How SB 491 changes current law

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

This bill replaces specific eligibility criteria for absentee voting with no-excuse absentee voting provisions.

• Section 9-135

  if such elector or person is unable to appear at such elector's or person's polling place on the day of such primary, election or referendum for any of the following reasons: (1) such elector's or person's active service with the armed forces of the United States; (2) such elector's or person's absence from the town of such elector's or person's voting residence; (3) sickness; (4) physical disability; (5) the tenets of such elector's or person's religion forbid secular activity on the day of such primary, election or referendum; or (6) the required performance of such elector's or person's duties as a primary, election or referendum official, including as a town clerk or registrar of voters or as staff of the clerk or registrar, at a polling place other than such elector's or person's own during all of the hours of voting at such primary, election or referendum

  This change allows any eligible voter to vote by absentee ballot without needing a specific excuse for being unable to attend their polling place.

• Section 9-137

  an inner → a return envelope which shall be capable of being sealed and which shall have printed on its face a form containing the following statement: "I hereby state under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting that I am eligible to vote at the primary, election or referendum in the municipality in which this absentee ballot is to be cast. [and that I expect to be unable to appear at my polling place on the day of such primary, election or referendum for one or more of the following reasons: (1) My active service in the armed forces; (2) my absence from the town in which I am eligible to vote; (3) sickness; (4) physical disability; (5) the tenets of my religion which forbid secular activity on the day of such primary, election or referendum; or (6) my duties as a primary, election or referendum official.]"

  This change modifies the wording of the absentee ballot return envelope, removing the requirement to list reasons for not attending the polling place.

• Section 9-139a

  the inner envelope, the outer → envelope provided for the return of the ballot to the municipal clerk,

  This change standardizes the language regarding ballot envelopes in the absentee voting process.

• Section 9-140

  the application shall be signed by the applicant under the penalties of false statement in absentee balloting on (A) the form prescribed by the Secretary of the State pursuant to section 9-139a, as amended by this act, (B) a form provided by any federal department or agency if applicable pursuant to section 9-153a, or (C) any of the special forms of application prescribed pursuant to section 9-150c, 9-153a, 9-153b, as amended by this act, 9-153d, 9-153e, 9-153f or 9-158d, if applicable. Any such absentee ballot applicant who is unable to write may cause the application to be completed by an authorized agent who shall, in the spaces provided for the date and signature, write the date and name of the absentee ballot applicant followed by the word "by" and his such authorized agent's own signature.

  This change clarifies the requirements for signing absentee ballot applications and does not change the fundamental requirement.