SB 491 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING.

Such581 requirementprimary shallor referendum, not applyincluding to]applications Nodistributed personto shall receive any absentee ballot application for the purpose of distributing such applicationperson'simmediatefamily.Suchrequirementshallnotapplyto toaperson another person, except for (A) a person who is the designee of an applicant,applicant [oror to]to (B) any employee of the Department of Correction who provides the application for absentee ballot form prescribed under subsection (c) of section 9-139a, as amended by this act, to one or more incarcerated absentee ballot applicants,and(C)apersonwhoreceivesfewerthanfiveabsenteeballotapplicants. applications for the purpose of distributing such applications to members of such person's immediate family.

The municipal clerk shall maintain a log of all applications of incarcerated absentee ballot applicants received by such municipal clerk, which log shall indicate the name and address of each applicant, the date of receipt of each application and the date such municipal clerk LCOmailed No.the absentee ballot to such applicant or the reason why such application was rejected.

3082(3) 10Any ofperson 43who Raiseddistributes Billabsentee No.491ballot mailedapplications theshall maintaina list ofthenamesandaddressesofprospective absentee ballot toapplicants who receive such applicantapplications, and shall file such list with the municipal clerk prior to the date of the primary, election or referendum for which the reasonapplications whywere so distributed, except that such requirements shall not apply to any employee of the Department of Correction who provides the application wasfor rejected.absentee ballot form prescribed under subsection (c) of section 9-139a, as amended by this act, to incarcerated absentee ballot applicants.

[(3) Any person who distributes absentee ballot applications shalland maintainareceives listan ofthenamesandaddressesofprospectiveexecuted absenteeapplication ballot applicants who receive such applications, and shall forthwith file suchthe listapplication with the municipal clerkclerk. prior to the date of the primary, election or referendum for which the applications were so distributed, except that such requirements shall not apply to any employee of the Department of Correction who provides the application for absentee ballot form prescribed under subsection (c) of section 9-139a to incarcerated absentee ballot applicants.

Any person who distributes absentee ballot applicationsandreceivesanexecuted applicationshallforthwithfilethe application with the municipal clerk.] (l) No candidate, party or political committee, or agent of such candidate or committee shall mail or deliver unsolicited applications for absentee ballots to any person.person, unless such [mailing includes] committee or agent includeswith suchmailing or delivery:(1)A written [explanation of the eligibility requirements for voting by absentee ballot sSB491 / File No.

[,581 unless10 suchsSB491 mailingFile includes:No.

(1)581 Aas writtenprescribed explanationin subsection (a) of thesection eligibility9-135] requirementsdisclaimer that such mailing or delivery was (A) paid for votingby such committee or agent, and (B) in the case of a candidate committee, approved by absenteethe ballotapplicable asprescribedinsubsection(a)ofsection9-135,and(2)awrittenwarningcandidate, thatvotingorand (2) a written [warning that voting or attempting tovotebyto absenteeballotvote by absentee ballot without meetingonemeeting one or more of such eligibility requirements subjects the elector or applicant to potential civil and criminal penalties.]penalties] Asexplanation usedof inthe thisvarious subsection,ways "agent"an meansabsentee anyballot personmay authorizedbe toreturned, actas onprovided behalfin subsection (a) of anothersection person.9-140b, as amended by this act.

As used in this subsection, "agent" means any person authorized to act on behalf of another person.

(n) The State Elections Enforcement Commission, in consultation LCOwith No.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.

3082 11 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 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.

Each absentee ballot applicant shall sign the form on the [inner] return envelope provided for in section 9-137, as amended by this act, whichsSB491 shall/ constituteFile aNo. statement under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting.

581 11 sSB491 File No.

581 which shall constitute a statement under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting.

LCOSec. No.

3082 12 of 43 Raised Bill No.

491 Sec.

(a) (1) An absentee ballot shall be cast at a primary, election or referendum only if:

[(1)](1) (A)[It] ItSuch ballot is mailed by [(A)](A) (i) the ballot applicant, [(B)](B) (ii) a designee of a person who applies for an absentee ballot because of illness or physical disability, or [(C)](C) (iii) a member of the immediate family of an applicant who is a student, so that it[it] the ballot is received by the clerk of the municipality in which the applicant is qualified to vote not later thantheclosethan ofthepolls;the close of the polls;

[(2)](B)subject to theprovisions of subdivision (2) of[it] thissuch subsection,ballot it is returned by the applicant in person to the[the] such clerk by the day before the election or primary or prior to the opening of the polls on the day of the referendum;

[(3)](3) (C)[it] subjectsuch toballot the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, it is returned by a designee of an ill or physically disabled ballot applicant, in person, to [said] thesuch clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum;

[(4)](4) (D)[it] subjectsuch toballot the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, it is returned by a member of thesSB491 immediate/ familyFile ofNo. the absentee voter, in person, to [said] the clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election, primary or referendum;

[(5)]581 (E)12 insSB491 theFile caseNo. of a presidential or overseas ballot, it is mailed or otherwise returned pursuant to the provisions of section 9- 158g, as amended by this act;

or581 [(6)]the (F)immediate itfamily isof returnedthe with[absentee voter] applicant, in person, to [said] such clerk not later than the properclose identificationof asthe requiredpolls byon the Helpday Americaof Votethe Act,election, P.L.primary or referendum;

107-252,(5) asin amendedthe fromcase timeof toa time,presidential ifor applicable,overseas [insertedballot, in[it] thesuch outerballot envelopesosuchidentificationcanbeviewedwithoutopeningtheinneris envelope]mailed inor accordanceotherwise withreturned thepursuant provisionstotheprovisionsofsection9-158g,asamendedbythisact;or(6)[it]such ofballot sectionis 9-140a,returned with the proper identification as amendedrequired by thisthe act.Help America Vote Act, P.L.

A107-252, personas returningamended anfrom absenteetime ballot to thetime, municipalif clerkapplicable, pursuant[inserted toin [subdivisionthe (3)outer orenvelope (4)so ofsuch this subsection] subparagraph (C) or (D) of this subdivision shall present identification and,can onbe theviewed [outer]without returnopening envelopeof the absenteeinner ballot,envelope] signin [his]accordance suchwith person's name in the presenceprovisions of thesection municipal9-140a, clerkas [,]amended andby indicatethis [his]act. such person's address [, his] and relationship to the voter or [his] LCO No.

3082A 13person returning an absentee ballot to the municipal clerk pursuant to subdivision (3) or (4) of 43this Raisedsubsection Billshall No.491present identification and, on the [outer] return envelope of the absentee ballot, sign [his] such person's name in the presence of the municipal clerk [,] and indicate [his] such person's address [, his] and relationship to the voter or [his] position [,]andthedate[,] andtimeand ofsuchreturn.the date and time of such return.

AnabsenteeAn absentee ballot shall be deemed cast when it is received and accepted by the municipal clerk in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, provided the statement on the return envelope for such absentee ballot is signed by the applicant.

