HB 5498 — AN ACT CONCERNING ELECTION SECURITY AND TRANSPARENCY, THE COUNTING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS, ABSENTEE VOTING FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS OF NURSING HOMES, SECURITY OF CERTAIN ELECTION WORKERS, STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION COMPLAINTS, BALLOTS MADE AVAILABLE IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH AND VARIOUS OTHER REVISIONS RELATED TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.

If such application is personally submitted to the clerk, [in person,] within six days immediately preceding the close of the polls at an election, [or] primary or referendum, by a person designated on the application to deliver the absentee ballot to the applicant as provided in this section and in subsection (b) of [said] section 9-140b, as amended by this act, and if [the] such application is dated within such [time]six-day period, theclerk shallgive [that]suchpersontheabsentee voting set.

Section 9-364 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

Any person who, withintent to disenfranchise any elector, influences or attemptstoinfluence by force or threat,bribery or corrupt,fraudulent or deliberately deceitful means any elector to stay away from any election or otherwise refrain from voting, whether such voting is by mail, by deposit in a secure drop box or in person at a polling place or designated early voting or same-day election registration location, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

Sec.

7.

Section 9-364a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

(a) As used in this section, "election worker" means any municipal clerk, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters, election official described in section 9-258, primary official described in section 9-436 or recanvass official described in section 9-311, and "personal identifying information" has the same meaning as provided in section 53a-129a.

Public Act No.

24-148 7 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 (b) Any person who influences or attempts to influence by force or threat the vote, or by force, threat, bribery or corrupt means, the speech, of any other person [in] at a primary, caucus, referendum, convention or election;

[or] any person who influences or attempts to influence by force, threat or harassment any election worker in the performance of any duty under the provisions of this title related to election administration at a primary, referendum, election or recanvass;

any person who wilfully and fraudulently suppresses or destroys any vote or ballot properly given or cast, whether so given or cast by mail, by deposit ina secure dropbox or inpersonat apolling place or designated early voting or same-day election registration location, or, in counting such votes or ballots, wilfully miscounts or misrepresents the number thereof;

and any presiding or other officer of a primary, caucus or convention who wilfully announces the result of a ballot or vote of such primary, caucus or convention, untruly and wrongfully, shall be guilty of a class C felony.

(c) Any person who, with intent to harass, terrorize or alarm any election worker, or to improperly influence any election worker in the performance of any duty under this title related to election administration at a primary, referendum, election or recanvass, publicly discloses the personal identifying information of such election worker shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

(d) Any election worker described in subsection (b) or (c) of this section, as applicable, shall have a civil cause of action against the person who, with respect to such election worker, violated said subsection.

Sec.

8.

(a)The Secretary oftheState shallprescribe andfurnish thefollowing materialsPublic toAct municipalNo. clerks:

24-148 8 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 materials to municipal clerks:

(b) The application for absentee ballot shall be in the form of a statement signed under the penalties of false statement in absentee LCOballoting. 5 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 balloting.

7.9.

Subsection (a) of section 9-140 of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective JulyJanuary 1, 2024):2025):

The municipal clerk shall maintain a log of all absenteePublic ballotAct applicationsNo. provided under this subsection, including the name and address of each person to whom applications are provided and the number of applications provided to each such person.

24-148 9 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 absentee ballot applications provided under this subsection, including the name and address of each person to whom applications are provided and the number of applications provided to each such person.

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 LCOpursuant 6to ofsection 329-150c, Substituteas Billamended No.by this act, 9-153a, 9-153b, as amended by this act, 9-153d, 9-153e, 9-153f or 9-158d, if applicable.

5498 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.

If thetheballot ballotisto isbemailedto totheapplicant, betheapplicant mailed to the applicant, the applicant shall list the bona fide personal mailing address of the applicant in the appropriate space on the application.

(3) No municipal clerk shall provide, for an election, primary or referendum,Public fiveAct orNo. more absentee ballot applications at a time to any person earlier than ninety days prior to the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of section 9-140, for such election, primary or referendum.

24-148 10 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 referendum, five or more absentee ballot applications to any person earlier than ninety days prior to the first day of issuance of absentee voting sets, as provided in subsection (f) of section 9-140, for such election, primary or referendum.

8.10.

(a) The Secretary of the State may enter into an agreement to share LCOinformation 7or ofdata 32with Substituteany Billother No.state in order to maintain the state- wide centralized voter registration system established pursuant to section 9-50b, as amended by this act.

5498If informationan agency of this state, another state or datathe federal government provides the Secretary with anyinformation otheror statedata into orderbe used to maintain such system, the state-Secretary wideshall centralizednot voteruse registrationsuch information or data for any purpose except to maintain such system establishedand pursuantshall ensure that such information or data is held confidential, [ifsuchinformationor data,whileinthepossessionofsuch other agency or state or federal government, as applicable, was required to sectionbe 9-50b,held confidential,] except as amendedprovided byfor in subsection (b) of this act.section.

If an agency of this state, another state or the federal government provides the Secretary with information or data to be used to maintain such system, the Secretary shall not use such information or data for any purpose except to maintain such system and shall ensure that such information or data is held confidential, [ifsuchinformationordata,whileinthepossessionofsuch other agency or state or federal government, as applicable, was required to be held confidential,] except as provided for in subsection (b) of this section.

Sec.Public Act No.

9.24-148 11 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 Sec.

11.

(b) Not later than July 1, 2003, each registrar of voters shall transmit to the office of the Secretary of the State all elector information required by the office to complete the state-wide centralized voter registration LCOsystem. 8 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 system.

On and after July 1, 2024, each town clerk shall utilize the state-wide centralized voter registration system whenever carrying out any provision of this titletitle. involving the checking of absentee ballot applications or returned absentee ballots against any active or inactive registry list or enrollment list.

10.12.

SectionSubsection 9-50d(h) of section 9-163aa of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereofPublic (EffectiveAct OctoberNo. 1, 2024):

(a)24-148 (1)12 Whenever voter registration information maintained under this title by the Secretary of the35 StateSubstitute orHouse anyBill registrarNo. of voters is provided pursuant to any provision of the general statutes, disclosure of a voter's date of birth shall be limited to only the month and year of birth, unless such voter registration information is requested and used for a governmental purpose, as determined by the Secretary, in which case the voter's complete date of birth shall be provided.

