such communication may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s Internet web site; (2) in the case of a political committee, the name of the committee and the name of its treasurer; (3) in the case of a party committee, the name of the committee; or (4) in the case of such a group of two or more individuals, the name of the group and the name and address of its agent.

(d) The provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section do not apply to (1) any editorial, news story, or commentary published in any newspaper, magazine or journal on its own behalf and upon its own responsibility and for which it does not charge or receive any compensation whatsoever, (2) any banner, (3) political paraphernalia including pins, buttons, badges, emblems, hats, bumper stickers or other similar materials, or (4) signs with a surface area of not more than thirty-two square feet.

(e) The treasurer of a candidate committee which sponsors any written, typed or other printed communication for the purpose of raising funds to eliminate a campaign deficit of that committee shall include in such communication a statement that the funds are sought to eliminate such a deficit.

(f) The treasurer of an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Treasurer which committee sponsors any written, typed or other printed communication for the purpose of raising funds shall include in such communication a statement concerning the prohibitions set forth in subsection (n) of section 1-84, subsection (e) of section 9-612 and subsection (f) of section 9-613.

(g) In the event a treasurer of a candidate committee is replaced pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-602, nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the candidate committee from distributing any printed communication subject to the provisions of this section that has already been printed or otherwise produced, even though such communication does not accurately designate the successor treasurer of such candidate committee.

(h) (1) No person shall make or incur an independent expenditure for any written, typed or other printed communication, including on a billboard, or any web-based, written communication, unless such communication bears upon its face, as a disclaimer, the words “Paid for by” and the name of such person and the following statement: “This message was made independent of any candidate or political party.”. In the case of a person making or incurring such an independent expenditure during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the primary or election for which the independent expenditure is made, such communication shall also bear upon its face the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to the person making such communication during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such primary or election, as applicable. The communication shall also state that additional information about the person making such communication may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s Internet web site.

(2) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no person shall make or incur an independent expenditure for a video broadcast by television, satellite or Internet, unless at the end of such advertising there appears for a period of not less than four seconds as a disclaimer, the following as an audio message and a written statement: “This message was paid for by (person making the communication) and made independent of any candidate or political party.”. In the case of a person making or incurring such an independent expenditure during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the primary or election for which the independent expenditure is made, such communication shall also list the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to the person making such communication during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such primary or election, as applicable. The communication shall also state that additional information about the person making such communication may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s Internet web site.

(3) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no person shall make or incur an independent expenditure for an audio communication broadcast by radio, satellite or Internet, unless the advertising ends with a disclaimer that is a personal audio statement by such person’s agent (A) identifying the person paying for the expenditure, and (B) indicating that the message was made independent of any candidate or political party, using the following form: “I am …. (name of the person’s agent), …. (title), of …. (the person). This message was made independent of any candidate or political party.”. In the case of a person making or incurring such an independent expenditure during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the primary or election for which the independent expenditure is made, such communication shall state the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to the person making such communication during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such primary or election, as applicable. The communication shall also state that additional information about the person making such communication may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s Internet web site.

(4) In addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no person shall make or incur an independent expenditure for telephone calls, unless the narrative of the telephone call identifies the person making the expenditure and during the ninety-day period immediately prior to the primary or election for which the independent expenditure is made, such communication shall state the names of the five persons who made the five largest aggregate covered transfers to the person making such communication during the twelve-month period immediately prior to such primary or election, as applicable. The communication shall also state that additional information about the person making such communication may be found on the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s Internet web site.

(i) In any print, television or social media promotion of a slate of candidates by a party committee, the party committee shall use applicable disclaimers pursuant to the provisions of this section for such promotion, and no individual candidate disclaimers shall be required.

(j) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, if any person whose name is included on a disclaimer of a communication pursuant to the provisions of this section, as a person who made a covered transfer to the maker of the communication, is also a recipient of a covered transfer, the maker of the communication, as part of any report filed pursuant to section 9-601d associated with the making of such communication, shall include the names of the five persons who made the top five largest aggregate covered transfers to such recipient during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the primary or election, as applicable.

(2) The name of any person who made a covered transfer to a tax-exempt organization recognized under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, that has not had its tax exempt status revoked, shall not be disclosed pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) The name of any person who made a covered transfer to a person whose name is included on a disclaimer pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be disclosed pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection if the recipient of such covered transfer accepts covered transfers from at least one hundred different sources, provided no such source accounts for ten per cent or more of the total amount of covered transfers accepted by the recipient during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the primary or election, as applicable.

(k) Any disclaimer required to be on the face of a written, typed or other printed communication pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be printed in no smaller than eight-point type of uniform font when such disclaimer is on a communication contained in a flyer or leaflet, newspaper, magazine or similar literature, or that is delivered by mail.

(l) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no person making an independent expenditure for a communication shall be required to list as part of any disclaimer pursuant to this section any person whose covered transfers to the maker of the communication are not in an aggregate amount of five thousand dollars or more during the twelve-month period immediately prior to the primary or election, as applicable, for which such independent expenditure is made.

(m) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any disclaimer required to be on the face of any Internet text advertisement communication (1) that appears based on the result of a search conducted by a user of an Internet search engine, and (2) the text of which contains two hundred or fewer characters, shall not be required to list the names of the five persons who made the top five largest aggregate covered transfers to the maker of such communication, as otherwise required by this section, if such disclaimer (A) includes a link to an Internet web site that discloses the names of such five persons, and (B) otherwise contains any statement required pursuant to the provisions of this section.

Sec. 9-622. (Formerly Sec. 9-333x). Illegal practices. The following persons shall be guilty of illegal practices and shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of section 9-623:

(1) Any person who, directly or indirectly, individually or by another person, gives or offers or promises to any person any money, gift, advantage, preferment, entertainment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing for the purpose of inducing or procuring any person to sign a nominating, primary or referendum petition or to vote or refrain from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any election, caucus, convention, primary or referendum;

(2) Any person who, directly or indirectly, receives, accepts, requests or solicits from any person, committee, association, organization or corporation, any money, gift, advantage, preferment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing for the purpose of inducing or procuring any person to sign a nominating, primary or referendum petition or to vote or refrain from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any such election, caucus, primary or referendum;

(3) Any person who, in consideration of any money, gift, advantage, preferment, aid, emolument or other valuable thing paid, received, accepted or promised to the person’s advantage or any other person’s advantage, votes or refrains from voting for or against any person or for or against any measure at any such election, caucus, primary or referendum;

(4) Any person who solicits from any candidate any money, gift, contribution, emolument or other valuable thing for the purpose of using the same for the support, assistance, benefit or expenses of any club, company or organization, or for the purpose of defraying the cost or expenses of any political campaign, primary, referendum or election;

(5) Any person who, directly or indirectly, pays, gives, contributes or promises any money or other valuable thing to defray or towards defraying the cost or expenses of any campaign, primary, referendum or election to any person, committee, company, club, organization or association, other than to a treasurer, except that this subdivision shall not apply to any expenses for postage, telegrams, telephoning, stationery, express charges, traveling, meals, lodging or photocopying incurred by any candidate for office or for nomination to office, so far as may be permitted under the provisions of this chapter;

(6) Any person who, in order to secure or promote the person’s own nomination or election as a candidate, or that of any other person, directly or indirectly, promises to appoint, or promises to secure or assist in securing the appointment, nomination or election of any other person to any public position, or to any position of honor, trust or emolument; but any person may publicly announce the person’s own choice or purpose in relation to any appointment, nomination or election in which the person may be called to take part, if the person is nominated for or elected to such office;

(7) Any person who, directly or indirectly, individually or through another person, makes a payment or promise of payment to a treasurer in a name other than the person’s own, and any treasurer who knowingly receives a payment or promise of payment, or enters or causes the same to be entered in the person’s accounts in any other name than that of the person by whom such payment or promise of payment is made;

(8) Any person who knowingly and wilfully violates any provision of this chapter;

(9) Any person who offers or receives a cash contribution in excess of one hundred dollars to promote the success or defeat of any political party, candidate or referendum question;

(10) Any person who solicits, makes or receives a contribution that is otherwise prohibited by any provision of this chapter;

(11) Any department head or deputy department head of a state department who solicits a contribution on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any candidate for state, district or municipal office or any political party;

(12) Any municipal employee who solicits a contribution on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any candidate for state, district or municipal office, any political committee or any political party, from (A) an individual under the supervision of such employee, or (B) the spouse or a dependent child of such individual;

(13) Any person who makes an expenditure, that is not an independent expenditure, for a candidate without the knowledge of such candidate. No candidate shall be civilly or criminally liable with regard to any such expenditure;

(14) Any chief of staff of a legislative caucus who solicits a contribution on behalf of or for the benefit of any candidate for state, district or municipal office from an employee of the legislative caucus;

(15) Any chief of staff for a state-wide elected official who solicits a contribution on behalf of or for the benefit of any candidate for state, district or municipal office from a member of such official’s staff; or

(16) Any chief of staff for the Governor or Lieutenant Governor who solicits a contribution on behalf of or for the benefit of any candidate for state, district or municipal office from a member of the staff of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, or from any commissioner or deputy commissioner of any state agency.

