Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 2 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 393 — AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES DUE TO THE DEATH OF CERTAIN ELECTED OFFICIALS.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 02, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on June 04, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill sets rules for special elections to fill vacancies from elected officials' deaths.

This legislation establishes procedures for conducting special elections when an elected official dies. It aims to ensure that vacancies are filled promptly and efficiently.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

133 added · 205 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill SB 393 outline how the state will handle vacancies for U.S. Senators. Notably, the timeframe for issuing election writs has been clarified, with specific guidelines for when a vacancy occurs due to a senator's death and during election seasons. This matters because it ensures a more streamlined and timely process for filling such important positions, helping to maintain representation in Congress. Overall, these adjustments aim to create clarity and efficiency in the electoral process for filling Senate vacancies.

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Senate General Assembly File No.
Substitute Senate Bill No.
563 February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No.
393 Public Act No.
393 Senate, April 9, 2026 The Committee on Government Administration and Elections reported through SEN.
26-86 AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES DUE TO THE DEATH OF CERTAIN ELECTED OFFICIALS.
FLEXER of the 29th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES DUE TO THE DEATH OF CERTAIN ELECTED OFFICIALS.
(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), (3) and (4) of this subsection, if such a vacancy occurs due to the death of the senator in Congress, the Governor shall issue such writs not less than seven days after such sSB393 / File No.
(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), (3) and (4) of this subsection, if such a vacancy occurs due to the death of the senator in Congress, the Governor shall issue such writs not less than seven days after such occurrence and not more than seventeen days after such occurrence, (2) except as provided in subdivisions [(2) and (3)] (3) and (4) 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 Substitute Senate Bill No.
563 1 sSB393 File No.
393 such writs that order an election to be held on the day of such regular election, [(2)] (3) except as provided in subdivision [(3)] (4) 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.
563 occurrence and not more than seventeen days after such occurrence, (2) except as provided in subdivisions [(2) and (3)] (3) and (4) 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)] (3) except as provided in subdivision [(3)] (4) 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.
(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 issueofsuch writsona day,otherthanaSaturday orSunday,to fillsuch vacancy, provided (1) except as provided in subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection, if such a vacancy occurs due to the death of the representative in Congress, the Governor shall issue such writs not less thansevendaysaftersuchoccurrenceandnotmorethanseventeendays sSB393 / File No.
(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 issueofsuch writsona day,otherthanaSaturday orSunday,to fillsuch vacancy, provided (1) except as provided in subdivisions (2), (3) and (4) of this subsection, if such a vacancy occurs due to the death of the representative in Congress, the Governor shall issue such writs not less thansevendaysaftersuchoccurrenceandnotmorethanseventeendays after such occurrence, (2) if such a vacancy occurs between the one hundred twenty-fifth day and the sixty-third day before the day of a Public Act No.
563 2 sSB393 File No.
26-86 2 of 5 Substitute Senate Bill No.
563 after such occurrence, (2) 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)] (3) 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)] (4) if a primary for suchoffice occurspursuant to subdivision(3)ofsubsection(b) ofsection 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.
393 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)] (3) 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)] (4) if a primary for suchoffice occurspursuant to subdivision(3)ofsubsection(b) ofsection 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.
If such a vacancyoccursbetweentheonehundredtwenty-fifthdayandtheforty- 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 sSB393 / File No.
If such a vacancyoccursbetweentheonehundredtwenty-fifthdayandtheforty- 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 Public Act No.
563 3 sSB393 File No.
26-86 3 of 5 Substitute Senate Bill No.
563 election to be held on the day of such regular election.
393 forty-sixth day before the day of such regular election, ordering an election to be held on the day of such regular election.
Section 9-218 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing is substituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):
Section 9-218 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed andthefollowing issubstituted inlieuthereof(EffectiveOctober 1, 2026):
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, Treasurer and Comptroller Public Act No.
The Secretary oftheState shall enter thereturns sSB393 / File No.