As5498 usedthereof in(Effective thisJuly section,agovernmentalpurposeshallinclude,butnotbelimitedto,jury1, administration.2024):

(2)(h) Voter(1) registrationNo informationperson describedshall solicit on behalf of or in subdivisionopposition (1)to any candidate or on behalf of thisor subsectionin (A)opposition mayto onlyany bequestion usedbeing forsubmitted election-related,at scholarly,the journalistic,election politicalor primary, or governmentalloiter purposes,or aspeddle determinedor byoffer theany Secretaryadvertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius of theseventy-five State,feet andof (B)any shalloutside notentrance bein useduse as an entry to any building that contains any locationdesignatedby theregistrarsofvoters for early voting or in any personal,corridor, privatepassageway or commercialother purpose,approach including,leading butfrom notany limitedsuch to,outside (i)entrance harassmentto ofany LCOsuch 9location ofor 32in Substituteany Billroom No.opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach.

5498(2) anyExcept voteras orprovided voter'sin household,subdivision (ii)(3) advertising,of solicitation,this salesubsection, orno marketingperson shall be allowed within any location designated by the registrars of productsvoters orfor servicesearly tovoting for any voterpurpose other than casting such person's vote, except (A) primary officials under section 9-436, (B) election officials under section 9-258, including (i) a municipal clerk or voter'sregistrar household,of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (iii)(ii) reproductiona deputy registrar of suchvoters, informationwho inis print,a broadcastcandidate visualfor orthe audiooffice orof displayregistrar onof thevoters, Internetperforming orsuch anyofficial's computerduties, terminal.and (C) unofficial checkers under section 9-235.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any motor vehicle operator's license number, identity card number or Social Security number on a voter registration record shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, if a voter submits to the Secretary of the State a signed statement that nondisclosure of such voter's name from the official registry list is necessary for the safety of such voter or the voter's family, the name and address of such voter on his or her voter registration record shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, except that an election, primary orreferendumofficialmayviewsuchinformationontheofficialregistry list when such list is used by any such official at a polling place on the day of an election, primary or referendum.

Such signed statement shall be sworn under penalty of false statement, as provided in section 53a- 157b.

Sec.

11.

Subsection (h) of section 9-163aa of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

(h) (1) No person shall solicit on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate or on behalf of or in opposition to any question being submitted at the election or primary, or loiter or peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius of seventy-five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any location designated by the registrars of voters for early voting or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such outside entrance to any such location or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, no person LCO 10 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 shall be allowed within any location designated by the registrars of voters for early voting for any purpose other than casting such person's vote, except (A) primary officials under section 9-436, (B) election officials under section 9-258, including (i) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (ii) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties, and (C) unofficial checkers under section 9-235.

12.13.

(j)Public (1)Act NoNo. person shall solicit on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate or on behalf of or in opposition to any question being submitted at the election, or loiter or peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a radius of seventy- five feet of any outside entrance in use as an entry to any location designated by the registrars of voters for same-day election registration balloting or inanycorridor,passageway orother approachleadingfrom any such outside entrance to any such location or in any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach.

(2)24-148 Except13 as provided in subdivision (3) of this35 subsection, no person shall be allowed within any location designated by the registrars of votersfor same-day election registrationballoting for any purpose other than casting such person's vote, except (A) primary officials under LCO 11 of 32 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 section(j) 9-436,(1) (B)No electionperson officialsshall undersolicit sectionon 9-258,behalf includingof (i)or ain municipalopposition clerkto any candidate or registraron behalf of voters,or whoin isopposition ato candidateany forquestion being submitted at the sameelection, office,or andloiter (ii)or peddle or offer any advertising matter, ballot or circular to another person within a deputyradius registrarof seventy- five feet of voters,any whooutside isentrance ain candidateuse foras an entry to any building that contains any location designated by the officeregistrars of registrarvoters offor voters,same- performingday election registration balloting or in any corridor, passageway or other approach leading from any such official'soutside duties,entrance andto (C)any unofficialsuch checkerslocation underor sectionin 9-235.any room opening upon any such corridor, passageway or approach.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, no person shall be allowed within any location designated by the registrars of votersfor same-day electionregistration balloting for any purpose other than casting such person's vote, except (A) primary officials under section 9-436, (B) election officials under section 9-258, including (i) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (ii) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties, and (C) unofficial checkers under section 9-235.

13.14.

(c)Public NoAct personNo. shall be allowed within any polling place for any purpose other than casting his or her vote, except (1) those permitted or exempt under this section or section 9-236a, (2) primary officials under section 9-436, (3) election officials under section 9-258, including (A) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, performing his or her official duties, and (B) a deputy registrar of voters, who isacandidate for theoffice ofregistrarofvoters,performing his or her official duties, or (4) [party] unofficial checkers under section 9-235.

24-148 14 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 (c) No person shall be allowed within any polling place for any purpose other than casting his or her vote, except (1) those permitted or exempt under this section or section 9-236a, (2) primary officials under section 9-436, (3) election officials under section 9-258, including (A) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, performing his or her official duties, and (B) a deputy registrar of voters, who isacandidate for theoffice ofregistrarofvoters,performing his or her official duties, or (4) [party] unofficial checkers under section 9-235.

for the purpose of observing the activities taking place in the polling place, provided there is proper LCOparental 12or teacher supervision present, and provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with the orderly process of 32voting Substituteshall Billbe No.evicted by the moderator.

5498 parental or teacher supervision present, and provided further, any such student who in any way interferes with the orderly process of voting shall be evicted by the moderator.

14.15.

(a)Except asprovidedinsubsection(b)ofthis section,at any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots shall, within existing resources, be counted in the manner provided in section 9-150a at a central location designated by the registrars of voters in writing to the municipal clerk at least twenty days before the election, primary or referendum,Public whichAct locationNo. shall be published in the warning for the election, primary or referendum.

24-148 15 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 referendum, which location shall be published in the warning for the election, primary or referendum.

Any member of the public may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such central location, provided no candidate for election or nomination shall be allowed withinto suchparticipate centralin location during such counting, except (1) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (2) a deputy registrar of voters, who isacandidateis a candidate for theofficethe ofregistrarofvoters,performingoffice of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties.