Sec. 9-623. (Formerly Sec. 9-333y). Penalties. (a) Any person who knowingly and wilfully violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a class D felony. The Secretary of the State or the town clerk shall notify the State Elections Enforcement Commission of any such violation of which said secretary or such town clerk may have knowledge. Any such fine for a violation of any provision of this chapter applying to the office of the Treasurer shall be deposited on a pro rata basis in any trust funds, as defined in section 3-13c, affected by such violation.

(b) (1) If any treasurer fails to file any statement required by section 9-608, or if any candidate fails to file either (A) a statement for the formation of a candidate committee as required by section 9-604, or (B) a certification pursuant to section 9-603 that the candidate is exempt from forming a candidate committee as required by section 9-604, within the time required, the treasurer or candidate, as the case may be, shall pay a late filing fee of one hundred dollars.

(2) In the case of any such statement or certification that is required to be filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, the commission shall, not later than ten days after the filing deadline is, or should be, known to have passed, notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the person required to file that, if such statement or certification is not filed not later than twenty-one days after such notice, the person is in violation of section 9-603, 9-604 or 9-608.

(3) In the case of any such statement or certification that is required to be filed with a town clerk, the town clerk shall forthwith after the filing deadline is, or should be, known to have passed, notify by certified mail, return receipt requested, the person required to file that, if such statement or certification is not filed not later than seven days after the town clerk mails such notice, the town clerk shall notify the State Elections Enforcement Commission that the person is in violation of section 9-603, 9-604 or 9-608.

(4) The penalty for any violation of section 9-603, 9-604 or 9-608 shall be a fine of not less than two hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

Sec. 9-624. (Formerly Sec. 9-346a). Preparation and distribution of forms; town clerk’s fee. (a) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall prepare and print the forms required for compliance with this chapter and distribute them upon request to candidates and treasurers.

(b) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall, at the expense of the state, prepare and print all forms for statements required to be returned under the provisions of this chapter and shall furnish to each town clerk a sufficient supply of each of such blank forms as are required to be filed with or returned to the town clerk. The town clerk of each town shall, upon request, distribute to treasurers the forms required for compliance with this chapter and, if not salaried, shall be entitled to receive from the town the sum of ten cents for each copy.

Sec. 9-625. (Formerly Sec. 9-346b). Powers of state referees and judges. Preservation of testimony. Witnesses. Expenses of inquiry. (a) Any state referee or any judge of the Superior Court may, upon the written request of any state’s attorney or any assistant state’s attorney, conduct an inquiry as to whether any crime has been committed concerning any matters mentioned in such request, within the jurisdiction of such state’s attorney or assistant state’s attorney making such request, and any such referee or judge, and any such state’s or assistant state’s attorney, may compel the attendance of any person as a witness by subpoena issued by him; and such person, having been sworn as a witness, may be examined relative to any such matter under investigation. Such referee, judge or attorney may also compel the production for examination at such inquiry of any books or papers or any other thing which he may require in the conduct of such inquiry by subpoena duces tecum issued by him. Such referee or judge may cause any person who fails to appear before him as a witness, having been summoned, to be brought before him by a capias issued by him; and any person in attendance as a witness who refuses to be sworn as a witness, or who, being sworn, refuses to answer any proper question propounded to him, and any person summoned who fails to appear before the referee or judge, may be adjudged guilty of contempt which shall be punishable as a class D misdemeanor. In any proceeding held under the provisions of this section, if any witness objects to testifying or to producing any book, paper or other thing on the ground that such testimony, book, paper or thing may tend to degrade or incriminate him or render him liable to a penalty or forfeiture, and such referee or judge directs or compels such witness to testify or to produce such book, paper or thing, he shall not be prosecuted for any matter concerning which he has so testified, or evidenced by such book, paper or thing so produced, except for perjury committed in so testifying.

(b) In the conduct of any such inquiry the referee, judge, state’s attorney or assistant state’s attorney may employ a competent stenographer to take notes of the examination of any witness, and may furnish a transcript of such notes to any prosecuting officer having jurisdiction of the subject matter of such inquiry. The referee or judge may require the attendance and assistance, at any such inquiry and in procuring the attendance of witnesses, of any state policeman, constable or police officer, who shall be allowed such compensation as the referee or judge deems reasonable.

(c) The referee, judge, state’s attorney or assistant state’s attorney shall return to the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district in which such inquiry is held an account of all expenses incurred in the discharge of the duties imposed by this section or required by this chapter, including witness fees, and shall endorse the same, if correct, or such items of the account as are correct, and the endorsed sums shall be paid by the state on the order of the clerk.

Secs. 9-626 to 9-674. Reserved for future use.

Chapter 156 – Computerization of Campaign Financing Statements and Data

CHAPTER 156 – COMPUTERIZATION OF CAMPAIGN FINANCING STATEMENTS AND DATA

Sec. 9-675. (Formerly Sec. 9-348ee). *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Filing of campaign finance statements in electronic form. (a) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall (1) create a software program or programs for the preparation of financial disclosure statements required by section 9-608, and (2) prescribe the standard reporting format and specifications for other software programs created by vendors for such purpose. No software program created by a vendor may be used for the electronic submission of such financial disclosure statements, until the commission determines that the program provides for the standard reporting format, and complies with the specifications, which are prescribed under subdivision (2) of this subsection for vendor software programs. The commission shall provide training in the use of the software program or programs created by the commission.

(b) The treasurer of the candidate committee for each candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State who raises or spends two hundred fifty thousand dollars or more during an election campaign shall file in electronic form all financial disclosure statements required by section 9-608 by either transmitting disks, tapes or other electronic storage media containing the contents of such statements to the State Elections Enforcement Commission or transmitting the statements on-line to said commission. Each such treasurer shall use either (1) a software program created by the commission under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, for all such statements, or (2) another software program which provides for the standard reporting format, and complies with the specifications, which are prescribed by the commission under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, for all such statements. The commission shall accept any statement that uses any such software program. Once any such candidate committee has raised or spent two hundred fifty thousand dollars or more during an election campaign, all previously filed statements required by said section 9-608, which were not filed in electronic form shall be refiled in such form, using such a software program, not later than the date on which the treasurer of the committee is required to file the next regular statement under said section 9-608.

(c) (1) The treasurer of the candidate committee for any other candidate, as defined in section 9-601, who is required to file the financial disclosure statements required by section 9-608 with the commission, and (2) the treasurer of any political committee or party committee, may file in electronic form any financial disclosure statements required by said section 9-608. Such filings may be made by either transmitting disks, tapes or other electronic storage media containing the contents of such statements to the proper authority under section 9-603 or transmitting the statements on-line to such proper authority. Each such treasurer shall use either (A) a software program created by the commission under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, for all such statements filed in electronic form, or (B) another software program which provides for the standard reporting format, and complies with the specifications, which are prescribed by the commission under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, for all such statements filed in electronic form. The proper authority under section 9-603 shall accept any statement that uses any such software program.

*Note: On and after July 1, 2017, this section, as amended by section 1 of public act 16-203, is to read as follows:

“Sec. 9-675 (Formerly Sec. 9-348ee). Electronic submission of campaign finance disclosure statements required. Waiver for good cause. (a) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall (1) create a web-based program for the preparation and electronic submission of financial disclosure statements required by chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, and (2) prescribe the standard reporting format and specifications for any software program created by a vendor for such purpose.Nosoftware program created by a vendor may be used for the electronic submission of such financial disclosure statements unless the commission determines that the software program provides for the standard reporting format and complies with the specifications prescribed under subdivision (2) of this subsection for any such software program. The commission shall provide training in the use of the web-based program created by the commission.

(b) On and after July 1, 2017, the following shall file all financial disclosure statements required by chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, by electronic submission pursuant to subsection (a) of this section: (1) The treasurer of the candidate committee or exploratory committee for each candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator, state representative or judge of probate that raises or spends one thousand dollars or more, (2) the treasurer of any state central committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee, (3) the treasurer of any other political committee or town committee required to be registered with the commission that (A) raises or spends one thousand dollars or more during the current calendar year, or (B) raised or spent one thousand dollars or more in the preceding regular election cycle, and (4) the treasurer of any committee, or any other person, whomakesor obligates to make any independent expenditure and who is required to file a financial disclosure statement of any such independent expenditure with the State Elections Enforcement Commission in accordance with the provisions of section 9-601d. Once any such candidate committee or exploratory committee has raised or spent one thousand dollars or more during an election campaign, all previously filed statements required by chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, which were not filed by electronic submission shall be refiled in such manner not later than the date on which the treasurer of such committee is required to file its next financial disclosure statement.

