Here's How Elections Could Significantly Change In CT

HARTFORD, CT — The Government Administration and Elections Committee approved a number of bills that could lead to major changes in how Connecticut residents vote. The bills now head to the General Assembly for another vote.

Disclosure of Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidate Federal Taxes

Another bill would require presidential and gubernatorial candidates to publicly disclose at least two years worth of tax returns in order to appear on the ballot. Several other states are pushing for similar measures, but there is debate whether it would stand up to a court challenge. President Donald Trump didn’t release his tax returns, which bucked a decades-long trend among major party candidates.

Early In-Person Voting

Last week a committee approved a bill that could lead to early in-person voting via a constitutional amendment. The proposal still has a long way to go as it requires either a 75% majority in both the State House and Senate or to pass by a majority two years in a row in both houses before appearing as a question on the ballot.

Three states have all-mail voting and nearly 40 have some form of early voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Connecticut voters can either vote in-person on Election Day or apply and mail-in absentee ballot. The rules regarding who qualifies for an absentee ballot are strict. The process currently requires an application which is sent to the local Town Clerk who then sends a ballot before an election, primary or referendum. That ballot then has to be filled out and either mailed back or dropped off in-person before the Election Day deadline.

Election Day Registration

A number of bills would increase Election Day voter registration across the state. Some big cities have run into issues with low staffing levels coupled with a mass of last-minute registrants over the past few election cycles. Some registrants waited in line for four hours to register in New Haven last election.

Under current law, voters must be registered by 8 p.m. Election Day in order to cast a ballot. Those stuck in registration line when the clock strikes eight can’t vote. A bill proposed by Gov. Ned Lamont and approved by a committee would also allow those in line for Election-Day registration to vote after 8 p.m.

One bill would allow additional Election Day registration locations in towns and require that registrars of voters advise the Secretary of State office on the expected staffing levels. The bill passed unanimously out of committee.

Another bill that passed committee would give the Secretary of the State greater oversight over Election Day registration, including the power to make changes to local registrar of voter plans. It would also allow for a more streamlined process to eliminate bottlenecks in the registration process.

Election Day a State Holiday, Changes To Special Elections

An Act Increasing Voter Access would make Election Day a state holiday. State employees would get the day off and in exchange Lincoln’s birthday and George Washington’s birthday would be combined into a single day.

Special Elections, which generally have very low turnout would be allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Absentee Ballots
Another bill would allow two or more immediate family members who are absentee ballot applicants to return their ballots in a single envelope. It would also no longer require applicants to return an original of a completed application if the applicant has already submitted a copy to the town clerk by electronic means.

Political Ads
An Act Concerning Political Advertising would mandate that altered photos or illustrations be clearly highlighted in a disclaimer.

Last year a political ad was mailed that depicted then-Gov. Dan Malloy pinning a button on State Rep. James Albis that read “Taxes.” The original photo was Albis’ father pinning a boutonniere on Albis’ wedding day.

Another ad depicted Jewish State Sen. Matt Lesser as a deranged man holding a stack of money. The ad was criticized by many as being anti-semitic.