Any election LCOofficial 13serving in a polling place may observe the counting of 32absentee Substituteballots Billat No.such polling place, provided no candidate for election or nomination shall be allowed within such polling place during the hours of voting for any purpose other than casting such candidate's vote and no such candidate shall be allowed to participate in such counting, except (1) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (2) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties.

5498 official serving in a polling place may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such polling place, provided no candidate for election or nomination shall be allowed within such polling place during such counting, except (1) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (2) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties.

15.

Section 9-453e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

Each circulator of a nominating petition page shall be a United States citizen [,] and at least eighteen years of age, [and a resident of a town in this state] and shall not be on parole for conviction of a felony.

Any individual proposed as a candidate in any nominating petition may serve as circulator of the pages of such nominating petition.

Sec.

Section 9-453j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

Each page of a nominating petition submitted to the town clerk or [the]Secretary oftheState andfiledwiththeSecretary oftheState under the provisions of sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or section 9-216 shall contain a statement as to the residency [in this state] and eligibility of the circulator and as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon, signed under [penalties] penalty of false statement, by the person who circulated the same.

Such statement shall set forth (1) [such] the circulator'sresidence address,including thetown [inthis state]inwhich [such] the circulator is a resident, (2) if the circulator is not a resident in this state, that the circulator agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this stateinanycaseorcontroversyarisingoutoforrelatedtothecirculation of a petition pursuant to this subpart, (3) the circulator's date of birth and that the circulator is at least eighteen years of age, [(3)] (4) that the circulator is a United States citizen and not on parole for conviction of a felony, and [(4)] (5) that each person whose name appears on such page signed the same in person in the presence of [such] the circulator and LCO 14 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 that either the circulator knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified [himself] such signer to the circulator.

Any false statement committed with respect to such statement shall be deemed to have been committed in the town in which the petition was circulated.

Sec.17.Subsections(a)and(b)ofsection9-453kofthegeneralstatutes arerepealedandthefollowingissubstitutedinlieuthereof(EffectiveJuly 1, 2024):

(a) The town clerk or Secretary of the State shall not accept any page of a nominating petition unless the circulator thereof has signed before [him] the clerk or Secretary, or an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29, the statement as to the residency [in this state] and eligibility of the circulator and as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon required by section 9-453j, as amended by this act.

(b) The town clerk or Secretary of the State, or an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29, shall certify on each such page that the circulator thereof signed such statement in [his] the presence of the clerk, Secretary or appropriate person, as applicable, and that either [he] the clerk, Secretary or appropriate person, as applicable, knows the circulator or that the circulator satisfactorily identified [himself] such circulator to the individual so certifying.

Sec.

18.

Section 9-453o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

(a) The Secretary of the State may not count, for purposes of determining compliance with the number of signatures required by section 9-453d, the signatures certified by the town clerk on any petition page filed under sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, or 9-216 if:

(1) The name of the candidate, [his] such candidate's address or the party designation, if any, hasbeen omittedfromtheface of the petition;

(2)the page does not contain a statement by the circulator as to the residency [in this state] and eligibility of the circulator and as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon as required by section 9-453j, as amended by this act, or upon which such statement of the circulator is incomplete in LCO 15 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 any respect;

or (3) the page does not contain the certifications required by sections 9-453a to 9-453s, inclusive, by the town clerk of the town in which thesignersreside.

The town clerk shall cure any omissionon [his] the clerk's part by signing any such page at the office of the Secretary of the State and making the necessary amendment or by filing a separate statement in this regard, which amendment shall be dated.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Secretary of the State shall approve [every] each nominating petition which contains sufficient signatures counted and certified on approved pages by the town clerks.

In the case of a candidate who petitions under a reserved party designation the Secretary shall approve the petition only if it meets the signature requirement and if a statement endorsing such candidate is filed with the Secretary by the party designation committee not later than four o'clock p.m.

on the sixty-second day before the election.

In the case of a candidate who petitions under a party designationwhichisthesameasthenameofaminorpartytheSecretary shall approve the petition only if it meets the signature requirement and if a statement endorsing such candidate is filed in the office of the Secretaryby thechairmanor secretaryofsuchminor partynotlaterthan four o'clock p.m.

on the sixty-second day before the election.

No candidate shall be qualified to appear on any ballot by nominating petition unless the candidate's petition is approved by the Secretary pursuant to this subsection.

(c) The Secretary of the State may approve a nominating petition received under section 9-453k, as amended by this act, at any time except such approval shall be withdrawn if sufficient signatures are withdrawn under section 9-453h.

Sec.19.Subsections(c)and(d)ofsection9-404bofthegeneralstatutes arerepealedandthefollowingissubstitutedinlieuthereof(EffectiveJuly 1, 2024):

(c) The names of enrolled party members signing a primary petition may be on several pages, provided no person shall sign more than one LCO 16 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 petition page for the same candidate or candidates.

Any person who signs a name other than the person's own to a primary petition filed under the provisions of this section or who signs a name other than the person's own as circulator of such petition shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Each such page shall indicate the candidate or candidates supported, the offices sought and the political party for which nomination is being sought.

No page of such a petition shall contain the names of enrolled party members residing in different municipalities and any petition page that has been certified by the registrars of voters of two or more municipalities shall be rejected by the Secretary.

Withdrawal of petition signatures shall not be permitted.

(d) [Each] Any person qualified to vote under the laws of any state or territory of the United States may be a circulator of a primary petition page [shall be] if such person (1) is an enrolled party member of a municipality in this state, [.

Each] or (2) agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this state in any case or controversy arising out of or related to the circulation of a primary petition.

For any circulator described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, each petition page shall contain a statement signed by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which the circulator is an enrolled party member attesting that the circulator is an enrolled party member in the municipality.

For any circulator described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, each petition page shallcontaina statement signedbythecirculatorthatthecirculator agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this state in any case or controversy arising out of or related to the circulation of a primary petition, which signed statement shall be attested to by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which such page was circulated.

Unless such [a] an attested statement by the registrar of voters appears on each page so submitted, the Secretary shall reject the page.

Each separate page of the petition shall contain a statement as to the authenticity ofthe signatures on the page and the number of such signatures, and shall be signed under the [penalties] penalty of false statement by the person who circulated the page, setting forth the circulator's address and the LCO 17 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member and attesting that each person whose name appears on the page signed the petition in person in the presence of the circulator, that the circulator either knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified [himself or herself] such signer to the circulator and that the spaces for candidates supported, offices sought and the political party involved were filled in prior to the obtaining of the signatures.