(c) (1) The treasurer of the candidate committee for any other candidate, as defined in section 9-601, that neither raises nor spends one thousand dollars or more who is required to file the financial disclosure statements required by chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, with the commission, and (2) the treasurer of any other political committee or town committee that neither raises nor spends one thousand dollars or more who is required to file the financial disclosure statements required by chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, with the State Elections Enforcement Commission may file any such financial disclosure statements by electronic submission pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, upon the written request of a treasurer or any other person described in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (b) of this section, the commission may waive the requirement to file by electronic submission pursuant to subsection (a) of this section if such treasurer or other person demonstrates good cause.”

Sec. 9-676. (Formerly Sec. 9-348ff). Conversion of data from paper format to electronic format. The State Elections Enforcement Commissionshall, within available appropriations, convert all data in statements required by section 9-608 that are filed in paper format on and after such date, to an electronic format and be authorized to use a portion of the funds for oversight of such conversion.

Sec. 9-677. (Formerly Sec. 9-348gg). Public access to computerized data from campaign finance statements. The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall make all computerized data from statements required by section 9-608 available to the public through (1) computer terminals at the commission and, if feasible, at remote access locations, and (2) the Internet or any other generally available on-line computer network.

Secs. 9-678 to 9-699. Reserved for future use.

Chapter 157 – Citizens’ Election Program

CHAPTER 157 – CITIZENS’ ELECTION PROGRAM

PART I

PROGRAM

Sec. 9-700. Definitions. As used in sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive:

(1) “Commission” means the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

(2) “Depository account” means the single checking account at the depository institution designated as the depository for the candidate committee’s moneys in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 9-604.

(3) “District office” has the same meaning as provided in section 9-372.

(4) “Eligible minor party candidate” means a candidate for election to an office who is nominated by a minor party pursuant to subpart B of part III of chapter 153.

(5) “Eligible petitioning party candidate” means a candidate for election to an office pursuant to subpart C of part III of chapter 153 whose nominating petition has been approved by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-453o.

(6) “Fund” means the Citizens’ Election Fund established in section 9-701.

(7) “General election campaign” means (A) in the case of a candidate nominated at a primary, the period beginning on the day following the primary and ending on the date the treasurer files the final statement for such campaign pursuant to section 9-608, or (B) in the case of a candidate nominated without a primary, the period beginning on the day following the day on which the candidate is nominated and ending on the date the treasurer files the final statement for such campaign pursuant to section 9-608.

(8) “Major party” has the same meaning as provided in section 9-372.

(9) “Minor party” has the same meaning as provided in section 9-372.

(10) “Municipal office” has the same meaning as provided in section 9-372.

(11) “Primary campaign” means the period beginning on the day following the close of (A) a convention held pursuant to section 9-382 for the purpose of endorsing a candidate for nomination to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative, or (B) a caucus, convention or town committee meeting held pursuant to section 9-390 for the purpose of endorsing a candidate for the municipal office of state senator or state representative, whichever is applicable, and ending on the day of a primary held for the purpose of nominating a candidate for such office.

(12) “Qualified candidate committee” means a candidate committee (A) established to aid or promote the success of any candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Secretary of the State, state senator or state representative, and (B) approved by the commission to receive a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund under section 9-706.

Sec. 9-701. Citizens’ Election Fund. There is established the “Citizens’ Election Fund”, which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The fund may contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the fund. Investment earnings credited to the assets of the fund shall become part of the assets of the fund. The State Treasurer shall administer the fund. All moneys deposited in the fund shall be used for the purposes of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive.

Sec. 9-702. Citizens’ Election Program established. Eligibility for grants. (a) There is established a Citizens’ Election Program under which (1) the candidate committee of a major party candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may receive a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund for the candidate’s primary campaign for said nomination, and (2) the candidate committee of a candidate nominated by a major party, or the candidate committee of an eligible minor party candidate or an eligible petitioning party candidate, for election to the office of state senator or state representative at a special election held on or after December 31, 2006, or at a regular election held in 2008, or thereafter, or for election to the office of Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may receive a grant from the fund for the candidate’s general election campaign for said office.

(b) Any such candidate committee is eligible to receive such grants for a primary campaign, if applicable, and a general election campaign if (1) the candidate certifies as a participating candidate under section 9-703, (2) the candidate’s candidate committee receives the required amount of qualifying contributions under section 9-704, (3) the candidate’s candidate committee returns all contributions that do not meet the criteria for qualifying contributions under section 9-704, (4) the candidate agrees to limit the campaign expenditures of the candidate’s candidate committee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, and (5) the candidate submits an application and the commission approves the application in accordance with the provisions of section 9-706.

(c) A candidate participating in the Citizens’ Election Program shall limit the expenditures of the candidate’s candidate committee (A) before a primary campaign and a general election campaign, to the amount of qualifying contributions permitted in section 9-704 and any personal funds provided by the candidate under subsection (c) of section 9-710, (B) for a primary campaign, to the sum of (i) the amount of such qualifying contributions and personal funds that have not been spent before the primary campaign, and (ii) the amount of the grant for the primary campaign authorized under section 9-705, and (C) for a general election campaign, to the sum of (i) the amount of such qualifying contributions and personal funds that have not been spent before the general election campaign, (ii) any unexpended funds from any grant for a primary campaign authorized under section 9-705, and (iii) the amount of the grant for the general election campaign authorized under section 9-705. The candidate committee of a minor or petitioning party candidate who has received a general election campaign grant from the fund pursuant to section 9-705 shall be permitted to receive contributions in addition to the qualifying contributions subject to the limitations and restrictions applicable to participating candidates for the same office, provided such minor or petitioning party candidate shall limit the expenditures of the candidate committee for a general election campaign to the sum of the qualifying contributions and personal funds, the amount of the general election campaign grant received and the amount raised in additional contributions that is equivalent to the difference between the amount of the applicable general election campaign grant for a major party candidate for such office and the amount of the general election campaign grant received by such minor or petitioning party candidate.

(d) For the purposes of this chapter, if a qualified candidate committee receives a grant for a primary campaign and has qualifying contributions that have not been spent before the primary campaign, no expenditures by such committee during the primary campaign shall be deemed to have been made from such qualifying contributions until the primary campaign grant funds have been fully spent.

(e) No grants or moneys paid to a qualified candidate committee from the Citizens’ Election Fund under this chapter shall be deemed to be public funds under any other provision of the general statutes or any public or special act unless specifically stated by such provision.

Sec. 9-703. Affidavit certifying candidate’s intent to abide or not abide by expenditure limits. (a) Each candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, shall file an affidavit with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. The affidavit shall include a written certification that the candidate either intends to abide by the expenditure limits under the Citizens’ Election Program set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702, or does not intend to abide by said limits. If the candidate intends to abide by said limits, the affidavit shall also include written certifications (1) that the treasurer of the candidate committee for said candidate shall expend any moneys received from the Citizens’ Election Fund in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 9-607 and regulations adopted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission under subsection (e) of section 9-706, (2) that the candidate shall repay to the fund any such moneys that are not expended in accordance with subsection (g) of section 9-607 and said regulations, (3) that the candidate and the treasurer shall comply with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-711, and (4) stating the candidate’s status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate and, in the case of a major party or minor party candidate, the name of such party. The written certification described in subdivision (3) of this subsection shall be made by both the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate committee for said candidate. A candidate for nomination or election to any such office shall file such affidavit not later than four o’clock p.m. on the twenty-fifth day before the day of a primary, if applicable, or on the fortieth day before the day of the election for such office, except that in the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative, the candidate shall file such affidavit not later than four o’clock p.m. on the twenty-fifth day before the day of such special election. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a candidate who is not required to form a candidate committee pursuant to subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 9-604, files a certification with the commission pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-603 and does not intend to participate in the Citizens’ Election Program shall not be required to file such affidavit of intent not to abide by the expenditure limits of said program. Any such candidate shall be referred to as a nonparticipating candidate, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

(b) A candidate who so certifies the candidate’s intent to abide by the expenditure limits under the Citizens’ Election Program set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702 shall be referred to in sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, as a “participating candidate” and a candidate who so certifies the candidate’s intent to not abide by said limits shall be referred to in sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, as a “nonparticipating candidate”. The commission shall prepare a list of the participating candidates and a list of the nonparticipating candidates and shall make such lists available for public inspection.