(2) Not earlier than the day before the commencement of the period of early voting at an election, primary or referendum, the municipal clerkmaydirect individualswishingtoreturnabsenteeballotsinperson at the municipal clerk's office to instead deposit such ballots in a secure drop box designated by such clerk for such purpose, except in the case of a ballot returned pursuant to section 9-158g, as amended by this act.

Beginning the day before the commencement of the period of early voting at an election, primary or referendum and until the day before such election, primary or referendum, the municipal clerk may, at such clerk's discretion, accept absentee ballots returned in person at the municipal clerk's office.

(c) (1) For purposes of this section, "mailed" means (A) sent by the United States Postal Service or any commercial carrier, courier or messenger service recognized and approved by the Secretary of the State, or (B) deposited in a secure drop box designated by the municipal clerksSB491 for/ suchFile purpose,No. in accordance with instructions prescribed by the Secretary.

LCO581 13 sSB491 File No.

3082581 14clerk offor 43such Raisedpurpose, Bill No.491 (2) (A) In the case of absentee ballots mailed under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, beginning on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsectionaccordance (f)with ofinstructions sectionprescribed 9-140, as amended by this act, and on each [weekday] business day thereafter until the closeSecretary. of the polls at the election, primary or referendum, including at the close of the polls at such election, primary or referendum, the municipal clerk shall retrieve from the secure drop box described in said subparagraph each such ballot deposited in such drop box.

(2) (A) In the case of absentee ballots mailed under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection, beginning on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of section 9-140, as amended by this act, and on each [weekday] business day thereafter until the close of the polls at the election, primary or referendum, including at the close of the polls at such election, primary or referendum, the municipal clerk shall retrieve from the secure drop box described in said subparagraph each such ballot deposited in such drop box.

(d) No person shall have in [his] such person's possession any official absenteesSB491 ballot/ orFile ballot envelope for use at any primary, election or LCO No.

3082581 1514 ofsSB491 43File RaisedNo. Bill No.491 referendum except the applicant to whom it was issued, the Secretary of the State or [his or her] the Secretary's authorized agents, any official printer of absentee ballot forms and [his] such printer's 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.

581 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] the Secretary's authorized agents, any official printer of absentee ballot forms and [his] such printer's 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.

The[The] As the municipal clerk receives each absentee ballot, such clerk shall first make a record, for the purposes of subdivision (3) of this subsection, of each return envelope on which the applicant did not sign the statement and shall then endorse over [his] such clerk's signature,signature [,] upon each [outer] return envelope as[as [he]he such clerk receives it,it,] (A) the date and precise time of its receipt, and (B) the method of its receipt, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection.

The clerk shall make an affidavit attesting to the accuracy of all such endorsements [, and at the close of the polls] and shall deliver such affidavitsSB491 at/ theFile close of the polls to the head moderator, who shall endorse the time of its receipt and return it to the clerk after all counting iscomplete.Theclerkshallpreservetheaffidavitforonehundredeighty LCO No.

3082581 1615 ofsSB491 43File RaisedNo. Bill No.491 days in accordance with the requirements of section 9-150b, as amended by this act.

581 affidavit at the close of the polls to the head moderator, who shall endorse the time of its receipt and return it to the clerk after all counting iscomplete.Theclerkshallpreservetheaffidavitforonehundredeighty days in accordance with the requirements of section 9-150b, as amended by this act.

(3) (A) If the municipal clerk receives an absentee ballot without the statement on the return envelope signed by the applicant, such absentee ballot may be cured in person at the municipal clerk's office beginning on the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection(f)ofsection9-140,asamended by thisact,anduntiltheclose ofthepollsontheday oftheelection,primaryorreferendum.Aftersuch close of the polls, no such absentee ballot may be cured.

(B) In the case of any absentee ballot described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, the municipal clerk shall use best efforts to contact the affected voter as soon as possible, but in no case later than twenty- four hours after receiving the absentee ballot, for the purpose of curing suchballot pursuant tosaidsubparagraph.During theperiodbeginning sSB491 / File No.

581 16 sSB491 File No.

581 twenty-four hours prior to the closing of the polls and until such closing of the polls, the municipal clerk shall use best efforts to contact the affected voter for such purpose immediately upon receiving the absentee ballot.

The municipal clerk's best efforts shall include, but need not be limited to, contacting the affected voter by (i) calling the telephone number or numbers listed on the voter's absentee ballot application and voter registration, if the voter has provided any, and (ii) sending an electronic mail to the electronic mail address listed on the voter's absentee ballotapplication and voter registration, if thevoterhas provided any.

If the voter has provided neither a telephone number nor an electronic mail address, the municipal clerk shall exercise discretion in attempting to contact the voter by other means.

of [such][such day] the day oftheof the election, primary or referendum may be sorted into voting districts by the municipal clerk and checked as provided in this LCOsubsection. No.

3082 17 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 subsection.

of thesSB491 last/ dayFile beforeNo. the election, primary or referendum which is not a Sunday or legal holiday, shall be sorted into voting districts by the municipal clerk and checked as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection not later than such last day.

(c)581 If17 thesSB491 nameFile ofNo. 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] the return envelope the word "rejected", followed by a statement of the reasons for rejection, and [the outer] such return envelope shall not be opened [or the] nor shall such ballot be counted.

581 the last day before the election, primary or referendum which is not a Sunday or legal holiday, shall be sorted into voting districts by the municipal clerk and checked as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection not later than such last 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] the return envelope the word "rejected", followed by a statement of the reasons for rejection, and [the outer] such return envelope shall not be opened [or the ballot] nor shall such ballot be counted.

on the last day before the election, primary or referendum shall be delivered by the municipal LCOclerk No.to theregistrars [betweenteno'clock a.m.andtwelve o'clock noon] not later than seven o'clock a.m.

3082 18 of 43 Raised Bill No.

491 clerk to theregistrars [betweenteno'clock a.m.andtwelve o'clock noon] not later than seven o'clock a.m.

(f) Absentee ballots timely received by the municipal clerk after elevensSB491 o'clock/ a.m.File No.

581 18 sSB491 File No.

581 eleven o'clock a.m.

of such day which were not delivered earlier shall be LCOdeliveredtotheregistrarsatthecloseofthepollsforchecking.Although No.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.

3082 19 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 deliveredtotheregistrarsatthecloseofthepollsforchecking.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.

(B)sSB491 Whenever/ absenteeFile ballotsNo. 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.

581 19 sSB491 File No.

581 (B) Whenever 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.

LCO(B) No.Whenever 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.

3082(4) 20If the name of 43an Raisedapplicant Billreturning No.491a (B)ballot Wheneverhas been checked on the official checklist as having voted in person, the absentee ballotsballot arecounters countedshall, in anychecking pollingthe placeballots, pursuantendorse toon subsectionthe (b)face of sectionthe 9-147a,[outer] return envelope the officialword checklist"rejected" usedfollowed atby sucha pollingstatement placeof shallthe remainreason infor rejection, and [the outer] such pollingreturn placeenvelope forshall checkingnot bybe theopened absentee[or ballotthe countersballot] atnor shall such pollingballot place.be counted.

(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] return envelope the word "rejected" followed by a statement of the reason for rejection, and [the outer] such return envelope shall not be opened [or the] nor shall such ballot be counted.