Each separate page of the petition shall also be acknowledged before an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29.

The Secretary shall reject any page of a petition filed with the Secretary which does not contain such a statement by the circulator as to the authenticity of the signatures on the page, or upon which the statement of the circulator is incomplete in any respect, or which does not contain the [certification] attested statement required under this section by the registrar of voters of the town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member or in which the page was circulated.

Any individual proposed as a candidate in any primary petition may serve as a circulator of the pages of the petition, provided the individual's service as circulator does not violate any provision of this section.

Sec.

20.

Section 9-410 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

(a) The petition form for candidacies for nomination to municipal office or for election as members of town committees shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which the candidacy is to be filed or duplicate petition pages shall be produced in accordance with section 9-409, and signatures shall be obtained only on such forms or such duplicate petition pages.

Such form shall include, at the top of the form and in bold print, the following:

WARNING IT IS A CRIME TO SIGN THIS PETITION IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON LCO 18 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO AND YOU MAY NOT SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU ARE NOT AN ELECTOR.

The form shall include thereon a statement of instructions to persons using the form and shall indicate the date and time by which it shall be filed and the person with whom it shall be filed.

The form shall provide spaces for the names and addresses of the candidates, the offices to which nomination is sought or the positions to which election is sought and the political party holding the primary, and shall provide lines for the signatures, street addresses, dates of birth and the printing of the names of enrolled party members supporting the person or persons on behalfofwhosecandidacythepetitionisused.Onlyasmanycandidates may be proposed in any one primary petition for the same office or position as are to be nominated or chosen by such party for such office or position;

but any one primary petition may propose as many candidates for different offices or positions as there are nominations to be made or positions to be filled.

(b) The names of enrolled party members signing a primary petition need not all be on one sheet but may be on several sheets, but no person shall sign more than one petition page for the same candidate or candidates.

Any person who signs a name other than the person's own to a primary petition filed under the provisions of this section or who signs a name other than the person's own as circulator of such a petition shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

Each such sheet shall indicate the candidate or candidatessupported,theofficesor positionssought andthepolitical partythenominationofwhichissought or whichisholding theprimary for election of town committee members.

No page of such a petition shall contain the names of enrolled party members residing in different municipalities and any page thereof which has been certified by the registrars of voters of two or more municipalities shall be rejected by the registrar of voters.

Withdrawal of petition signatures shall not be LCO 19 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 permitted.

(c) [Each] Any person qualified to vote under the laws of any state or territory of the United States may be a circulator of a primary petition page [shall be] if such person (1) is an enrolled party member of a municipality in this state, [who is entitled to vote.

Each] or (2) agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this state in any case or controversy arising out of or related to the circulation of a primary petition.

For any circulator described in subdivision (1) of this subsection, each petition page shall contain a statement signed by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which such circulator is an enrolled party member attesting that the circulator is an enrolled party member in such municipality.

For any circulator described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, each petition page shall contain a statement signed by the circulator that the circulator agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of this stateinanycaseorcontroversyarising outoforrelatedtothecirculation of a primary petition, which signed statement shall be attested to by the registrar of voters of the municipality in which such page was circulated.

Unless such [a] an attested statement by the registrar of voters appears on each page so submitted, the registrar of voters shall reject such page.

No candidate for the nomination of a party for a municipal office or the position of town committee member shall circulate any petition for another candidate or another group of candidates contained in one primary petition for the nomination of such party for the same office or position, and any petition page circulated in violation of this provision shall be rejected by the registrar of voters.

No person shall circulate petitions for more than the maximum number of candidates to be nominated by a party for the same office or position, and any petition page circulated in violation of this provision shall be rejected by the registrar of voters.

Each separate sheet of such petition shall contain a statement as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon and the number of such signatures, and shall be signed under the [penalties] penalty of false statement by the person who circulated the same, setting forth such circulator's address and the town in which such circulator is an enrolled party member and attesting that each person LCO 20 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 whose name appears on such sheet signed the same in person in the presence of such circulator, that the circulator either knows each such signer or that the signer satisfactorily identified [the] such signer to the circulator and that the spaces for candidates supported, offices or positions sought and the political party involved were filled in prior to theobtaining ofthesignatures.Eachseparate sheet ofsuchpetitionshall also be acknowledged before an appropriate person as provided in section 1-29.

Any sheet of a petition filed with the registrar of voters which does not contain such a statement by the circulator as to the authenticity of the signatures thereon, or upon which the statement of the circulator is incomplete in any respect, orwhich does not contain the [certification hereinbefore required] attested statement required under this section by the registrar of voters of the town in which the circulator is an enrolled party member or in which the page was circulated, shall be rejected by the registrar of voters.

Any individual proposed as a candidate in any primary petition may serve as a circulator of the pages of such petition, provided such individual's service as circulator does not violate any provision of this section.

Sec.

21.

(a) Any elector who is permanently physically disabled or suffering 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-Public termAct illnessNo. and unable to appear in person at such elector's designated polling location, shall be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status and shall receive an absentee ballot for each election, primary or referendum conducted in such elector's municipality for which such elector iseligible to vote.

24-148 16 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 suchelectorispermanentlyphysicallydisabledorsufferingfromalong- term illness and unable to appear in person at such elector's designated polling location, shall be eligible for permanent absentee ballot status and shall receive an absentee ballot for each election, primary or referendum conducted in such elector's municipality for which such elector iseligible to vote.

LCO(b) 21The registrars of 32voters Substituteshall Billsend No.written notice to each such elector with permanent absentee ballot status in January of each year, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, for the purpose of determining if such elector continues to reside at the address indicated on the elector's permanent absentee ballot application.

5498 (b) The registrars of voters shall send written notice to each such elector with permanent absentee ballot status in January of each year, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State, for the purpose of determining if such elector continues to reside at the address indicated on the elector's permanent absentee ballot application.

22.17.

Subsection (a) of section 9-320f of the 2024 supplement to the generalPublic statutesAct isNo. repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

24-148 17 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

LCOFor 22the purposes of 32this Substitutesection, Billany No.central location used in a municipality for the counting of absentee ballots, early voting ballots or same-day election registration ballots shall be deemed a voting district.