(c) A participating candidate may withdraw from participation in the Citizens’ Election Program before applying for an initial grant under section 9-706, by filing an affidavit with the State Elections Enforcement Commission, which includes a written certification of such withdrawal. A candidate who files such an affidavit shall be deemed to be a nonparticipating candidate for the purposes of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, and shall not be penalized for such withdrawal. No participating candidate shall withdraw from participation in the Citizens’ Election Program after applying for an initial grant under section 9-706.

Sec. 9-704. Qualifying contributions. (a) The amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for grants from the Citizens’ Election Fund shall be:

(1) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, of which two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars or more is contributed by individuals residing in the state. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating such amounts, and (B) all contributions received by (i) an exploratory committee established by said candidate, or (ii) an exploratory committee or candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor who is deemed to be jointly campaigning with a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor under subsection (a) of section 9-709, which meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating such amounts; and

(2) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of seventy-five thousand dollars, of which sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars or more is contributed by individuals residing in the state. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating such amounts, and (B) all contributions received by an exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating such amounts.

(3) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state senator for a district, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of fifteen thousand dollars, including contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is five dollars or more, and (C) all contributions received by an exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision and all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least three hundred individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement.

(4) In the case of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of state representative for a district, contributions from individuals in the aggregate amount of five thousand dollars, including contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district. The provisions of this subdivision shall be subject to the following: (A) The candidate committee shall return the portion of any contribution or contributions from any individual, including said candidate, that exceeds one hundred dollars, and such excess portion shall not be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision, (B) no contribution shall be counted for the purposes of the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district unless the contribution is five dollars or more, and (C) all contributions received by an exploratory committee established by said candidate that meet the criteria for qualifying contributions to candidate committees under this section shall be considered in calculating the aggregate contribution amount under this subdivision and all such exploratory committee contributions that also meet the requirement under this subdivision for contributions from at least one hundred fifty individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in the district shall be counted for the purposes of said requirement.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in the case of a special election for the office of state senator or state representative for a district, (A) the aggregate amount of qualifying contributions that the candidate committee of a candidate for such office shall be required to receive in order to be eligible for a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding amount required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4), and (B) the number of contributions required from individuals residing in municipalities included, in whole or in part, in said district shall be seventy-five per cent or more of the corresponding number required under the applicable said subdivision (3) or (4).

(b) Each individual who makes a contribution of more than fifty dollars to a candidate committee established to aid or promote the success of a participating candidate for nomination or election shall include with the contribution a certification that contains the same information described in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 9-608 and shall follow the same procedure prescribed in said subsection.

(c) The following shall not be deemed to be qualifying contributions under subsection (a) of this section and shall be returned by the treasurer of the candidate committee to the contributor or transmitted to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for deposit in the Citizens’ Election Fund:

(1) A contribution from a principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor;

(2) A contribution of less than five dollars, and a contribution of five dollars or more from an individual who does not provide the full name and complete address of the individual;

(3) A contribution under subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section from an individual who does not reside in the state, in excess of the applicable limit on contributions from out-of-state individuals in subsection (a) of this section; and

(4) A contribution made by a youth who is less than twelve years of age.

(d) After a candidate committee receives the applicable aggregate amount of qualifying contributions under subsection (a) of this section, the candidate committee shall transmit any additional contributions that it receives to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Citizens’ Election Fund.

(e) As used in this section, “principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” has the same meaning as provided in subsection (g) of section 9-612, and “individual” shall include sole proprietorships.

Sec. 9-705. Grants for primary and general election campaigns. Supplemental grants for petitioning and minor party candidates.  (a) (1) The qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of Governor who has a primary for nomination to said office shall be eligible to receive a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund for the primary campaign in the amount of one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars, provided, in the case of a primary held in 2014, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (d) of this section.

(2) The qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Governor who has been nominated, or who has qualified to appear on the election ballot in accordance with the provisions of subpart C of part III of chapter 153,1 shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount of six million dollars, provided (A) any such committee shall receive seventy-five per cent of said amount if such committee applies for such grant, in accordance with section 9-706, on or after the seventieth day but before the fifty-sixth day preceding the election, (B) any such committee shall receive sixty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the fifty-sixth day but before the forty-second day preceding the election, (C) any such committee shall receive fifty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the forty-second day but before the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, (D) any such committee shall receive forty per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, and (E) in the case of an election held in 2014, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (d) of this section.

(b) (1) The qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer who has a primary for nomination to said office shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the primary campaign in the amount of three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars, provided, in the case of a primary held in 2014, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (d) of this section.

(2) The qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer who has been nominated, or who has qualified to appear on the election ballot in accordance with the provisions of subpart C of part III of chapter 153, shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, provided (A) any such committee shall receive seventy-five per cent of said amount if such committee applies for such grant, in accordance with section 9-706, on or after the seventieth day but before the fifty-sixth day preceding the election, (B) any such committee shall receive sixty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the fifty-sixth day but before the forty-second day preceding the election, (C) any such committee shall receive fifty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the forty-second day but before the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, (D) any such committee shall receive forty per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, and (E) in the case of an election held in 2014, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (d) of this section.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the qualified candidate committee of an eligible minor party candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least ten per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election. The amount of the grant shall be one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a candidate for the same office, provided (A) if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least fifteen per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the amount of the grant shall be two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a candidate for the same office, (B) if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the amount of the grant shall be the same as the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a candidate for the same office, and (C) in the case of an election held in 2014, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (d) of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the qualified candidate committee of an eligible petitioning party candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least ten per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election. The amount of the grant shall be one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a candidate for the same office, provided (A) if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least fifteen per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election, the amount of the grant shall be two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a candidate for the same office, (B) if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election, the amount of the grant shall be the same as the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a candidate for the same office, and (C) in the case of an election held in 2014, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (d) of this section.

(3) In addition to the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the qualified candidate committee of an eligible petitioning party candidate and the qualified candidate committee of an eligible minor party candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer shall be eligible to receive a supplemental grant from the fund after the general election if the treasurer of such candidate committee reports a deficit in the first statement filed after the general election, pursuant to section 9-608, and such candidate received a greater percentage of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election than the percentage of votes utilized by such candidate to obtain a general election campaign grant described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection. The amount of such supplemental grant shall be calculated as follows:

(A) In the case of any such candidate who receives more than ten per cent, but not more than fifteen per cent, of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the grant shall be the product of (i) a fraction in which the numerator is the difference between the percentage of such whole number of votes received by such candidate and ten per cent and the denominator is ten, and (ii) two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a major party candidate for the same office.

(B) In the case of any such candidate who receives more than fifteen per cent, but less than twenty per cent, of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the grant shall be the product of (i) a fraction in which the numerator is the difference between the percentage of such whole number of votes received by such candidate and fifteen per cent and the denominator is five, and (ii) one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a major party candidate for the same office.

(C) The sum of the general election campaign grant received by any such candidate and a supplemental grant under this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred per cent of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (a) or (b) of this section for a major party candidate for the same office.

(d) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, for elections held in 2014, and thereafter, the amount of the grants in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2014, and quadrennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

(2) For elections held in 2018, the amount of the grants in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission immediately in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on December 31, 2013.

(e) (1) The qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of state senator who has a primary for nomination to said office shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the primary campaign in the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars, provided (A) if the percentage of the electors in the district served by said office who are enrolled in said major party exceeds the percentage of the electors in said district who are enrolled in another major party by at least twenty percentage points, the amount of said grant shall be seventy-five thousand dollars, and (B) in the case of a primary held in 2010, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section. For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, the number of enrolled members of a major party and the number of electors in a district shall be determined by the latest enrollment and voter registration records in the office of the Secretary of the State submitted in accordance with the provisions of section 9-65. The names of electors on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35 shall not be counted for such purposes.