(B) Whenever 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 atsSB491 such/ pollingFile placeNo. and the return required by section 9-150b, as amended by this act, to the head moderator.

581 20 sSB491 File No.

581 at such polling place and the return required by section 9-150b, as amended by this act, to the head moderator.

(l) The municipal clerk shall retain all [outer] return envelopes LCOcontaining No.absentee ballots received by [him] such clerk after the close of the polls, unopened, for the period prescribed in section 9-150b, as amended by this act.

3082 21 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 containing absentee ballots received by [him] such clerk after the close of the polls, unopened, for the period prescribed in section 9-150b, as amended by this act.

(NEW) (Effective Januaryfrom 1,passage) 2027) The Officeoffice of the Secretary of the State shall develop and install integrated ballot-tracking software with the state-wide centralized voter registration system described in section 9-50b of the general statutes, for use by electors who vote by absentee ballot.

(a) Any elector who [is permanently physically disabled or suffering fromsSB491 a/ long-termFile illnessNo. and who files an application for an absentee ballot with a certification from a primary care provider, indicating that suchelectorispermanentlyphysicallydisabledorsufferingfromalong- term illness and unable to appear in person at such elector's designated polling location, shall be eligible for] files an application for an absentee ballot may simultaneously request permanent absentee ballot status, in a space provided on such application for such purpose.

Each581 elector21 grantedsSB491 permanentFile absenteeNo. ballot status [and]shallreceive anabsentee ballot for each election, primary or referendum conducted in such elector's municipality for which such elector is eligible to vote.

581 from a long-term illness and who files an application for an absentee ballot with a certification from a primary care provider, indicating that suchelectorispermanentlyphysicallydisabledorsufferingfromalong- term illness and unable to appear in person at such elector's designated polling location, shall be eligible for] files an application for an absentee ballot may simultaneously request permanent absentee ballot status, in a space provided on such application for such purpose.

Each elector granted permanent absentee ballot status [and shall receive] shall be issued an absentee ballot for each election, primary or referendum conducted in such elector's municipality for which such elector is eligible to vote.

(1) Is removed from the official registryregistrylistofthemunicipality,(2)isremovedfrompermanentabsentee listballot status [pursuant to] in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, or (3) requests [that he or she] in writing to the LCOregistrar No.of voters that such elector no longer receive such permanent absentee ballot status.

3082(b) 22[The registrars of 43voters Raisedshall Billsend No.491written municipality,notice (2)to iseach removedsuch fromelector with permanent absentee ballot status pursuantin toJanuary theof provisionseach ofyear, subsectionon (b)a ofform thisprescribed section,by orthe (3)Secretary requestsof thatthe [heState, orfor she]the purpose of determining if such elector nocontinues longerto receivereside suchat the address indicated on the elector's permanent absentee ballot status.application.

(b) [The] Beginning January 1, 2028, the registrars of voters shall send writtennoticetoeachsuchelectorwithpermanentabsenteeballotstatus in [January of each year] such month, and biennially thereafter, 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.

Failure to return such written notice shall not result in the removal of an elector from the official registry list of the municipality or from permanent absentee ballot status.status.] An elector granted permanent absentee ballot status shall be removed from sSB491 / File No.

(c)581 The22 SecretarysSB491 ofFile theNo. State shall develop and conduct a state-wide public awareness mailing, beginning January 1, 2028, to educate the public regarding changes to the absentee voting process and the availability of permanent absentee ballot status.

The581 materialssuch comprisingsuchmailingshallalsobeincludedwithstatus eachabsenteeballotwhenever application(1) providedsuch byelector's absentee ballot is returned as undeliverable, (2) such elector submits a municipalchange clerkof address form for a move outside the state with the National Change of Address System of the United States Postal Service, (3) a registrar of voters of the municipality in 2028.which such elector previously resided receives information or data, used to maintain the state-wide centralized voter registration system under section 9-50c, that such elector has moved outside the state, (4) the Secretary of the State or a registrar of voters of the municipality in which such elector previously resided receives information under section 9-21 that such elector has registered to vote outside the state, or (5) such elector's name is placed on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35.

(c) The Secretary of the State shall develop and conduct a state-wide public awareness mailing, beginning as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section, to educate the public regarding changes to the absentee voting process and the availability of permanent absentee ballot status.

The Secretary shall make available to each municipal clerk the materials comprising such mailing and, on and after the day such materials are so made available, each municipal clerk shall include such materials with each absentee ballot application provided by such municipal clerk in 2026.

LCO(a) No.[The] Immediately after the opening of the polls on the day of an election, primary or referendum, 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.

3082 23 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 (a) [The] Immediately after the opening of the polls on the day of an election, primary or referendum, 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.

(c)sSB491 Except/ withFile respectNo. to ballots marked "Rejected" pursuant to section 9-140c, as amended by this act, or other applicable law, the counters shall remove the [inner envelopes] absentee ballots from the [outer] return envelopes, shall note the total number of absentee ballots received and shall report such total to the moderator.

581 23 sSB491 File No.

581 (c) Except with respect to ballots marked "Rejected" pursuant to section 9-140c, as amended by this act, or other applicable law, the counters shall remove the [inner envelopes] absentee ballots from the [outer] return envelopes, shall note the total number of absentee ballots received and shall report such total to the moderator.

Such rejection shall be communicated to the municipal clerk for purposes of subdivision (3) of this subsection.

The moderator shall transmit such log to the LCO No.

3082 24 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 Secretary of the State at the same time and in the same manner as the duplicate list to be transmitted to the Secretary by electronic means in accordance with section 9-314.

(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, as amended by this act, the counters shall replace the ballot in the opened [inner envelope, replace the inner envelope in the opened outer] return envelope and shall mark "Rejected as an Absentee Ballot" and endorse the reason for such rejection on [the outer] such return envelope, and the ballot shall be treated as a provisional ballot for federal offices only, pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

Such rejection shall be communicated to the municipal clerk for purposes of subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(B) The moderator shall maintain a log of each absentee ballot applicant whose ballot was marked "Rejected as an Absentee Ballot" under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision and include thereon for each such applicant the reason for the rejection.

(3)(2) In(A) If such statement is signed but the caseindividual completing the ballot is an individual described in subsection (a) of asection rejection9-23r underand subdivisionhas (1)not ormet (2)the requirements of subsection (e) of section 9-23r, as amended by this subsection,act, the municipalcounters clerk shall usereplace bestthe effortsballot toin contact the affectedopened voter[inner asenvelope, soonreplace asthe possible,inner butenvelope in nothe caseopened laterouter] thanreturn twenty-fourenvelope hoursand aftershall receivingmark communication"Rejected ofas suchan rejection,Absentee forBallot" and endorse the purposereason offor curingsuch rejection on [the outer] such rejectedreturn envelope, and the ballot pursuantshall tobe subdivisiontreated (3)as ofa subsectionprovisional (a)ballot offor sectionfederal 9-140c,offices asonly, amendedpursuant byto thissections act.9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

During(B) theThe periodmoderator beginningshall twenty-fourmaintain hoursa priorlog to the closing of theeach pollsabsentee andballot untilsSB491 such/ closingFile ofNo. the polls, the municipal clerk shall use best efforts to contact the affected voter for such purpose immediately upon receiving communication of such rejection.