5498 For the purposes of this section, any central location used in a municipality for the counting of absentee ballots, early voting ballots or same-day election registration ballots shall be deemed a voting district.

23.18.

If any party has nominated a candidate for office, or, on and after November 4, 1981, if a candidate has qualified to appear on any ballot by nominating petition under a reserved party designation, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and such nominee thereafter, but prior to forty-six days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, dies, withdraws such nominee's name or for any reason becomes disqualified toPublic holdAct theNo. office for which such nominee has been nominated, (1) such party or, on and after November 4, 1981, the party designation committee may make a nomination to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such nomination as its rules prescribe, and (2) if another party that is qualified to nominate a candidate for such office does not have a nominee for such office, such party may also nominate a candidate for such office as its rules prescribe.

24-148 18 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 to hold the office for which such nominee has been nominated, (1) such party or, on and after November 4, 1981, the party designation committee may make a nomination to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such nomination as its rules prescribe, and (2) if another party that is qualified to nominate a candidate for such office does not have a nominee for such office, such party may also nominate a candidate for such office as its rules prescribe.

No nomination to fill a vacancy under this section shall be valid unless it is LCOcertifiedto 23theSecretary oftheState inthecase ofastate or district office or the office of 32state Substitutesenator Billor No.state representative from any district, or to the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office other than state senator or state representative, by the organization or committee making such nomination, at least forty-two days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election, except as otherwise provided by this section.

5498 certifiedto theSecretary oftheState inthecase ofastate or district office or the office of state senator or state representative from any district, or to the municipal clerk in the case of a municipal office other than state senator or state representative, by the organization or committee making such nomination, at least forty-two days before the opening of the polls on the day of the election, except as otherwise provided by this section.

If a nominee dies within twenty-four hours before the commencement of the period of early voting at the election and prior to the close of the polls on the day of the election for which such nomination has been made, such nominee shall not be replaced and the votes cast for such nominee shall be canvassed and counted, and if such nomineePublic receivesAct aNo. plurality of the votes cast, a vacancy shall exist in the office for which the nomination was made.

24-148 19 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 nominee receives a plurality of the votes cast, a vacancy shall exist in the office for which the nomination was made.

LCOSec. 24 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

549819. Sec.

24.

The name of each candidatePublic forAct stateNo. or district office or for the municipal offices of state senator or state representative shall appear on the ballot as it appears on the certificate or statement of consent filed under section 9-388, 9-391, 9- 400 or 9-409.

24-148 20 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 candidate for state or district office or for the municipal offices of state senator or state representative shall appear on the ballot as it appears on the certificate or statement of consent filed under section 9-388, 9-391, 9- or 9-409.

25.20.

LCO(g) 25The name of 32each Substitutecandidate Billshall No.appear on the ballot in such position as is [hereinbefore] required in this section, and such position shall be determined as of the final time for filing candidacies specified in section 9-400 or 9-405.

5498 (g) The name of each candidate shall appear on the ballot in such position as is [hereinbefore] required in this section, and such position shall be determined as of the final time for filing candidacies specified in section 9-400 or 9-405.

If a vacancy occurs in a party- endorsedPublic candidacyAct andNo. a person is chosen in accordance with section 9-426 or 9-428, as amended by this act, to fill the resulting vacancy in candidacy, the name of the person so chosen shall appear in the same position as that in which the name of the vacating candidate appeared.

24-148 21 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 endorsed candidacy and a person is chosen in accordance with section 9-426 or 9-428, as amended by this act, to fill the resulting vacancy in candidacy, the name of the person so chosen shall appear in the same position as that in which the name of the vacating candidate appeared.

26.21.

(a) If a party-endorsed candidate for election to the position of town committee member, prior to twenty-four hours before the opening of the polls at the primary, dies or, prior to ten days before the day of such primary, withdraws his name from nomination or for any reason LCObecomes 26disqualified to hold the position for which he is a candidate, the state central committee, the town committee or other authority of 32the Substituteparty Billwhich endorsed such candidate may make an endorsement to fillsuchvacancyorprovideforthemakingofsuchendorsement,in such manner as is prescribed in the rules of such party, and certify to the registrar and municipal clerk or to the Secretary of the State, as the case may be,thename ofthe personso endorsed.Ifsuch certificationis made at least twenty-four hours prior to the opening of the polls at the Public Act No.

549824-148 becomes22 disqualified to hold the position for which he is a candidate, the state central committee, the town committee or other authority of the35 partySubstitute whichHouse endorsedBill suchNo. candidate may make an endorsement to fillsuchvacancyorprovideforthemakingofsuchendorsement,insuch manner as is prescribed in the rules of such party, and certify to the registrar and municipal clerk or to the Secretary of the State, as the case may be,thename ofthe personso endorsed.Ifsuch certificationis made at least twenty-four hours prior to the opening of the polls at the primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has died, or at least seven days before the day of such primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has withdrawn or become disqualified, such person so endorsed shall run in the primary as the party-endorsed candidate, except as provided in sections 9-416 and 9-417.

5498 primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has died, or at least seven days before the day of such primary, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has withdrawn or become disqualified, such person so endorsed shall run in the primary as the party-endorsed candidate, except as provided in sections 9-416 and 9-417.

provided, in the case of such an endorsement to replace a candidate who has died, if such certification has been made less than ninety-six hours but at least twenty-four hours prior to the opening of the polls at the primary, such Secretary or registrar shall direct such clerk to have stickers printed and inserted upon the ballots, having the name of the person so certified appearing thereon, and the moderator in each polling place shall cause such stickersto bepastedontheballotsbeforetheopening oftheofthepollsatsuch pollsatsuch primary.

(b) If a party-endorsed candidate for nomination to an office, prior to twenty-four hours before the commencement of the period of early voting at the primary, dies or, prior to ten days before the first day of such period of early voting, withdraws his name from nominationor for LCOany 27reason becomes disqualified to hold the office for which he is a candidate, the state central committee, the town committee or other authority of 32the Substituteparty Billwhich endorsed such candidate may make an endorsement to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such endorsement, in such manner as is prescribed in the rules of such party, and certify to the registrar and municipal clerk or to the Secretary of the Public Act No.

549824-148 any23 reason becomes disqualified to hold the office for which he is a candidate, the state central committee, the town committee or other authority of the35 partySubstitute whichHouse endorsedBill suchNo. candidate may make an endorsement to fill such vacancy or provide for the making of such endorsement, in such manner as is prescribed in the rules of such party, and certify to the registrar and municipal clerk or to the Secretary of the State, as the case may be, the name of the person so endorsed.