(2) (A) In the case of a state election, the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state senator who has been nominated, or has qualified to appear on the election ballot in accordance with subpart C of part III of chapter 153, shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount of eighty-five thousand dollars, provided (i) any such committee shall receive seventy-five per cent of said amount if such committee applies for such grant, in accordance with section 9-706, on or after the seventieth day but before the fifty-sixth day preceding the election, (ii) any such committee shall receive sixty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the fifty-sixth day but before the forty-second day preceding the election, (iii) any such committee shall receive fifty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the forty-second day but before the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, (iv) any such committee shall receive forty per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, and (v) in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(B) In the case of a special election, the qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of state senator who has been nominated shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount specified in subparagraph (A)(i) of this subdivision, provided in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(3) (A) In the case of an adjourned primary pursuant to section 9-446, a qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of state senator who appears on the ballot for such adjourned primary shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the adjourned primary in an amount of fifteen thousand dollars, provided in the case of a primary held in 2016, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(B) In the case of an adjourned election pursuant to section 9-332, a qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state senator who has been nominated, or has qualified to appear on the election ballot in accordance with subpart C of part III of chapter 153, and who appears on the ballot for such adjourned election shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars, provided in the case of an election held in 2016, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(f) (1) The qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of state representative who has a primary for nomination to said office shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the primary campaign in the amount of ten thousand dollars, provided (A) if the percentage of the electors in the district served by said office who are enrolled in said major party exceeds the percentage of the electors in said district who are enrolled in another major party by at least twenty percentage points, the amount of said grant shall be twenty-five thousand dollars, and (B) in the case of a primary held in 2010, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section. For the purposes of subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, the number of enrolled members of a major party and the number of electors in a district shall be determined by the latest enrollment and voter registration records in the office of the Secretary of the State submitted in accordance with the provisions of section 9-65. The names of electors on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35 shall not be counted for such purposes.

(2) (A) In the case of a state election, the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state representative who has been nominated, or has qualified to appear on the election ballot in accordance with subpart C of part III of chapter 153, shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars, provided (i) any such committee shall receive seventy-five per cent of said amount if such committee applies for such grant, in accordance with section 9-706, on or after the seventieth day but before the fifty-sixth day preceding the election, (ii) any such committee shall receive sixty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the fifty-sixth day but before the forty-second day preceding the election, (iii) any such committee shall receive fifty-five per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the forty-second day but before the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, (iv) any such committee shall receive forty per cent of said amount if such committee so applies on or after the twenty-eighth day preceding the election, and (v) in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(B) In the case of a special election, the qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of state representative who has been nominated shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount specified in subparagraph (A)(i) of this subdivision, provided in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(3) (A) In the case of an adjourned primary pursuant to section 9-446, a qualified candidate committee of a major party candidate for the office of state representative who appears on the ballot for such adjourned primary shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the adjourned primary in an amount of five thousand dollars, provided in the case of a primary held in 2016, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(B) In the case of an adjourned election pursuant to section 9-332, a qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state representative who has been nominated, or has qualified to appear on the election ballot in accordance with subpart C of part III of chapter 153, and who appears on the ballot for such adjourned election shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign in the amount of five thousand dollars, provided in the case of an election held in 2016, or thereafter, said amount shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(g) (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (e) and (f) of this section, the qualified candidate committee of an eligible minor party candidate for the office of state senator or state representative shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least ten per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election.

(A) In the case of a state election, the amount of the grant shall be one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, provided (i) if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least fifteen per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the amount of the grant shall be two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, (ii) if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the amount of the grant shall be the same as the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, and (iii) in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(B) In the case of a special election, the amount of the grant shall be one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, provided (i) if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least fifteen per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the amount of the grant shall be two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, (ii) if the candidate of the same minor party for the same office at the last preceding regular election received at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the amount of the grant shall be the same as the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, and (iii) in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (e) and (f) of this section, the qualified candidate committee of an eligible petitioning party candidate for the office of state senator or state representative shall be eligible to receive a grant from the fund for the general election campaign if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least ten per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election.

(A) In the case of a state election, the amount of the grant shall be one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, provided (i) if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least fifteen per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election, the amount of the grant shall be two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, (ii) if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election, the amount of the grant shall be the same as the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, and (iii) in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(B) In the case of a special election, the amount of the grant shall be one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, provided (i) if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least fifteen per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election, the amount of the grant shall be two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, (ii) if said candidate’s nominating petition has been signed by a number of qualified electors equal to at least twenty per cent of the whole number of votes cast for the same office at the last preceding regular election, the amount of the grant shall be the same as the amount of the general election campaign grant under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of this section or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this section for a candidate for the same office, and (C) in the case of an election held in 2010, or thereafter, said amounts shall be adjusted under subsection (h) of this section.

(3) In addition to the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the qualified candidate committee of an eligible petitioning party candidate and the qualified candidate committee of an eligible minor party candidate for the office of state senator or state representative shall be eligible to receive a supplemental grant from the fund after the general election if the treasurer of such candidate committee reports a deficit in the first statement filed after the general election, pursuant to section 9-608, and such candidate received a greater percentage of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election than the percentage of votes utilized by such candidate to obtain a general election campaign grant described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection. The amount of such supplemental grant shall be calculated as follows:

(A) In the case of any such candidate who receives more than ten per cent, but less than fifteen per cent, of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the grant shall be the product of (i) a fraction in which the numerator is the difference between the percentage of such whole number of votes received by such candidate and ten per cent and the denominator is ten, and (ii) two-thirds of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (e) or (f) of this section for a major party candidate for the same office.

(B) In the case of any such candidate who receives more than fifteen per cent, but less than twenty per cent, of the whole number of votes cast for all candidates for said office at said election, the grant shall be the product of (i) a fraction in which the numerator is the difference between the percentage of such whole number of votes received by such candidate and fifteen per cent and the denominator is five, and (ii) one-third of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (e) or (f) of this section for a major party candidate for the same office.

(C) The sum of the general election campaign grant received by any such candidate and a supplemental grant under this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred per cent of the amount of the general election campaign grant under subsection (e) or (f) of this section for a major party candidate for the same office.

(h) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, for elections held in 2010, and thereafter, the amount of the grants in subsections (e), (f) and (g) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2010, and biennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2008, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

(2) For elections held in 2018, the amount of the grants in subsections (e), (f) and (g) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission immediately in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2008, and ending on December 31, 2015.

(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) to (h), inclusive, of this section:

(1) The initial grant that a qualified candidate committee for a candidate is eligible to receive under subsections (a) to (h), inclusive, of this section shall be reduced by the amount of any personal funds that the candidate provides for the candidate’s campaign for nomination or election pursuant to subsection (c) of section 9-710;

(2) If a participating candidate is nominated at a primary and does not expend the entire grant for the primary campaign authorized under subsection (a), (b), (e) or (f) of this section, the amount of the grant for the general election campaign shall be reduced by the total amount of any such unexpended primary campaign grant and moneys;

(3) If a participating candidate who is nominated for election does not have any opponent in the general election campaign, the amount of the general election campaign grant for which the qualified candidate committee for said candidate shall be eligible shall be thirty per cent of the applicable amount set forth in subsections (a) to (h), inclusive, of this section. For purposes of this subdivision, a participating candidate shall be deemed to have an opponent if (A) a major party has properly endorsed any other candidate and made the requisite filing with the Secretary of the State within the time specified in section 9-391 or 9-400, as applicable, (B) any candidate of any other major party has received not less than fifteen per cent of the vote of convention delegates and has complied with the filing requirements set forth in section 9-400, or (C) any candidate of any other major party has circulated a petition and obtained the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination and has either qualified for the primary or been deemed the party’s nominee;

(4) If the only opponent or opponents of a participating candidate who is nominated for election to an office are eligible minor party candidates or eligible petitioning party candidates and no such eligible minor party candidate’s or eligible petitioning party candidate’s candidate committee has received a total amount of contributions of any type that is equal to or greater than the amount of the qualifying contributions that a candidate for such office is required to receive under section 9-704 to be eligible for grants from the Citizens’ Election Fund, the amount of the general election campaign grant for such participating candidate shall be sixty per cent of the applicable amount set forth in this section; and

(5) The amount of the primary grant or general election campaign grant for a qualified candidate committee shall be reduced, pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision, if such candidate committee has control and custody over lawn signs from any prior election or primary in the following applicable amount: (A) Five hundred or more lawn signs for the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (B) one hundred or more lawn signs for the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state senator, or (C) fifty or more lawn signs for the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state representative. If such qualified candidate committee has custody and control over lawn signs in the applicable amount, as described in this subdivision, the grant from the fund for the primary campaign or general election campaign, as applicable, for such qualified candidate committee shall be reduced as follows: (i) Two thousand five hundred dollars for the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) five hundred dollars for the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state senator, or (iii) two hundred fifty dollars for the qualified candidate committee of a candidate for the office of state representative. In no event shall such a reduction be made both to a qualified candidate committee’s primary campaign grant and to such candidate committee’s general election grant. No reduction in either the primary campaign or general election campaign for a qualified candidate committee’s grant shall be taken for any lawn sign that is not in the custody or control of the qualified candidate committee. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to apply to any item other than lawn signs.

Sec. 9-706. Grant applications and payment. (a)(1) A participating candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens’ Election Program for a primary campaign, after the close of the state convention of the candidate’s party that is called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for the office that the candidate is seeking, if a primary is required under chapter 153, and (A) said party endorses the candidate for the office that the candidate is seeking, (B) the candidate is seeking nomination to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative and receives at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for the office the candidate is seeking, or (C) the candidate circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for (i) the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative, pursuant to section 9-400, or (ii) the municipal office of state senator or state representative, pursuant to section 9-406, whichever is applicable. The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall make any such grants to participating candidates in accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) to (g), inclusive, of this section.