The581 municipal24 clerk'ssSB491 bestFile efforts shall include, but need not be limited to, contacting the affected voter by (A) LCO No.

3082581 25applicant ofwhose 43ballot Raisedwas Billmarked No.491"Rejected callingas thean telephoneAbsentee numberBallot" orunder numberssubparagraph listed(A) onof thethis voter'ssubdivision absentee ballot application and voterinclude registration,thereon iffor theeach votersuch hasapplicant provided any, and (B) sending an electronic mail to the electronicreason mailfor address listed on the voter'srejection. absentee ballot application and voter registration, if the voter has provided any.

IfThe themoderator votershall hastransmit providedsuch neitherlog ato telephonethe numberSecretary norof anthe electronicState mailat address, the municipalsame clerktime shalland exercisein discretionthe insame attemptingmanner as the duplicate list to contactbe transmitted to the voterSecretary by otherelectronic means.means in accordance with section 9-314.

(2) Votes cast by absentee ballot at a primary may be counted only for LCOcandidates whose names appear on the ballot on primary day, and no write-in vote shall be counted except as provided in subdivision (3) of sSB491 / File No.

3082581 2625 ofsSB491 43File RaisedNo. Bill No.491 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.

581 this subsection.

[(k)] (j) If the intent of an absentee voter is difficult to ascertain due to LCOuncertain, 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 sSB491 / File No.

3082581 2726 ofsSB491 43File RaisedNo. Bill No.491 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.

581 moderator.

(e) The sealed depository envelopes required by subsections [(f) and (m)] (e) and (l) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act, shall be returned by the moderator to the municipal clerk as soon as practicable LCOon No.or before the day following the election, primary or referendum.

3082(f) 28The ofmunicipal 43clerk Raisedshall Billpreserve No.491for onsixty ordays beforeafter the dayelection, followingprimary or referendum the election,depository primaryenvelopes orcontaining referendum.opened envelopes and rejected ballots required by subsection [(f)] (e) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act, and shall so preserve for one hundred sSB491 / File No.

(f)581 The27 municipalsSB491 clerkFile shallNo. preserve for sixty days after the election, primary or referendum the depository envelopes containing opened envelopes and rejected ballots required by subsection [(f)] (e) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act, and shall so preserve for one hundred eighty days the depository envelopes containing counted ballots and related materials required by subsection [(m)] (l) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act.

581 eighty days the depository envelopes containing counted ballots and related materials required by subsection [(m)] (l) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act.

(4) the list of the names of persons whose absentee ballots are received by the municipal clerk, as required by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-140c, as amended by this act;

(i) For one hundred eighty days after the election, primary or LCOreferendum No.the following shall be preserved by the municipal clerk as a public record open to public inspection:

3082(1) 29The affidavit regarding the municipal clerk's endorsement of 43[inner] Raisedreturn Billenvelopes, No.as required by subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 9-140c, as amended by this act;

491 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] return envelopes, as required by subsection (a) of section 9-140c, as amended by this act;

Sec.sSB491 / File No.

581 28 sSB491 File No.

581 Sec.

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, as amended by this act, LCOtogether No.with the [serial] unique ballot identification number appearing on the [outer] return envelope of each absentee voting set issued to each such applicant.

3082 30 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 together with the [serial] unique ballot identification number appearing on the [outer] return envelope of each absentee voting set issued to each such applicant.

For all absentee ballots of such elector that are not counted, the municipalsSB491 clerk/ shallFile markNo. the [serially-numbered outer] return envelopes "rejected" and note the reasons for rejection and shall deliver such ballots in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended by this act.

581 29 sSB491 File No.

581 municipal clerk shall mark the [serially-numbered outer] return envelopes "rejected" and note the reasons for rejection and shall deliver such ballots in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended by this act.

(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] bearing a unique ballot identification number on the envelope for return of ballots to the municipal clerk, and the clerk shall keep a record of such unique ballot LCOidentification No.numbers by making a notation on, or attaching a memorandum to, the applicant's original application for an absentee ballot.

3082 31 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 identification numbers by making a notation on, or attaching a memorandum to, the applicant's original application for an absentee ballot.

(d)IfsSB491 more/ thanoneballotFile isreceivedfromanapplicantNo. who hasbeen sent a correct ballot under subsection (a) of this section, the ballot last received by the municipal clerk shall be counted if no ballot of such applicant has already been counted.

581 30 sSB491 File No.

581 (d)If more thanoneballot isreceivedfromanapplicant who hasbeen sent a correct ballot under subsection (a) of this section, the ballot last received by the municipal clerk shall be counted if no ballot of such applicant has already been counted.

LCO(1) No.I am qualified to vote for Presidential and Vice-Presidential electors in the town of ....

3082 32 of 43 Raised Bill No.

491 (1) I am qualified to vote for Presidential and Vice-Presidential electors in the town of ....

....sSB491 / File No.

581 31 sSB491 File No.

581 ....

LCO(3) No.I have not voted, and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot in said federal election.

3082 33 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 (3) I have not voted, and I will not vote otherwise than by this ballot in said federal election.

The voter shallsignthecertificationuponthe [inner]return envelope, [securely seal it, enclose it in an outer serially-numbered envelope] insertsSB491 the/ completedFile ballotNo. in such return envelope, which shall bear a return label displaying the unique ballot identification number both in text format and as a scannable barcode, and return it to the municipal clerk of the town in which [he] such voter is qualified to vote.

The581 clerk32 shallsSB491 keepFile itNo. in [his] the clerk's office until delivered by [him] such clerk to the registrars of voters at the same time and in the same manner as is provided for absentee ballots.

If581 insert the completed ballot isin returnedsuch byreturn aenvelope, personwhich othershall thanbear thea voterreturn orlabel displaying the Unitedunique Statesballot Postalidentification Service,number theboth personin deliveringtext theformat ballotand shallas signa [his]scannable suchbarcode, person's name and addressreturn andit to the datemunicipal andclerk time of itsthe deliverytown onin thewhich [outer][he] returnsuch envelopevoter inis thequalified clerk'sto presence.vote.

The ballot,clerk toshall bekeep cast,it shallin be[his] returnedthe soclerk's thatoffice ituntil isdelivered received by the[him] townsuch clerk notto later than the closeregistrars of voters at the pollssame ontime and in the daysame ofmanner theas election.[is provided for absentee ballots] provided in section 9-140c, as amended by this act.

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] such person's name and address and indicate the date and time of [its] such ballot's delivery on the [outer] return envelope in the clerk's presence.

The ballot, to be cast, shall be returned so that [it] such ballot is received by the [town] clerk not later than the close of the polls on the day of the election.

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] unique ballot identificationnumbers ofthereturnenvelopesissued,and LCOshall No.maintain an alphabetical index of the list for a period of one hundred eighty days after the election or primary.