5498 State, as the case may be, the name of the person so endorsed.

If such certification of another party-endorsed candidate has been made within the time specified in this section, and if the ballots have already been printed and the names of the candidates for such office appear on the ballots, the Secretary of the State or the registrar, as the case may be, shall direct the clerk of each municipality holding such primary to have the ballots reprinted with the name of the person so certifiedincludedthereon;provided,inthecase ofsuchanendorsementof suchanendorsement to replace a candidate who has died, if such certification has been made less than ninety-six hours but at least twenty-four hours prior to the commencement of the period of early voting at the primary, such Secretary or registrar shall direct such clerk to have stickers printed and inserted upon the ballots, having the name of the person so certified appearing thereon, and the moderator in each polling place shall cause such stickers to be pasted on the ballots before the opening of the polls at such primary.

27.22.

LCO(d) 28If ofa 32vacancy Substitutein Billcandidacy occurs after the ballots have been printed, the clerk may either reprint the ballots or cause [blank or] printed stickers [, as the case may be,] to be affixed to them so that the Public Act No.

549824-148 (d)24 If a vacancy in candidacy occurs after the ballots have been printed, the clerk may either reprint the ballots or cause [blank or] printed stickers [, as the case may be,] to be affixed to them so that the name of any35 candidateSubstitute whoHouse hasBill vacatedNo. his candidacy is deleted and the name of any candidate chosen to fill the vacancy as provided in section 9-428, as amended by this act, or section 9-460, as amended by this act, appears in the same position as that in which the vacated candidacy appeared except as provided in section 9-426 or 9-453s.

5498 name of any candidate who has vacated his candidacy is deleted and the name of any candidate chosen to fill the vacancy as provided in section 9-428, as amended by this act, or section 9-460, as amended by this act, appears in the same position as that in which the vacated candidacy appeared except as provided in section 9-426 or 9-453s.

28.23.

29.24.

(NEW)Subdivision (Effective(1) from passage) Not later than July 1, 2024, the Secretary of thesubsection State(g) shall revise each form, whether in paper or electronic format, that is provided for under the provisions of chaptersection 1439-7a of the general statutes asis anrepealed application for admission as an elector or enrollment in a political party, for the purposes of clarifying the portion of such form regarding party affiliation and minimizing potential confusion or other ambiguity related to the usefollowing ofis anysubstituted wordin thatlieu maythereof be(Effective includedJuly as1, part2024): of a reserved party designation recorded by the Secretary pursuant to section 9-453u of the general statutes.

Sec.(g) (1) In the case of a written complaint filed with the commission pursuant to section 9-7b, commission staff shall conduct and complete a preliminary examination of such complaint by the fourteenth day following its receipt, at which time such staff shall, at its discretion, (A) dismiss the complaint for failure to allege any substantial violation of state election law supported by evidence, (B) engage the respondent in discussions in an effort to speedily resolve any matter pertaining to a de minimis violation, or (C) investigate and docket the complaint for a determination by the commission that probable cause or no probable Public Act No.

30.24-148 25 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

Subdivision5498 (1)cause ofexists subsectionfor (g)any ofsuch sectionviolation. 9-7a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof LCO 29 of 32 Substitute Bill No.

5498 (Effective July 1, 2024):

(g) (1) In the case of a written complaint filed with the commission pursuant to section 9-7b, commission staff shall conduct and complete a preliminary examination of such complaint by the fourteenth day following its receipt, at which time such staff shall, at its discretion, (A) dismiss the complaint for failure to allege any substantial violation of state election law supported by evidence, (B) engage the respondent in discussions in an effort to speedily resolve any matter pertaining to a de minimis violation, or (C) investigate and docket the complaint for a determination by the commission that probable cause or no probable cause exists for any such violation.

For any complaint received on or after January 1, 2018, if the commission does not, by one year following receipt of such complaint, issue a decision thereon, the commission shall dismiss such complaint, provided the length of time of any delay caused by (i) the commission or commission staff granting any extension or continuance to a respondent prior to the issuance of any such decision, (ii) any subpoena issued in connection with such complaint, (iii) any litigation in state or federal court related to such complaint, or (iv) any investigation by, or consultation of the LCOcommission 30or commission staff with, the Chief State's Attorney, the Attorney General, the United States Department of 32Justice Substituteor Billthe No.United States Attorney for Connecticut related to such complaint, shall be added to such one year.

5498For commissionany complaint received on or commissionafter staffJuly with,1, 2024, if the Chiefcommission State'sdoes Attorney,not, by the Attorneyninetieth General,day following the Unitedcommission's Statesdetermination Departmentthat ofprobable Justicecause orexists thefor Unitedany Statesviolation Attorneyof forstate Connecticutelection relatedlaws, toissue a decision on such complaint, the commission shall berefer addedsuch complaint to suchthe oneChief year.State's Attorney pursuant to subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 9-7b for further Public Act No.

For24-148 any26 complaint received on or after July 1, 2024, if the commission does not, by the ninetieth day following the commission's determination that probable cause exists for any violation of state35 electionSubstitute laws,House issueBill aNo. decision on such complaint, the commission shall refer such complaint to the Chief State's Attorney for further enforcement action.

In5498 the case of any complaint so referred under this subdivision, the Chief State's Attorney shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, detailing the status of any enforcement actionaction. related to such referred complaint.

ThisNot actlater than twelve months after the referral to the Chief State's Attorney of any complaint under this subdivision, or not later than the expiration of the period of time prescribed by section 54-193 for the violation of state election laws alleged in any such complaint, whichever occurs first, the Chief State's Attorney shall takesubmit effecta asreport followsto the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections and shallthe amendjudiciary, in accordance with the followingprovisions sections:of section 11-4a, detailing the status of any enforcement action related to such referred complaint.

Section 1 from passage 9-140b(c) Sec.