(2) A participating candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative in 2008, or thereafter, or the office of Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer in 2010, or thereafter, may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens’ Election Program for a general election campaign:

(A) After the close of the state or district convention or municipal caucus, convention or town committee meeting, whichever is applicable, of the candidate’s party that is called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for the office that the candidate is seeking, if (i) said party endorses said candidate for the office that the candidate is seeking and no other candidate of said party files a candidacy with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400 or 9-406, whichever is applicable, (ii) the candidate is seeking election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative and receives at least fifteen per cent of the votes of the convention delegates present and voting on any roll-call vote taken on the endorsement or proposed endorsement of a candidate for the office the candidate is seeking, no other candidate for said office at such convention either receives the party endorsement or said percentage of said votes for said endorsement or files a certificate of endorsement with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-388 or a candidacy with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400, and no other candidate for said office circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for said office pursuant to section 9-400, (iii) the candidate is seeking election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or the district office of state senator or state representative, circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for said office pursuant to section 9-400 and no other candidate for said office at the state or district convention either receives the party endorsement or said percentage of said votes for said endorsement or files a certificate of endorsement with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-388 or a candidacy with the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-400, or (iv) the candidate is seeking election to the municipal office of state senator or state representative, circulates a petition and obtains the required number of signatures for filing a candidacy for nomination for the office the candidate is seeking pursuant to section 9-406 and no other candidate for said office at the caucus, convention or town committee meeting either receives the party endorsement or files a certification of endorsement with the town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section 9-391;

(B) After any primary held by such party for nomination for said office, if the Secretary of the State declares that the candidate is the party nominee in accordance with the provisions of section 9-440;

(C) In the case of a minor party candidate, after the nomination of such candidate is certified and filed with the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-452; or

(D) In the case of a petitioning party candidate, after approval by the Secretary of the State of such candidate’s nominating petition pursuant to section 9-453o.

(3) A participating candidate for nomination to the office of state senator or state representative at a special election in 2008, or thereafter, may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens’ Election Program for a general election campaign after the close of the district convention or municipal caucus, convention or town committee meeting of the candidate’s party that is called for the purpose of choosing candidates for nomination for the office that the candidate is seeking.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, no participating candidate for nomination or election who changes the candidate’s status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate or becomes a candidate of a different party, after filing the affidavit required under section 9-703, shall be eligible to apply for a grant under the Citizens’ Election Program for such candidate’s primary campaign for such nomination or general election campaign for such election. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply in the case of a candidate who is nominated by more than one party and does not otherwise change the candidate’s status as a major party, minor party or petitioning party candidate.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, no candidate may apply to the State Elections Enforcement Commission for a grant from the fund under the Citizens’ Election Program if such candidate has been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, in a court of competent jurisdiction, any (A) criminal offense under this title unless at least eight years have elapsed from the date of the conviction or plea or the completion of any sentence, whichever date is later, without a subsequent conviction of or plea to another such offense, or (B) a felony related to the individual’s public office, other than an offense under this title in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.

(b) The application shall include a written certification that:

(1) The candidate committee has received the required amount of qualifying contributions;

(2) The candidate committee has repaid all moneys borrowed on behalf of the campaign, as required by subsection (b) of section 9-710;

(3) The candidate committee has returned any contribution of five dollars or more from an individual who does not include the individual’s name and address with the contribution;

(4) The candidate committee has returned all contributions or portions of contributions that do not meet the criteria for qualifying contributions under section 9-704 and transmitted all excess qualifying contributions to the Citizens’ Election Fund;

(5) The treasurer of the candidate committee will: (A) Comply with the provisions of chapter 155 and this chapter, and (B) maintain and furnish all records required pursuant to chapter 155 and this chapter and any regulation adopted pursuant to such chapters;

(6) All moneys received from the Citizens’ Election Fund will be deposited upon receipt into the depository account of the candidate committee;

(7) The treasurer of the candidate committee will expend all moneys received from the fund in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of section 9-607 and regulations adopted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission under subsection (e) of this section;

(8) If the candidate withdraws from the campaign, becomes ineligible or dies during the campaign, the candidate committee of the candidate will return to the commission, for deposit in the fund, all moneys received from the fund pursuant to sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, which said candidate committee has not spent as of the date of such occurrence;

(9) All outstanding civil penalties or forfeitures assessed pursuant to chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, against the current or any former committee of the candidate have been paid, provided (A) in the case of any candidate seeking nomination for or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, any such penalty or forfeiture was assessed not later than twenty-four months prior to the submission of an application pursuant to this section; or (B) in the case of any candidate seeking nomination for or election to the office of state senator or state representative, any such penalty or forfeiture was assessed not later than twelve months prior to the submission of an application pursuant to this section;

(10) The treasurer has paid any civil penalties or forfeitures assessed pursuant to chapters 155 to 157, inclusive, and has not been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, in a court of competent jurisdiction, any (A) felony involving fraud, forgery, larceny, embezzlement or bribery, or (B) criminal offense under this title, unless at least eight years have elapsed from the date of the conviction or plea or the completion of any sentence, whichever date is later, without a subsequent conviction of or plea to another such felony or offense;

(11) The candidate has not been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, in a court of competent jurisdiction, a criminal offense under this title unless at least eight years have elapsed from the date of the conviction or plea or the completion of any sentence, whichever date is later, without a subsequent conviction of or plea to another such offense; and

(12) The candidate has never been convicted of or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, in a court of competent jurisdiction, a felony related to the individual’s public office, other than a criminal offense under this title in accordance with subdivision (11) of this subsection.

(c) The application shall be accompanied by a cumulative itemized accounting of all funds received, expenditures made and expenses incurred but not yet paid by the candidate committee as of three days preceding the day the application is filed. Such accounting shall be sworn to under penalty of false statement by the treasurer of the candidate committee. The commission shall prescribe the form of the application and the cumulative itemized accounting. The form for such accounting shall conform to the requirements of section 9-608. Both the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate committee shall sign the application.

(d) In accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, the commission shall review the application, determine whether (1) the candidate committee for the applicant has received the required qualifying contributions, (2) in the case of an application for a grant from the fund for a primary campaign, the applicant has met the applicable condition under subsection (a) of this section for applying for such grant and complied with the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, (3) in the case of an application for a grant from the fund for a general election campaign, the applicant has met the applicable condition under subsection (a) of this section for applying for such moneys and complied with the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, and (4) in the case of an application by a minor party or petitioning party candidate for a grant from the fund for a general election campaign, the applicant qualifies as an eligible minor party candidate or an eligible petitioning party candidate, whichever is applicable. If the commission approves an application, the commission shall determine the amount of the grant payable to the candidate committee for the applicant pursuant to section 9-705 from the fund, and notify the State Comptroller and the candidate of such candidate committee, of such amount. If the timing of the commission’s approval of the grant in relation to the Secretary of the State’s determination of ballot status is such that the commission cannot determine whether the qualified candidate committee is entitled to the applicable full initial grant for the primary or election or the applicable partial grant for the primary or election, as the case may be, the commission shall approve the lesser applicable partial initial grant. The commission shall then authorize the payment of the remaining portion of the applicable grant after the commission has knowledge of the circumstances regarding the ballot status of the opposing candidates in such primary or election. Not later than two business days following notification by the commission, the State Comptroller shall draw an order on the State Treasurer for payment of any such approved amount to the qualified candidate committee from the fund.

(e) The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, on permissible expenditures under subsection (g) of section 9-607 for qualified candidate committees receiving grants from the fund under sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive.

(f) If a nominated participating candidate dies, withdraws the candidate’s candidacy or becomes disqualified to hold the office for which the candidate has been nominated after the commission approves the candidate’s application for a grant under this section, the candidate committee of the candidate who is nominated to replace said candidate pursuant to section 9-460 shall be eligible to receive grants from the fund without complying with the provisions of section 9-704, if said replacement candidate files an affidavit under section 9-703 certifying the candidate’s intent to abide by the expenditure limits set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702 and notifies the commission on a form prescribed by the commission.