3082 34 of 43 Raised Bill No491 shall maintain an alphabetical index of the list for a period of one hundred eighty days after the election or primary.

(b)sSB491 Challenges/ shallFile notNo. 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.

581 33 sSB491 File No.

581 (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.

The municipal clerk shall furnish copies of any written response LCOto No.the challenge to each registrar of voters.

3082 35 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 to the challenge to each registrar of voters.

(f) The registrars of voters shall examine the challenge, any written response to the challenge and any other evidence or information they deemsSB491 relevant/ toFile theNo. challenge, including the [inner] return envelope, which shall not be opened, and shall determine whether the challenge should be upheld.

581 34 sSB491 File No.

581 deem relevant to the challenge, including the [inner] return envelope, which shall not be opened, and shall determine whether the challenge should be upheld.

If the challenge is upheld, the registrars shall mark the word "rejected" on the [serially-numbered outer] return envelope and note the reasons for rejection, and shall LCOreturn No.ittogether withallother evidence receivedinconnectionwiththe challenge to the municipal clerk who shall retain the same until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended by this act, 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, as amended by this act, and 9-147a shall be returned to the moderator to whom the challenge was made.

3082 36 of 43 Raised Bill No491 return ittogether withallother evidence receivedinconnectionwiththe challenge to the municipal clerk who shall retain the same until delivered in accordance with section 9-140c, as amended by this act, 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, as amended by this act, and 9-147a shall be returned to the moderator to whom the challenge was made.

(g) The registrars or their designees, as the case may be, shall jointly deliversSB491 theballotstotherespective/ applicantsatFile theinstitutionandshallNo. jointly supervise the voting of such ballots.

581 35 sSB491 File No.

581 deliver theballotstotherespective applicantsat theinstitutionandshall jointly supervise the voting of such ballots.

LCOSec. No.

3082 37 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 Sec.

(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 proceduralrulesthecommissionshalladopt,to compeltheir attendance and to require the production for examination of any books and papers whichthecommissiondeemsrelevanttoanymatterunderinvestigation orsSB491 in/ question.File No.

581 36 sSB491 File No.

581 or in question.

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, as amended by this act, 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] return envelope from which any such ballot has been removed, depository envelope containing any such ballot or [inner or outer] return envelope as provided in sections 9-150a, as amended by this act, and 9-150b, as amended by this act, and any other record, form or document as provided in section 9-150b, as LCOamended No.by this act, in connection with the election, primary or referendum to which the investigation relates.

3082 38 of 43 Raised Bill No.491 amended by this act, in connection with the election, primary or referendum to which the investigation relates.

(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 oftheindividual's applicationfor admissionasanelector,andifthe individual votes by absentee ballot in an election for federal office, the individualsSB491 shall/ encloseFile inNo. the [outer absentee ballot envelope, and not in the inner envelope with the ballot] additional envelope provided by the municipal clerk pursuant to section 9-140a, as amended by this act, for the return of such applicant's identification:

(1)581 A37 copysSB491 ofFile aNo. current and valid photo identification, or (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government documentthatshowsthenameandaddressofthevoter.Ifanindividual 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 subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act, and treated as a provisional ballot for federal office only, pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

LCO581 No.individual shall enclose in the [outer absentee ballot envelope, and not in the inner envelope with the ballot] additional envelope provided by the municipal clerk pursuant to section 9-140a, as amended by this act, for the return of such applicant's identification:

3082(1) 39A copy of 43a Raisedcurrent Billand No.491valid Sec.photo identification, or (2) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government documentthatshowsthenameandaddressofthevoter.Ifanindividual does not meet the requirements of this subsection in an election for federal office, such [individual’s] individual's absentee ballot shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 9-150a, as amended by this act, and treated as a provisional ballot for federal office only, pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.

Sec.

In the course of the recanvass of the absenteesSB491 ballot/ voteFile theNo. recanvass officials shall check all [outer] return 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.

581 38 sSB491 File No.

581 absentee ballot vote the recanvass officials shall check all [outer] return 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.

LCOSec. No.

308222. 40 of 43 Raised Bill No.

491 Sec.

24.

25.23.

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 ofsSB491 a/ sizeFile toNo. be determined by said clerk.

581 39 sSB491 File No.

581 of a size to be determined by said clerk.

26.24.

(Effective from passage) LCOThis No.act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

3082 41 of 43 Raised Bill No.

491 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

8 Januaryfrom 1,passage 2027 New section Sec.

14 from passage 9-158f from passage Sec.

15 from passage 9-158g Sec.

21 from passage 9-311(b) from passage Sec.

2422 from passage 9-359a Sec.

2523 from passage 9-369b(a)(1)(B) Sec.

2624 from passage Repealer section StatementsSB491 of/ Purpose:File No.

To581 implement40 thesSB491 SecretaryFile ofNo. the State's recommendations for implementation of no-excuse absentee voting, including provisions regarding (1) removal of the statutory restrictions on absentee voting, (2) distribution of absentee ballot applications, (3) use of a single envelope and other aspects of returning absentee ballots, (4) ability to cure absentee ballots in cases where voters have not signed the statement on the return envelope, and (5) tracking of absentee ballots and applications throughout the process.

LCO581 No.Statement of Legislative Commissioners:

3082In 42Section of4(d)(1)(C) 43and Raised(D), Bill"its" No.was changed to "[its] the ballot's" for clarity;

491in [ProposedSection deletions9(b), are"state, enclosedand in(5)" brackets.was changed to "state, or (5)" for accuracy and "Pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section" was deleted for clarity;

Proposedand additionsin areSection indicated9(c), by"beginning underline, except that when the entireday" textwas ofchanged ato bill"on orand resolutionafter orthe aday" sectionfor ofconsistency awith billstandard ordrafting resolutionconventions. is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.

3082GAE 43Joint ofFavorable 43Subst.

sSB491 / File No.

581 41 sSB491 File No.

581 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:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ FY 29 $ Secretary of the GF - Cost 1.55 million 136,000 to 146,000 to State to 1.7 254,000 286,000 million Secretary of the GF - Potential 70,000 to 60,000 to 70,000 to State Savings 150,000 125,000 150,000 Elections GF - Cost 68,000 87,500 87,500 Enforcement Commission State GF - Cost 27,000 36,000 36,000 Comptroller - Fringe Benefits1 Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

Municipalities Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ FY 29 $ All Cost 822,000 to 2.5 650,000 to 1.9 770,000 to 2.3 Municipalities million million million All Cost Minimal Minimal Minimal Municipalities Explanation The bill authorizes all eligible voters to apply for and participate in elections via absentee voting, and alters existing absentee ballot provisions, among other changes, beginning in FY 27.

The bill results in General Fund costs of approximately $1.65 million to $1.8 million in FY 1The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.82% of payroll in FY 27.

sSB491 / File No.

581 42 sSB491 File No.

581 27, $259,500 to $377,500 in FY 28, and $269,500 to $409,500 in FY 29.

There are additionally General Fund savings anticipated of approximately $60,000 to $150,000 annually beginning in FY 27.

