Skip to main content

Connecticut Statutes § 9-147a Central counting of absentee ballots; designation of location by registrars of voters. Exception for counting in respective polling placesVersion dated Oct. 30, 2024

Statute Text

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) [ or (c) ] of this 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, which location shall be published in the warning for the election, primary or referendum. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, if unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, all absentee ballots shall be separated, counted, tallied and placed in depository envelopes by voting district. Any member of the public may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such central location.
(b) At any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots may be counted in the manner provided in section 9-150a in the respective polling places if the registrars of voters agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. If unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, absentee ballots may be counted in the respective polling places if the parties agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. Any election official serving in a polling place may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such polling place.
[ (c) (1) For the state election in 2020, and any election, primary or referendum held on or after June 23, 2021, but prior to November 3, 2021, absentee ballots may be processed before the day of such election, primary or referendum in the manner provided in section 9-150e . Any such processing shall take place at a central location designated by the registrars of voters in writing to the municipal clerk at least ten days before such election, primary or referendum, which location shall be published in the warning for such election, primary or referendum. ]
[ (2) If absentee ballots are to be processed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the registrars of voters and municipal clerk shall jointly certify such fact in writing to the Secretary of the State at least ten days before such election, primary or referendum. Such written certification shall (A) include the name, street address and relevant contact information associated with the designated central location, and (B) list the name and address of each absentee ballot counter appointed pursuant to section 9-147c . The Secretary shall approve or disapprove such written certification not later than two days after receipt of such certification and may require the appointment of one or more additional absentee ballot counters. ]
[ (3) In the case of absentee ballots delivered to the registrars on the day of such election, primary or referendum, nothing in this subsection shall preclude the counting of such absentee ballots in the respective polling places pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. ]

Source

(P.A. 75-300, S. 1, 9; P.A. 77-187, S. 4, 9; P.A. 78-75, S. 2, 3; 78-153, S. 19, 32; P.A. 79-363, S. 17, 38; P.A. 81-424, S. 2; P.A. 84-319, S. 18, 49; P.A. 85-592, S. 4; P.A. 86-179, S. 16, 53; P.A. 87-509, S. 22, 24; P.A. 18-124 , S. 1 .)

History

Amended by P.A. 23-0022 , S. 18 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session , eff. 10/1/2023 .

Amended by P.A. 21-0002 , S. 132 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2021 Special Session , eff. 6/23/2021 .

Amended by P.A. 20-0004 , S. 3 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2020 Third Special Session , eff. 10/2/2020 .

Amended by P.A. 18-0124 , S. 1 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2018 Regular Session , eff. 6/6/2018 .