(g) (1) Any application submitted pursuant to this section for a primary or general election shall be submitted in accordance with the following schedule: (A) By five o’clock p.m. on the third Wednesday in May of the year that the primary or election will be held at which such participating candidate will seek nomination or election, or (B) by five o’clock p.m. on any subsequent Wednesday of such year, provided no application shall be accepted by the commission after five o’clock p.m. on or after the fourth to last Friday prior to the primary or election at which such participating candidate will seek nomination or election. Not later than five business days following any such Wednesday or Friday, as applicable, for participating candidates seeking nomination or election to the office of state senator or state representative, or ten business days following any such Wednesday or Friday, as applicable, for participating candidates seeking nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State or, in the event of a national, regional or local emergency or local natural disaster, as soon thereafter as is practicable, the commission shall review any application received by such Wednesday or Friday, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, and determine whether such application shall be approved or disapproved. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, if an application for a general election grant is received during the period beginning at five o’clock p.m. on the Wednesday of the week preceding the week of the last primary application deadline and ending five o’clock p.m. on the last primary application deadline, as set forth in this subsection, the commission shall review such application in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section and determine whether it shall be approved or disapproved not later than five business days or ten business days, as applicable, after the first application deadline following the last primary application deadline. For any such application that is approved, any disbursement of funds by the commission shall be made not later than twelve business days prior to any such primary or general election. From the third week of June in even-numbered years until the third week in July, the commission shall meet twice weekly to determine whether or not to approve applications for grants if there are pending grant applications.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, no application for a special election shall be accepted by the commission after five o’clock p.m. on or after ten business days prior to the special election at which such participating candidate will seek election. Not later than three business days following such deadline, or, in the event of a national, regional or local emergency or local natural disaster, as soon thereafter as practicable, the commission shall review any such application received by such deadline, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, and determine whether such application shall be approved or disapproved. For any such application that is approved, any disbursement of funds by the commission shall be made not later than seven business days prior to any such special election.

(3) The commission shall publish such application review schedules and meeting schedules on the commission’s web site and with the Secretary of the State.

Sec. 9-707. Limit on deposits into depository account of a qualified candidate committee. Following the initial deposit of moneys from the Citizens’ Election Fund into the depository account of a qualified candidate committee, no contribution, loan, amount of the candidate’s own moneys or any other moneys received by the candidate or the treasurer on behalf of the committee shall be deposited into said depository account, except grants from the fund, and reimbursement from another candidate committee for shared expenses as provided pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-610.

Sec. 9-708. Payment of general election campaign grant to eligible qualified candidate committee. A qualified candidate committee that received moneys from the Citizens’ Election Fund for a primary campaign and whose candidate is the party nominee shall receive a grant from the fund for a general election campaign. Upon receiving verification from the Secretary of the State of the declaration by the Secretary of the State in accordance with the provisions of section 9-440 of the results of the votes cast at the primary, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall notify the State Comptroller of the amount payable to such qualified candidate committee pursuant to section 9-705. Not later than two business days following notification by the commission, the State Comptroller shall draw an order on the State Treasurer for payment of the general election campaign grant to said committee from said fund.

Sec. 9-709. Joint campaigning by candidates for offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. (a) For purposes of this section, expenditures made to aid or promote the success of both a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor and a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor jointly, shall be considered expenditures made to aid or promote the success of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor. The party-endorsed candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor and the party-endorsed candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor shall be deemed to be aiding or promoting the success of both candidates jointly upon the earliest of the following: (1) The primary, whether held for the office of Governor, the office of Lieutenant Governor, or both; (2) if no primary is held for the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor, the fourteenth day following the close of the convention; or (3) a declaration by the party-endorsed candidates that they will campaign jointly. Any other candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor shall be deemed to be aiding or promoting the success of such candidacy for the office of Lieutenant Governor and the success of a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor jointly upon a declaration by the candidates that they shall campaign jointly.

(b) If a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor is campaigning jointly with a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, the candidate committee and any exploratory committee for the candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor shall be dissolved as of the applicable date set forth in subsection (a) of this section. Not later than fifteen days after said date, the treasurer of the candidate committee formed to aid or promote the success of said candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor shall file a statement with the proper authority under section 9-603, identifying all contributions received or expenditures made by the committee since the previous statement and the balance on hand or deficit, as the case may be. Not later than thirty days after the applicable date set forth in subsection (a) of this section, (1) the treasurer of a qualified candidate committee formed to aid or promote the success of said candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor shall distribute any surplus to the fund, and (2) the treasurer of a nonqualified candidate committee formed to aid or promote the success of said candidate for nomination or election to the office of Lieutenant Governor shall distribute such surplus in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of section 9-608.

Sec. 9-710. Loans and personal funds for campaigns. Limits. (a) The candidate committee for a candidate who intends to participate in the Citizens’ Election Program may borrow moneys on behalf of a campaign for a primary or a general election from one or more financial institutions, as defined in section 36a-41, in an aggregate amount not to exceed one thousand dollars. The amount borrowed shall not constitute a qualifying contribution under section 9-704. No individual, political committee or party committee, except the candidate or, in a general election, the state central committee of a political party, shall endorse or guarantee such a loan in an aggregate amount in excess of five hundred dollars. An endorsement or guarantee of such a loan shall constitute a contribution by such individual or committee for as long as the loan is outstanding. The amount endorsed or guaranteed by such individual or committee shall cease to constitute a contribution upon repayment of the amount endorsed or guaranteed.

(b) All such loans shall be repaid in full prior to the date such candidate committee applies for a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund pursuant to section 9-706. A candidate who fails to repay such loans or fails to certify such repayment to the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall not be eligible to receive and shall not receive grants from the fund.

(c) A candidate who intends to participate in the Citizens’ Election Program may provide personal funds for such candidate’s campaign for nomination or election in an amount not exceeding: (1) For a candidate for the office of Governor, twenty thousand dollars; (2) for a candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, State Treasurer or Secretary of the State, ten thousand dollars; (3) for a candidate for the office of state senator, two thousand dollars; or (4) for a candidate for the office of state representative, one thousand dollars. Such personal funds shall not constitute a qualifying contribution under section 9-704.

Sec. 9-711. Excess expenditures: Penalties. (a) If an expenditure in excess of the applicable expenditure limit set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702 is made or incurred by a qualified candidate committee that receives a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund pursuant to section 9-706, (1) the candidate and treasurer of said committee shall be jointly and severally liable for paying for the excess expenditure, (2) the committee shall not receive any additional grants or moneys from the fund for the remainder of the election cycle if the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that the candidate or treasurer of said committee had knowledge of the excess expenditure, (3) the treasurer shall be subject to penalties under section 9-7b, and (4) the candidate of said candidate committee shall be deemed to be a nonparticipating candidate for the purposes of sections 9-700 to 9-716, inclusive, if the commission determines that the candidate or treasurer of said committee had knowledge of the excess expenditure. The commission may waive the provisions of this subsection upon determining that an excess expenditure is de minimis. The commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing standards for making such determinations. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, a finding by the commission that the candidate or treasurer has, from the candidate’s or treasurer’s personal funds, either paid the excess expenditure or reimbursed the qualified candidate committee for its payment of the excess expenditure.

(b) If an individual, who is associated with the campaign of a candidate whose qualified candidate committee has received a grant from the Citizens’ Election Fund pursuant to section 9-706, makes or incurs an expenditure in excess of the applicable expenditure limit set forth in subsection (c) of section 9-702 for said committee, without the consent of the candidate or treasurer of the committee, the individual shall (1) repay to the fund the amount of such excess expenditure, and (2) shall be subject to penalties under section 9-7b. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an individual who is the candidate or the treasurer of such committee.

Sec. 9-712. Supplemental statements. Declaration of excess expenditures statement. (a)(1) The treasurer of each candidate committee in a primary campaign or a general election campaign in which there is at least one participating candidate shall file weekly supplemental campaign finance statements with the commission in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection. Such weekly statements shall be in lieu of the campaign finance statements due pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-608.

(2) Each such treasurer shall file weekly supplemental campaign finance statements with the commission pursuant to the following schedule: (A) In the case of a primary campaign, on the second Thursday following the date in July on which treasurers are required to file campaign finance statements pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-608 and each Thursday thereafter up to and including the Thursday before the day of the primary, and (B) in the case of a general election campaign, on the second Thursday following the date in October on which candidates are required to file campaign finance statements pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-608 and each Thursday thereafter up to and including the Thursday before the day of the election. The statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. of the second day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover the period beginning with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, if a participating candidate committee in a primary campaign or a general election campaign in which there is at least one participating candidate makes expenditures or incurs an obligation to make expenditures that, in the aggregate, exceed one hundred per cent of the applicable expenditure limit for the applicable primary or general election campaign period, the treasurer of any such candidate committee shall file a declaration of excess expenditures statement with the commission, pursuant to the following schedule: (A) If a candidate committee makes expenditures or incurs an obligation to make such expenditures more than twenty days before the day of such primary or election, the treasurer of such candidate shall file such statement with the commission not later than forty-eight hours after making such expenditures or incurring an obligation to make such expenditures, and (B) if a candidate committee makes such expenditures or incurs an obligation to make such expenditures twenty days or less before the day of such primary or election, the treasurer of such candidate shall file such statement with the commission not later than twenty-four hours after making such expenditures or incurring an obligation to make such expenditures. The statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. of the first day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover a period beginning with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the statements required to be filed pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not be required to be filed by (A) a candidate committee of a candidate that is exempt from filing campaign finance statements pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-608 unless or until such a candidate committee receives or expends an amount in excess of one thousand dollars for purposes of the primary or election for which such committee was formed, (B) a candidate committee of a candidate who is no longer eligible for a position on the ballot, or (C) a candidate committee of a participating candidate that is unopposed, except that such candidate committee shall file a supplemental statement on the last Thursday before the applicable primary or general election. Such statement shall be complete as of eleven fifty-nine o’clock p.m. of the second day immediately preceding the required filing day. The statement shall cover a period beginning with the first day not included in the last filed statement.