The bill also results in an aggregate total cost to municipalities of $822,000 to $2.5 million in FY 27, $650,000 to $1.9 million in FY 28, and $770,000 to $2.3 million in FY 29.

Costs continue in the out years.

State Fiscal Impacts The bill's state costs are primarily to the Secretary of the State (SOTS), with SOTS costs totaling approximately $1.55 million to $1.7 million in FY 27, $136,000 to $254,000 in FY 28, and $146,000 to $286,000 in FY 29, with costs continuing into the out years.

These costs are associated with supporting the anticipated increase in absentee voting, reprinting current forms, updating the current ballot tracking system, and a public awareness mailing, as described below.

The bill additionally results in aggregate savings to the state of $70,000 to $150,000 in FY 27, $60,000 to $125,000 in FY 28, and $70,000 to $150,000 in FY 29, with ongoing savings in the out years.

This savings is associated with the elimination of the absentee ballot outer envelope.

The total state costs and savings may vary from the ranges provided above if absentee voting participation is significantly higher or lower than projected.

Expanded Absentee Voting.

The bill's expanded absentee voting provisions (Section 1 ) result in a cost to the state of $292,000 to $433,000 in FY 27, $184,500 to $302,500 in FY 28, and $194,500 to $334,500 in FY 29, with costs continuing in the out years.

The majority of these costs are This estimate assumes:

(1) on the lower end, an increase of 10% of the participating electorate shifting to absentee voting in each town in response to the legislation;

and (2) on the higher end, a shift in line with Massachusetts patterns (ranging from 24.7% to 30.9%) depending on a town's number of registered voters.

sSB491 / File No.

581 43 sSB491 File No.

581 to SOTS, associated with providing additional forms.

3 SOTS will need to print additional absentee ballot materials to support theexpected increase inabsentee voting participation,resulting in a cost of $72,000 to $213,000 in FY 27, $61,000 to $179,000 in FY 28, and $71,000 to $211,000 in FY 29, with costs continuing in the out years.

This cost is expected to vary annually depending on the number of electors who choose to participate via absentee ballot and the types of elections held.

The bill allows an elector to choose to permanently participate via absentee voting (Section 9), beginning in FY 27.

This provision may increase the SOTS absentee ballot materials costs beyond the estimates described above.

The extent of the cost increase depends on the number of electors who choose this option but in the absence of the provision, would not have opted for absentee voting for every election.

In FY 27, there is a one-time cost of $125,000 to SOTS to reprint approximately 1.35 million forms.

Reprinting is necessary to remove existing references to the requirement to provide an excuse to participate via absentee voting.

The expansion of absentee voting also results in a cost to the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) of $68,000 4 and one position in FY 27, with an associated fringe cost of $27,000, before increasing to an annual salary of $86,000 beginning in FY 28, with ongoing other expenses of $1,500 and an associated fringe cost of $36,000.

The position is necessary because the bill's expansion of absentee voting is anticipated to result in an increase in SEEC investigations.

Absentee Voting Ballot Tracking.

The bill requires SOTS to develop 3Expanded absentee voting, excluding the public information campaign and ballot tracking, results in costs to SOTS of $197,000 to $338,000 in FY 27, $61,000 to $179,000 in FY 28, and $71,000 to $211,000 in FY 29.

4Thisrepresents0.75FTEinFY27.Costsincludeasalaryof$64,500andotherexpenses of $3,500.

The position is a Legal Investigator.

sSB491 / File No.

581 44 sSB491 File No.

581 and install ballot-tracking software (Section 8), resulting in an annual cost of approximately $75,000 beginning in FY 27.

This estimate is based on a private vendor cost from another state.

IfSOTS chooses to integrate the United States Postal Service (USPS) tracking into the state's Centralized Voter Registration System (CVRS), costs may vary.

Absentee Voting and the Elimination of the Outer Envelope.

The bill eliminates the requirement for a second envelope to be used by electors participating via absentee voting (Section 2), resulting in savings to SOTS of $70,000 to $150,000 in FY 27, $60,000 to $125,000 in FY 28, and $70,000 to $150,000 in FY 29, with savings continued into the out years.

The exact savings will depend on the number of electors who choose to participate via absentee voting.

Public Awareness Mailing.

The bill requires SOTS to conduct a statewide public awareness mailing to educate the public regarding the bill's absentee voting provisions (Section 9).

This results in a one-time cost to SOTS of $1.3 million in FY 27.

Municipal Fiscal Impacts Thebillresultsinanestimatedtotalcost tomunicipalitiesof$822,000 to $2.5 million in FY 27, $650,000 to $1.9 million in FY 28, and $770,000 to $2.3 million in FY 29, with costs continuing in the out years.

These costs are primarily associated with the additional labor and materials 6This estimate assumes:

(1) on the lower end, an increase of 10% of the participating electorate shifting to absentee voting in each town in response to the legislation;

and (2) on the higher end, a shift in line with Massachusetts patterns (ranging from 24.7% to 30.9%) depending on a town's number of registered voters.

7This figure is based on the USPS standard media mail rate.

This cost also includes the initial printing of the mailing, postage, and printing additional copies for town clerks to include with absentee ballot applications.

This estimate was calculated using vote by mail town costs from the Massachusetts certified cost data.

The Massachusetts cost data comes from the 2024 election and has been adjusted to account for size, participation, and voting patterns within each town in Connecticut.

9FY 27 includes the 2026 State Election Primary and the 2026 State Election.

FY 28 includes the 2027 Municipal Primary, 2027 Municipal Election and the 2028 Presidential Preference Primary.

11FY 29 includes the 2028 State Election Primary and the 2028 Presidential Election.

sSB491 / File No.

581 45 sSB491 File No.

581 required to support the expected increase in absentee voting.

The statewide total municipal costs may vary from the ranges provided above if absentee voting participation is significantly higher or lower than projected.

Expanded Absentee Voting.

The bill's expanded absentee voting provisions(Section 1)result ina cost to municipalitiesof$800,000to $2.5 million in FY 27, $650,000 to $1.9 million in FY 28, and $770,000 to $2.3 million in FY 29, with costs continuing in the out years.

This cost is associated with the additional labor, storage, printing, and postage needed to facilitate and process additional absentee ballots.

12 The estimate is based on municipal costs incurred in Massachusetts under a similar policy, applied to Connecticut towns with comparable electorates.

The exact cost will vary substantially by town, depending on the number of registered voters, as well as on election participation and absentee-voting rates.

Towns with smaller numbers 13 of registered voters will generally see a significantly lower cost than towns with higher numbers of registered voters.

Absentee Voting and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

As part of the absentee voting changes, the bill additionally requires municipalities to provide a secondary envelope, and, optionally, prepaid postage to support ballot access for certain electors (Section 5), resulting in a statewide cost of up to $22,000 in FY 27 (if municipalities choose to prepay postage).

Connecticut has an estimated 31,570 electors who have not previously complied with HAVA requirements to provide required identification to participate in federal elections.

The 12This estimate assumes:

(1) on the lower end, an increase of 10% of the participating electorate shifting to absentee voting in each town in response to the legislation;

and (2) on the higher end, a shift in line with Massachusetts patterns (ranging from 24.7% to 30.9%) depending on a town's number of registered voters.

