Lawmakers Approve Election Reform

State Rep. Matt Lesser, who represents Durham, Middlefield and Middletown and serves as Vice Chair of the Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee, hailed House passage of legislation to help ensure voter confidence in the integrity of elections and increase accountability.

An Act Concerning the Integrity of Elections (SB 942) was passed Wednesday, May 25, after receiving strong bipartisan support. The legislation will require local elections officials to report to the Secretary of the State’s office how many ballots they plan to purchase for elections, and certify that they have taken into account factors that may increase voter turnout.

“This bill ensures that we'll have no more repeats of the 2010 mess in Bridgeport,” said Lesser. “Today’s bill ensures that all of our towns are properly prepared for elections and that every Connecticut voter will have an opportunity to cast a ballot.”

In rare cases the Secretary of the State would be authorized to direct a municipality to order more ballots. Every town would also be required to have an emergency plan to address issues such as power outages and ballot shortages on Election Day.

The legislation also provides for enhanced training of moderators, who are in charge of running polling places and allows the Secretary of the State to fire moderators in cases of gross incompetence or misconduct.

"This was a team effort," Lesser added. "I want to thank Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Democratic and Republican leaders of the GAE Committee for putting politics aside to do the public's business."

The legislation, which has passed both chambers, now heads to Governor Malloy's desk.