(5) Each supplemental statement required under subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of this subsection for a candidate shall disclose the information required under subsection (c) of section 9-608. The commission shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, specifying permissible media for the transmission of such statements to the commission, which shall include electronic filing.

(b) (1) As used in this section, “excess expenditure” means an expenditure made, or obligated to be made, by a nonparticipating or a participating candidate who is opposed by one or more other participating candidates in a primary campaign or a general election campaign, which is in excess of the amount of the applicable limit on expenditures for said participating candidates for said campaign and which is the sum of (A) the applicable qualifying contributions that the participating candidate is required to receive under section 9-704 to be eligible for grants from the Citizens’ Election Fund, and (B) one hundred per cent of the applicable full grant amount for a major party candidate authorized under section 9-705 for the applicable campaign period.

(2) The commission shall confirm whether an expenditure described in a declaration filed under this subsection is an excess expenditure.

(c) If a treasurer fails to file any statement or declaration required by this section within the time required, said treasurer shall be subject to a civil penalty, imposed by the commission, of not more than one thousand dollars for the first failure to file the statement within the time required and not more than five thousand dollars for any subsequent such failure.

Secs. 9-713 and 9-714. Excess expenditures: Payment of additional moneys to opposing participating candidates. Independent expenditures: Payment of additional matching moneys to participating candidates.Sections 9-713 and 9-714 are repealed, effective August 13, 2010.

Sec. 9-715. Voter registration lists for participating candidates. The Secretary of the State shall provide to each participating candidate a copy of the voter registration list for the state or the applicable district, which is generated from the state-wide centralized voter registration system established pursuant to the plan authorized under section 1 of special act 91-45 and completed pursuant to section 9-50b. The Secretary shall provide the copy in electronic format, free of charge.

Sec. 9-716. Report on status of Citizens’ Election Fund. Determination of fund sufficiency. Reserve account. (a) Not later than June 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall issue a report on the status of the Citizens’ Election Fund during the previous calendar year. Such report shall include the amount of moneys deposited in the fund, the sources of moneys received by category, the number of contributions, the number of contributors, the amount of moneys expended by category, the recipients of moneys distributed from the fund and an accounting of the costs incurred by the commission in administering the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Not later than January first in any year in which a state election is to be held, the commission shall determine whether the amount of moneys in the fund is sufficient to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The commission shall issue a report on said determination.

(c) The commission shall establish a reserve account in the fund. The first twenty-five thousand dollars deposited in the fund during any year shall be placed in said account. The commission shall use moneys in the reserve account only during the seven days preceding a primary or an election for payments of grants pursuant to the provisions of this chapter if the fund is otherwise insufficient for the purposes of making such payments.

Sec. 9-717. Severability. (a) Each section, subsection, subdivision, subparagraph, clause, provision or portion of public act 05-5 of the October 25 special session* or any subsequent amendment to any such section, subsection, subdivision, subparagraph, clause, provision or portion of said public act shall be construed as separable and severable from all other sections, subsections, subdivisions, subparagraphs, clauses, provisions or portions of said public act. If any provision of said public act, as amended, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of said public act, as amended.

(b) Any candidate who has received any funds pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and sections 1-100b, 9-750, 9-751 and 9-760 and section 49 of public act 05-5 of the October 25 special session** prior to any prohibition or limitation on the expenditure of funds from the Citizens’ Election Fund taking effect may retain and expend such funds in accordance with this chapter and said sections.

Sec. 9-718. Organization expenditure by town committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee for state senator or state representative. Limit for general election and primary campaign. Biennial adjustment to limits. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes and except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, no town committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make an organization expenditure for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens’ Election Program for the office of state senator in an amount that exceeds ten thousand dollars for the general election campaign.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes no party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make an organization expenditure for the purposes described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (25) of section 9-601 for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens’ Election Program for the office of state senator for the primary campaign.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes and except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, no town committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make an organization expenditure for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens’ Election Program for the office of state representative in an amount that exceeds three thousand five hundred dollars for the general election campaign.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, no party committee, legislative caucus committee or legislative leadership committee shall make an organization expenditure for the purposes described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (25) of section 9-601 for the benefit of a participating candidate or the candidate committee of a participating candidate in the Citizens’ Election Program for the office of state representative for the primary campaign.

(e) For any election held in 2014, and thereafter, the amount of the limitations on organization expenditures provided in subsections (a) and (c) of this section shall be adjusted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission not later than January 15, 2014, and biennially thereafter, in accordance with any change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the period beginning on January 1, 2010, and ending on December thirty-first in the year preceding the year in which said adjustment is to be made.

Sec. 9-719. Grant amounts and expenditures: Analysis; report. (a) After each general election, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall compile and analyze the following:

(1) The amount of grants made during the election cycle from the Citizens’ Election Fund established under section 9-701;

(2) The amount of expenditures reported by each candidate participating in the Citizens’ Election Program established under section 9-702 and by each candidate not participating in the program during the election cycle;

(3) The amount of money returned to the Citizens’ Election Fund during the election cycle by each candidate;

(4) The overall and average amounts of spending for each election contest for each office during the election cycle; and

(5) The amount of independent expenditures for each election contest for each office during the election cycle.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2012, and biennially thereafter, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall report its analysis conducted under subsection (a) of this section and any recommendations for adjustments to grant amounts under the Citizens’ Election Program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

Secs. 9-720 to 9-749. Reserved for future use.

PART II

FUNDING

Sec. 9-750. Portion of revenues from tax under chapter 208 to be deposited in Citizens’ Election Fund if insufficiency in fund. Deduction from amount deposited. (a) If, (1) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, or any fiscal year thereafter, the amount of funds available under section 3-69a for deposit in the Citizens’ Election Fund established in section 9-701 is less than the amount of funds required under said section 3-69a to be deposited in said fund, resulting in an insufficiency in the amount of the deposit, or (2) during an election cycle the amount of funds in the Citizens’ Election Fund is less than the amount of funds required to provide grants to each qualified candidate committee pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, resulting in an insufficiency in said fund, a portion of the revenues from the tax imposed under chapter 208, equal to the amount of any insufficiency described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this section, shall be deposited in said fund to allow for the payment of grants pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3-69a, if funds are deposited into the Citizens’ Election Fund pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, the aggregate amount of any such deposits shall be deducted from the amount deposited into said fund under section 3-69a for the following fiscal year.

Sec. 9-751. Contributions to Citizens’ Election Fund. Any person, business entity, organization, party committee or political committee, as such terms are defined in section 9-601, may contribute to the Citizens’ Election Fund established in section 9-701. Any such contribution shall be made by check or money order. The State Elections Enforcement Commission shall immediately transmit all contributions received pursuant to this section to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Citizens’ Election Fund.

Secs. 9-752 to 9-759. Reserved for future use.

Chapter 158 – Public Financing for Municipal Elections

CHAPTER 158 – PUBLIC FINANCING FOR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Sec. 9-760. Pilot program for public financing of campaigns of candidates for certain municipal offices. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7-192a, the State Elections Enforcement Commission shall establish a pilot program for the public financing of campaigns of candidates for the municipal offices of chief executive officer, municipal clerk and legislative body member, who agree to limit campaign fund-raising and expenditures, at a municipal election in not more than three municipalities. The commission shall establish an application procedure for the program and criteria for the selection of municipalities. The commission shall not select a municipality to participate in the program unless the legislative body of the municipality or, in the case of a municipality in which the legislative body is a town meeting, the board of selectmen, consents to such participation. Each municipality selected to participate shall submit an implementation plan to the commission, for its approval. Public financing under said program shall not be deemed to be public funds for the purposes of subsection (d) of section 9-610. A candidate for any such municipal office who decides not to participate in such program shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 155.