13Towns with fewer than 5,000 registered voters are expected to see a cost increase of $500 to $1,300 in FY 27, $500 to $1,100 in FY 28, and $500 to $1,200 in FY 29.

14Towns with greater than 50,000 registered voters are expected to see a cost increase of $21,000 to $59,000 in FY 27, $15,000 to $43,000 in FY 28, and $22,000 to $63,000 in FY 29.

sSB491 / File No.

581 46 sSB491 File No.

581 exact cost will vary by town and depend on the number of such voters who choose to participate by absentee ballot.

The Out Years State Impact:

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact above will continue into the future subject to inflation and the number of electors who participate via absentee.

Municipal Impact:

Costs in the out years will vary depending on:

(1) the annual number and types of elections conducted;

(2) the proportion of the electorate who newly decide to participate via absentee voting;

and (3) inflation in postage and labor costs.

sSB491 / File No.

581 47 sSB491 File No.

581 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 491 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NO- EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING.

SUMMARY This bill expands absentee voting to all eligible voters who will not appear at their designated polling place on the day of an election, primary, or referendum (election contest), instead of just to voters who had a specified reason (§ 1).

The bill also requires the secretary of the state (SOTS) to develop and install absentee ballot-tracking software that is integrated with the Centralized Voter Registration System (CVRS).

At a minimum, the software must track (1) when an absentee ballot application is received and accepted by the town clerk;

(2) when the ballot is (a) mailed out by the clerk, (b) delivered to the applicant, or (c) delivered to the clerk;

and (3) whether the ballot was accepted, requires curing, or is rejected (§ 8).

The bill also makes several changes to the absentee balloting procedures, including the following:

1.

implements use of a singular “return envelope” for ballot return and in doing so combines the inner and outer envelopes used under current law, and makes corresponding changes;

2.

replacestherequiredserialnumbersontheenvelopewithunique ballotidentificationnumbers,andmakescorrespondingchanges;

3.

eliminates the prohibition on misrepresenting absentee ballot eligibility requirements to any elector or prospective applicant (§ 1);

sSB491 / File No.

581 48 sSB491 File No.

581 4.

amends the information that Department of Correction (DOC) employees must provide on absentee ballot applications for incarcerated applicants they assist (§ 4);

5.

adjusts requirements for certain entities that send out unsolicited absentee ballot applications (§ 4);

6.

modifies how absentee ballots are cast and collected (§ 6);

7.

creates procedures for voters to cure certain rejected absentee ballots (§ 7);

8.

modifies certaindeadlinesfor delivering absentee ballotsto town clerks and when absentee ballot counters must report to the counting location (§§ 7 & 10);

9.

extends permanent absentee voting eligibility to all eligible voters (§ 9);

10.

expands the ways in which a person’s permanent absentee ballot status loses effect and correspondingly eliminates the registrar’s annual verification requirement (§ 9);

and 11.

requires voters, including those overseas, casting presidential ballots to print their name on the return envelope in addition to signing it as under current law (§ 14).

Thebillalso requiresSOTS to create andconduct astatewidemailing, as soon as possible after the bill is enacted, to inform all voters of the changes to the state’s absentee balloting and permanent absentee ballot status eligibility laws.

SOTS must also make the mailing materials available to town clerks and, once provided, the clerks must include them with all absentee ballot applications that they distribute in 2026 (§ 9).

The bill also makes technical and conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon passage sSB491 / File No.

581 49 sSB491 File No.

581 NO-EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING Under current law, in order to apply for and cast an absentee ballot, a voter must be unable to appear at his or her designated polling place on election day due to (1) active service in the U.S.

armed forces;

(2) absence from their city or town;

(3) sickness or physical disability;

(4) their religious beliefs prohibiting secular activity on that day;

or (5) service as an election, primary, or referendum official at a polling place other than his or her own during all voting hours.

The bill eliminates these requirements and, instead, allows any eligible voter who completes and submits an absentee ballot application to attain permanent absentee ballot status.

ABSENTEE BALLOT MATERIALS Absentee Ballot Applications The bill requires an absentee ballot application to display a unique ballot ID number instead of being consecutively numbered.

Return Envelopes Under current law, absentee ballot sets consist of a ballot, an outer envelope with information about the elector (such as their name and address), and an inner envelope with a statement signed by the elector under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting.

Once the elector has filled out the ballot, he or she must insert the ballot into the inner envelope, seal it inside, and then insert the inner envelope into the outer one.

The bill instead consolidates the information on the inner and outer envelopes into one absentee balloting envelope (a return envelope).

Further, the bill modifies the information that must be on the return envelope by removing language regarding excuses to vote absentee from the statement the voter signs, and by requiring:

1.

the voter to also print their name on the face of the envelope, which, under existing law and the bill, must be signed and capable of being sealed;

sSB491 / File No.

581 50 sSB491 File No.

581 2.

the envelope be endorsed with the words “OFFICIAL ABSENTEE BALLOT”;

3.

a label with specified information generated by the Centralized Voter Registration System (CVRS;

see below) 4.

a return label displaying a unique ballot identification number (see below);

5.

a notice regarding certain state absentee ballot handling laws (see below);

and 6.

the clerk’s official address to be inscribed before the absentee ballot set is issued.

Additionally, the bill requires town clerks to provide an additional envelope that is pre-addressed to the clerk if the voter is required by federal law to mail back their identification (see BACKGROUND).

Currently, any required identification must be placed in the outer envelope.

Required Labels.TheCVRSlabelmustinclude(1)thesender’sname and return address;

(2) the applicant’s name, address, and voting district;

(3) the ballot style;

(4) a unique ballot identification number;

(5) the date of the election contest;

and (6) if for a primary, the name of the political party holding that primary.

The bill requires the ballot ID number on the return labels to be in a text format and as a scannable barcode (instead of requiring all outer envelopes to be serially and consecutively numbered as under current law).

Absentee Ballot Restrictions Notice.

The return envelope’s notice must warn anyone handling the absentee ballot about state law’s (1) restrictions on who may possess and return absentee ballots and (2) restrictions and penalties regarding completing or executing absentee ballots.

sSB491 / File No.

581 51 sSB491 File No.

581 Ballot Identification Numbers Regarding thechange fromserialnumbersto unique ID numbers, the bill correspondingly requires clerks to ensure the unique ballot ID number that appears on the return envelope matches the one on the applicationform.

Asunder current law,clerksmust keep alist ofunique ballot ID numbers and the name of the applicant receiving the corresponding absentee ballot set.

They must also do so for any additional absentee voting sets they issue (for example, replacements) and ballots of presidential voters and overseas electors.

Relatedly, the bill eliminates the requirement for the clerk to issue absentee ballot sets in consecutive ascending numerical order based on the envelope’s serial numbers.

Other Materials State law generally prohibits including anything else with an absentee voting set except (1) for alternate applications for certain military personnel and overseas voters and (2) when necessary to correct errors and omissions as allowed by state law.