225. July 1, 2024 9-140c(a) Sec.

3Subdivision from(1) passageof 9-153bsubsection Sec.(b) of section 9-163aa of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

4(b) (1) The registrars of voters of each municipality shall designate a location for the conduct of early voting,which location shall be the same for the duration of the period of early voting except as otherwise specified in this subdivision, provided (A) the registrars of voters have access to the state-wide centralized voter registration system from passagesuch 9-364location, Sec.and (B) such location is certified in writing to the Secretary of the State not later than [one hundred twenty] sixty days prior to the day of [a regular election or a primary, other than a presidential preference primary, or not later than twenty days prior to the day of a special election or a presidential preference] an election or a primary.

5The fromwritten passagecertification 9-364aunder Sec.subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall provide (i) the name, street address and relevant contact information associated with such location, (ii) the number of election or primary officials to be appointed by the registrars of voters to serve at such location and the roles of such officials, and (iii) a description of the design of such location and a plan for effective conduct of such early voting.

6The JanuarySecretary 1,shall 2025approve 9-139a(a)or anddisapprove (b)such Sec.written certification not later than [ninety] forty-five days prior to the day of [a regular election or a primary, other than a presidential preference Public Act No.

724-148 July27 1,of 202435 9-140(a)Substitute Sec.House Bill No.

85498 fromprimary, passageor 9-50cnot Sec.later than fifteen days prior to the day of a special election or a presidential preference] an election or a primary.

9If Julythe 1,Secretary 2024disapproves 9-50bsuch Sec.certification, the Secretary shall provide, in writing, the reasons for such disapproval and shall issue an order for such corrective action as the Secretary deems necessary, including, but not limited to, the appointment of additional election or primary officials or the alteration of such design or plan.

10After Octoberhaving 1,received 2024approval 9-50dof Sec.such certification or having complied with any order for corrective action to the Secretary's satisfaction, as applicable, the registrars of voters shall determine the site of such location designated for the conduct of early voting at least thirty-one days prior to [a regular election or a primary, other than a presidential preference primary, or at least eleven days prior to a special election or a presidential preference] an election or a primary.

11Such Julylocation 1,shall 2024not 9-163aa(h)be Sec.changed withinsuchperiod,except,ifthemunicipalclerkandregistrarsofvoters unanimously find that such location has been rendered unusable within such period, such clerk and registrars shall forthwith designate another locationfortheconduct ofearlyvoting to beusedinplace ofthelocation so rendered unusable and shall give adequate notice that such location has been so changed.

12The Julyprovisions 1,of 2024sections 9-19j(j)9-168d Sec.and 9-168e shall apply to such location designated for the conduct of early voting.

13 July 1, 2024 9-236(c) Sec.

1426. July 1, 2024 9-147a Sec.

15Subdivision July(4) 1,of subsection (b) of section 9-163aa of the 2024 9-453esupplement Sec.to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

16(4) July(A) 1,The 2024registrars 9-453jof Sec.voters shall appoint, for each day on which early voting is conducted, a moderator and such other election or primary officials to serve at each location designated for such conduct.

17The Julymoderator 1,so 2024appointed 9-453k(a)shall perform any duty required, and (b)may Sec.exercise any power authorized, under this title related to the conduct of early voting at such location.

18On Julyany 1,such 2024day 9-453oand Sec.solely for purposes related to the conduct of early voting, the registrars of voters of a Public Act No.

1924-148 July28 1,of 202435 9-404b(c)Substitute andHouse (d)Bill Sec.No.

205498 Julymunicipality 1,may, 2024upon 9-410agreement, LCOappoint 31one of 32the Substituteregistrars Billfrom No.such municipality as moderator in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (B) of this subdivision.

5498The Sec.registrars of voters may delegate to each other election or primary official so appointed any of the responsibilities assigned to the registrars of voters.

21The fromregistrars passageof 9-140evoters Sec.shall supervise each such official and train each such official to be an early voting election or primary official.

22(B) JulyWhenever 1,the 2024registrars 9-320f(a)of Sec.voters of a municipality appoint, pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, one of the registrars of such municipality as moderator to serve at a location designated for the conduct of early voting, such registrars of voters shall jointly submit to the Secretary of the State (i) a certification that the registrars of voters of such municipality are in agreement as to such appointment, and (ii) a written plan detailing alternative coverage of the duties normally carried out by the registrar so appointed to ensure that such registrar abstains, on each day in which such registrar serves as moderator, from any such duties that conflict with those of the moderator.

23 July 1, 2024 9-460 Sec.

2427. July 1, 2024 9-437(a) July 1, 2024 Sec.

25Subsection 9-437(g)(a) Sec.of section 9-21a of the general statutes is repealedandthefollowingissubstitutedinlieuthereof(EffectiveJanuary 1, 2025):

26(a) JulyThe 1,Secretary 2024of 9-428the Sec.State, at [such times as the Secretary determines, may] least annually, shall cause a search to be made of computerized voter registration records to identify electors who may be registered in more than one town or registered more than once in the same town.

27The JulySecretary 1,[may] 2024shall 9-135b(d)compile, Sec.from such search, a list of possible duplicate registrations in any town or towns and shall transmit such list to the registrars of voters of the appropriate town or towns.

28 July 1, 2024 9-472 Sec.

2928. from passage New section Sec.

30Subsections July(a) 1,and (b) of section 9-19k of the 2024 9-7a(g)(1)supplement GAEto Jointthe Favorablegeneral Subst.statutes are repealed and the following is Public Act No.

JUD24-148 Joint29 Favorableof LCO35 32Substitute ofHouse 32Bill No.

5498 substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):

(a) The Secretary of theState shall establish and maintain a system for online voter registration.

Such system shall also permit a registered elector to apply for changes to such elector's registration.

An applicant may register to vote through this system, provided the applicant's (1) registration information is verifiable in the manner described in subsection (b) of this section, and (2) signature is in a database described in said subsection (b) and such signature may be imported into such system for online voter registration.

(b) A state agency, upon the request of the Secretary of the State, shall provide any information to the Secretary that the Secretary deems necessary to maintain the system for online voter registration.

The Secretary may cross reference the information input into the system by applicants with data or information contained in any state agency's database or a database administered by the federal government, or any voter registration database of another state, in order to verify the information submitted by applicants, except that the Secretary shall, notwithstanding the provisions of section 9-20a, cross reference such input information with the list compiled by the Jury Administrator pursuant to subsection (c) of section 51-222a and made available to the Secretary pursuant to section 29 of this act in order to attempt to verify such submitted information.

