Connecticut Statutes § 9-368m Preclearance of covered policies enacted or implemented by covered jurisdictions. Determination of covered jurisdictions. Grant or denial of preclearance by Secretary or Superior Court

(1) Method of election;

(2) Form of government;

(3) Annexation, incorporation, dissolution, consolidation or division of a municipality;

(4) Removal of individuals from registry lists or enrollment lists and other activities concerning any such list;

(5) Hours of any polling place, or location or number of polling places or absentee ballot drop boxes;

(6) Assignment of voting districts to polling place or absentee ballot drop box locations;

(7) Assistance offered to protected class members; or

(8) Districting or redistricting, provided the enactment or implementation of a covered policy under this subdivision shall be subject to preclearance only in a covered jurisdiction described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section.

(1) A covered jurisdiction includes:

(2)

(1) If a covered jurisdiction seeks preclearance from the Secretary of the State for the adoption or implementation of any covered policy, such covered jurisdiction shall submit, in writing, such covered policy to the Secretary and may obtain such preclearance in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

(2) When the Secretary of the State receives any such submission of a covered policy:

(1) If a covered jurisdiction seeks preclearance from the superior court for the judicial district in which such covered jurisdiction is located for the adoption or implementation of any covered policy, in lieu of seeking such preclearance from the Secretary of the State pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, such covered jurisdiction shall submit, in writing, such covered policy to such court and may obtain such preclearance in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, provided (A) such covered jurisdiction shall also contemporaneously transmit to the Secretary of the State a copy of such submission, and (B) failure to so provide such copy shall result in an automatic denial of such preclearance. Notwithstanding the transmission to the Secretary of a copy of any such submission, the court shall exercise exclusive jurisdiction over such submission. The covered jurisdiction shall bear the burden of proof in the court's determination as to preclearance.

(2) The court shall grant or deny preclearance not later than ninety days after the receipt of submission of a covered policy.

(3) The court shall deny preclearance to a submitted covered policy only if such court determines that (A) such covered policy is more likely than not to diminish the opportunity or ability of protected class members to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice or otherwise influence the outcome of elections, or (B) such covered policy is more likely than not to violate the provisions of sections 9-368j to 9-368q , inclusive.

(4) If the court grants preclearance to such covered policy, the covered jurisdiction may immediately enact or implement such covered policy. A determination by the court to grant preclearance to a covered policy shall not be admissible in, or otherwise considered by, a court in any subsequent action challenging such covered policy.

(5) If the court denies preclearance to a covered policy, or fails to make a determination within ninety days of receipt of submission of such covered policy, such covered policy shall not be enacted or implemented.

(6) Any denial of preclearance under this subsection may be appealed in accordance with the ordinary rules of appellate procedure. Any action brought pursuant to this subsection shall be privileged with respect to assignment for trial or appeal, as applicable, including expedited pretrial and other proceedings.