The bill additionally allows any voting information SOTS requires to be included, but explicitly prohibits including voting information promoting a question’s success or defeat.

§ 4 — ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION DISTRIBUTION State law generally requires individuals requesting or distributing absenteeballotapplicationsforotherpeopleto(1)registerwiththetown clerk ifdistributing five or more applications, excluding thosefor family members, for a specific election contest and (2) keep a log of who received their applications, including specified details, and file it with the town clerk.

The bill eliminates a prohibition against distributing absentee ballot applications unless the application specifies the year in which the application may be used.

However, the bill maintains the provision in current law that prohibits clerks from accepting and people from using ballot applications without the correct year noted.

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581 Similarly, candidates, parties, and political committees (or candidates’ or committees’ agents) may mail unsolicited applications to voters if they include a written (1) explanation of the eligibility requirements for voting absentee (including the reasons needed) and (2) warning about the penalties for violating these requirements.

The bill expands these requirements by (1) applying them to delivered ballots, in addition to mailed ballots, and (2) requiring a disclaimer noting the individual or committee that paid for the mailing or delivery.

If the mailing or delivery was paid for by a candidate, the disclaimer must also note that the candidate approved it.

Additionally, the bill eliminates the requirement under current law for the mailing to explain the eligibility criteria and warn the person that voting by absentee ballot without being eligible may result in civil or criminal penalties.

Instead, it requires a written explanation of the options for returning absentee ballots under state law.

§ 4 — ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS FOR INCARCERATED VOTERS By law, anyone assisting a voter in completing their absentee ballot must sign the application and print their name, residential address, and telephone number on it.

Additionally, the law outlines procedures for DOC employees to distribute, collect, and return absentee ballots for incarcerated voters who have retained their voting rights.

The bill specifies that DOC employees who assist these voters with their absentee ballot applications must instead provide the address and telephone number ofthefacility where they are employedandprovided the assistance, instead of their residential address and personal telephone number.

§§ 6 & 24 — RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS The bill deems an absentee ballot cast when it is (1) received, (2) signed by the voter on the return envelope’s affirmation, and (3) acceptedbythetownclerk.Correspondingly,thebillrepealsaprovision allowing a voter to withdraw their absentee ballot.

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581 The bill also requires town clerks to retrieve ballots from absentee ballot drop boxes on each business day instead of each weekday as under current law.

§ 7 — ABSENTEE BALLOT CURING The bill establishes procedures for voters to “cure” their absentee ballots if they failed to sign the required statement on the return envelope.

Under the bill, voters may cure their ballots from the beginning of the absentee voting period until the close of the polls on election day.

The bill requires town clerks to make their best efforts to contact a voter who failed to sign the envelope, but generally not later than 24 hours after receiving the voter’s ballot.

For ballots received within 24 hours before the polls close, the town clerk must start using best efforts immediately after receiving the ballot.

Under the bill, “best efforts” must at least include contacting voters through the phone numbers and email addresses they provide on the absentee ballot application and voter registration.

If this information was not provided, the clerk may exercise discretion in contacting the voter through other means.

§§ 7 & 10 — ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESSING Town Clerk’s Sorting and Delivery of Absentee Ballots to Registrars (§ 7) The bill allows town clerks to begin sorting absentee ballots into voting districts on the first day absentee ballot sets are issued, instead of starting seven days before the election as under current law.

By law, the clerk must then deliver the absentee ballots to the registrars to be checked.

Once the checking is complete, the registrars return the unopened ballots to the clerk, who must seal and hold them until the election day.

The clerk follows this procedure for all ballots received by 11:00 a.m.

on the weekday before the election.

For ballots received before this time, the law establishes deadlines by sSB491 / File No.

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581 which theclerk must deliver thestored absentee ballotsto theregistrars.

The bill changes these deadlines as described in the table below.

Table:

Deadlines for Delivering Absentee Ballots on Election Day Type of Election Contest Current Law’s Deadline The Bill’s Deadline Election 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or a mutually agreed upon time Primary before 8:00 pm 12:00 pm or a mutually 7:00 am Referendum agreed upon time before 8:00 pm 7:00 am or a mutually Special election or As above for regular agreed upon time before referendum contests 4:00 pm State law also, unchanged by the bill, sets deadlines for delivering absentee ballots to theregistrars that are received by thetown clerk after 11:00 a.m.

on the weekday before the election.

Absentee Ballot Counting (§ 10) The bill requires absentee ballot counters to go to the counting location immediately when the polls open on election day, instead of at the time the registrar designates as under current law.

§ 9 — PERMANENT ABSENTEE VOTING Statelawallowscertainvoterstorequest thatregistrarsautomatically send an absentee ballot to them for each election they are eligible for.

The bill allows any eligible voter to request permanent absentee ballot status, instead of just voters who are permanently physically disabled or suffering from a long-term illness.

Current law also requires that registrars annually verify that each permanent absentee ballot voter still resides at their address by sending them a written notice.

Electors may lose permanent absentee ballot status if (1) they are removed from the municipality’s registration list, (2) the notice is returned undeliverable, or (3) the voter requests removal.

The bill eliminates the notice requirement and the related reason for sSB491 / File No.

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581 removal and instead additionally requires a voter be removed for other specified reasons, including if the ballot is returned as undeliverable.

Removal is also required if the voter is placed on the inactive registry list.

Voters may be placed on the list for a variety of reasons under state law, including if registrars are notified of a person’s death or disenfranchisement.

A voter may also be placed on the inactive list if the registrar (1) has reason to believe that the voter moved, (2) sent notice as required by state law, and (3) did not receive a return card within 30 days of mailing it or it was returned undeliverable.

State law establishes procedures for reactivating a person’s registration if he or she has been placed on the inactive registry list.

Under the bill, the voter must also be removed from the permanent absentee ballot list if he or she submits a change of address form to the U.S.

Postal Service’s National Change of Address System indicating a new out-of-state address.

The bill also requires removal if SOTS or the applicable registrar receives information from an out-of-state admitting official that the voter has registered to vote there.

Similarly, a voter may also be removed if the applicable registrar receives certain information that the voter moved out of state.

Specifically,theinformationmustcomefromanotherstateorthefederal government as part of an agreement to share information to help mutually update voter registration systems.

BACKGROUND Identification Under Federal Law By law, if a voter registers to vote by mail and does not meet federal identification requirements at the time of registration, the voter must give sufficient identification the first time they seek to vote absentee.

If a voter fails to do so, the absentee ballot cannot be counted.

Acceptable forms of identification include certain documents with the voter’s name and address (such as bank statements or utility bills) or valid photo identification with the voter’s name and address (CGS § 9-23r).

Related Bills sSB491 / File No.

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581 sSB 495, reported favorably by the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee, restricts persons with certain convictions from distributing absentee ballot applications.

sHB 5001, reported favorably by the GAE Committee, among other things, includes identical provisions as this bill.

HB 5530, reported favorably by theGAE Committee, requires a study of absentee ballot access in unconsolidated cities and boroughs within a town.

COMMITTEE ACTION Government Administration and Elections Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 13 Nay 5 (03/20/2026) sSB491 / File No.

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