The Secretary shall not use the information obtainedfromanysuchdatabase except toverify informationsubmitted by the applicant, provided the applicant's signature, if part of data contained in the state agency's database, shall be included as part of the applicant's information contained in the system for online voter registration.

Sec.

29.

(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) Not later than thirty days after theJury Administratorcompilesthe list ofallqualifiedjurorsinthestate pursuant to subsection (c) of section 51-222a of the general statutes, the Jury Administrator shall make such list available to the Secretary of the Public Act No.

24-148 30 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 State for the purpose of verifying the information contained in the system for online voter registration established and maintained pursuant to section 9-19k of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

Sec.

30.

(Effective July 1, 2024) The Secretary of the State shall review the process by which languages other than English are translated for purposes of appearing on the ballot in municipalities where federal or state law requires such ballots to be made available in any such language.

Not later than January 15, 2025, the Secretary shall submit a report on the Secretary's recommendations concerning such process, including recommendations for preventing mistranslations on such ballots, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to elections, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

Sec.

31.

Section 1-217 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):

(a)No publicagency may disclose, under theFreedomof Information Act, from its personnel, medical or similar files, the residential address of any of the following persons employed by such public agency:

(1) A federal court judge, federal court magistrate, judge of the Superior Court, Appellate Court or Supreme Court of the state, or family support magistrate;

(2) A sworn member of a municipal police department, a sworn member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or a sworn law enforcement officer within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection;

(3) An employee of the Department of Correction;

(4) An attorney-at-law who represents or has represented the state in a criminal prosecution;

Public Act No.

24-148 31 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 (5) An attorney-at-law who is or has been employed by the Division of Public Defender Services or a social worker who is employed by the Division of Public Defender Services;

(6) An inspector employed by the Division of Criminal Justice;

(7) A firefighter;

(8) An employee of the Department of Children and Families;

(9) A member or employee of the Board of Pardons and Paroles;

(10) An employee of the judicial branch;

(11) An employee of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services who provides direct care to patients;

(12) A member or employee of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities;

or (13) A state marshal appointed by the State Marshal Commission pursuant to section 6-38b.

(b) The business address of any person described in this section, and the address of each town hall, city hall or other municipal building in which the office of the registrars of voters of a municipality is located, shall be subject to disclosure under section 1-210.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to Department of Motor Vehicles records described in section 14-10.

(c) (1) Except as provided in subsections (a) and [(d)] (e) of this section, no public agency may disclose the residential address of any person listed in subsection (a) of this section from any record described in subdivision (2) of this subsection that is requested in accordance with the provisions of said subdivision, regardless of whether such person is an employee of the public agency, provided such person has (A) Public Act No.

24-148 32 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 submitted a written request for the nondisclosure of the person's residential address to the public agency, and (B) furnished his or her business address to the public agency.

(2) Any public agency that receives a request for a record subject to disclosure under this chapter where such request (A) specifically names a person who has requested that his or her address be kept confidential under subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall make a copy of the record requested to be disclosed and shall redact the copy to remove such person's residential address prior to disclosing such record, (B) is for an existing list that is derived from a readily accessible electronic database, shall make a reasonable effort to redact the residential address of any person who has requested that his or her address be kept confidential under subdivision (1) of this subsection prior to the release of such list, or (C) is for any list that the public agency voluntarily creates in response to a request for disclosure, shall make a reasonable effort to redact the residential address of any person who has requested that his or her address be kept confidential under subdivision (1) of this subsection prior to the release of such list.

(3)Exceptasprovidedinsubsection(a)ofthissection,anagencyshall not be prohibited from disclosing the residential address of any person listed in subsection (a) of this section from any record other than the records described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(d)(1)Except asprovidedinsubsections(a)and(e)ofthissectionand subject to the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, no public agency of a municipality may disclose, under the Freedom of Information Act, from a public record, including any record described in subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section, theresidential address of any person who is a municipal clerk, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters, election official described in section 9-258, primary official described in section 9-436 or audit official described in section 9- Public Act No.

24-148 33 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 320f, as amended by this act, regardless of whether such person is an employee of the public agency, provided such person has (A) submitted to the municipality a written request for the nondisclosure of the person'sresidentialaddress,and (B) furnishedto themunicipality (i)his or her business address, or (ii) if such person does not have a business address, the address of the town hall, city hall or other municipal building in which the office of the registrars of voters of such municipality is located.

(2) (A) If a person submits a written request described in subdivision (1) of this subsection prior to the ninetiethday preceding an election,the prohibition in said subdivision against disclosing such person's residential address shall take effect on the ninetieth day preceding such election and shall expire on the ninetieth day following such election.

(B) If a person submits a written request described in subdivision (1) of this subsection on or after the ninetieth day preceding an election, the prohibition in said subdivision against disclosing such person's residential address shall take effect upon such submission and shall expire on the ninetieth day following such election.

(3)The provisionsofthissubsectionshallnot beconstruedto prohibit the disclosure of the residential address of any person described in subdivision (1) of this subsection in the case where such residential addressappearsona public recordby virtueofsuch personholding any elective or appointive state or municipal office other than municipal clerk, registrar of voters or deputy registrar of voters.

[(d)] (e) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the disclosure without redaction of any document, as defined in section 7-35bb, any list prepared under title 9, or any list published under section 12-55.

[(e)] (f) No public agency or public official or employee of a public Public Act No.

24-148 34 of 35 Substitute House Bill No.

5498 agency shall be penalized for violating a provision of this section, unless such violation is wilful and knowing.

Any complaint of such a violation shall be made to the Freedom of Information Commission.

Upon receipt of such a complaint, the commission shall serve upon the public agency, official or employee, as the case may be, by certified or registered mail, a copy of the complaint.

The commission shall provide the public agency, official or employee with an opportunity to be heard at a hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, unless the commission, upon motion of the public agency, official or employee or upon motion of the commission, dismisses the complaint without a hearing if it finds, after examining the complaint and construing all allegations most favorably to the complainant, that the public agency, official or employee has not wilfully and knowingly violated a provision of this section.

If the commission finds that the public agency, official or employee wilfully and knowingly violated a provision of this section, the commission may impose against such publicagency,official oremployeeacivilpenaltyofnotlessthantwenty dollarsnormore thanonethousanddollars.Nothing inthissectionshall be construed to allow a private right of action against a public agency, public official or employee of a public agency.

Approved June 6, 2024 Public Act No.

24-148 35 of 35