26-86 4 of 5 Substitute Senate Bill No.
563 4 sSB393 File No.
393 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.
563 intabularforminbookskeptbyhimforthatpurposeandpresentacopy 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 Secretary oftheState shall enter thereturns intabularforminbookskeptbyhimforthatpurposeandpresentacopy 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.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Governor's Action:
Section 1 October 1, 2026 9-211(a) Sec.
Approved June 4, 2026 Public Act No.
2 October 1, 2026 9-212(a) Sec.
26-86 5 of 5
3 October 1, 2026 9-215(b) Sec.
4 October 1, 2026 9-218 Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
The provisions of Section 3 were rewritten for clarity.
GAE Joint Favorable Subst.
-LCO sSB393 / File No.
563 5 sSB393 File No.
563 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill shifts when the Governor may issue writs of election for a special election due to the death of certain elected officials or members- elect, resulting in no fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
The Out Years State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None sSB393 / File No.
563 6 sSB393 File No.
563 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 393 AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO FILL VACANCIES DUE TO THE DEATH OF CERTAIN ELECTED OFFICIALS.
SUMMARY This bill delays when the governor may issue a writ calling for a special election to fill vacancies in certain offices due to the death of the elected official or member elect.
Show all 56 changed rows (16 more)
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The bill maintains the existing timeline for vacancies created for other reasons, such as resignations.
Under current law, the governor generally must issue these writs within 10 days after a vacancy in the office of U.S.
senator, U.S.
representative, or General Assembly member.
Under the bill, he must instead do so between seven and 17 days after the death occurred, subject to certain existing exceptions unchanged by the bill (see BACKGROUND).
For probate judge vacancies created due to the judge’s death, the bill requires the governor to wait at least seven days after the death before issuing the writ, if he chooses to do so (§ 4).
State law gives the governor discretion to call a special election to fill a probate court vacancy and does not currently set a timeline for issuing these writs.
The bill also makes technical changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2026 BACKGROUND Special Writ Exceptions In certain circumstances, the law directs when the (1) governor must issue a special writ and (2) special election must occur.
For example, for GeneralAssembly vacanciescreatedbetween49and125daysbeforethe sSB393 / File No.
563 7 sSB393 File No.
563 next regular election, special election writs must be issued 46 days before that regular election and the special election must be held to coincide withit.The lawhassimilarprovisionsforcongressionaloffices.
The law also directs the governor to not issue special writs for congressional or state legislative offices if the vacancy is created within a certain period before the upcoming regular election for that office, in which case the vacancy is filled then.
COMMITTEE ACTION Government Administration and Elections Committee Joint Favorable Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/20/2026) sSB393 / File No.
563 8
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill modifies the procedures for special elections to fill vacancies in Congress and other elected offices in Connecticut.

  • Section 9-211

    [(2) and (3)] → (3) and (4)

    It updates the reference to clarify subsections related to the timing of elections.

  • Section 9-212

    [(2)] → (3)

    It clarifies the sequence of subdivisions for issuing writs for elections.

  • Section 9-215

    [When any such vacancy occurs, except as provided in this section] → Except as otherwise provided in this section

    It removes unnecessary wording for clarity regarding vacancy occurrences.

  • Section 9-215

    [, within tendaysafteritsoccurrence,]

    It eliminates redundant text regarding the timing for issuing writs.

  • Section 9-218

    [When] → Except as otherwise provided in this section, when

    It adds a clarification to the circumstances under which the Governor may issue writs for vacancies.

Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 26-86

  5. IN CONCURRENCE

  6. HOUSE PASSED

  7. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 464

  8. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  9. SENATE PASSED

  10. FILE NO. 563

  11. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 329

  12. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  13. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  14. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/26

  15. FILED WITH LCO

  16. Joint Favorable

  17. PUBLIC HEARING 0313

  18. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 184 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (184)

184 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

elections
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 393?
SB 393 is sponsored by Tom Delnicki (Republican), Nick Gauthier (Democratic), and Rob Sampson (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 393?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced March 02, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 393?
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