Bill > SB00653

This bill proposes several significant changes to election laws in Connecticut, focusing on six key areas: (1) prohibiting the unsolicited mailing of absentee ballot applications, which means election officials or organizations cannot automatically send blank ballot request forms to voters without their specific request; (2) requiring audits of same-day election registrations and follow-up confirmation notices to ensure the accuracy of voter registration processes; (3) mandating that election registrars verify that voters casting absentee ballots actually reside at the address listed on their ballot application; (4) implementing a photo identification requirement for both in-person and absentee voting, while ensuring that voters can obtain such identification free of charge, including free photocopies of ID from public libraries for absentee voting purposes; (5) establishing mandatory minimum sentences for certain felony election law violations to increase penalties for electoral misconduct; and (6) directing the Secretary of the State to develop a signature verification process that compares signatures on returned absentee ballots with those on the original ballot applications to help prevent potential voter fraud. These proposed changes aim to enhance election security, voter authentication, and the integrity of the voting process.

Government Affairs

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00653&which_year=2025