Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 145 - Absentee Voting
Section 9-135b. - Preparation and printing of absentee ballots; layouts for public inspection; filing of ballot and affidavit with Secretary. Vacancies; procedure. Omissions or errors in printing.

(a) Immediately after the deadline for certification of all candidates whose names are to appear on the ballot, and in sufficient time to begin issuing absentee ballots on the day prescribed by law, the municipal clerk shall prepare the absentee ballots and have them printed. Prior to printing such ballots, the registrars of voters of the municipality may provide comments concerning the content and form of such ballots to the clerk.

(b) A layout model of each different absentee ballot shall be available for public inspection at the clerk's office prior to printing. The model shall indicate the type face to be used, the spelling and placement of names and other information to be printed on the ballots.
(c) Immediately upon receiving the printed absentee ballots, the municipal clerk shall file one with the Secretary of the State or, if there are different ballots for different political subdivisions, one ballot for each subdivision. The clerk shall also file his affidavit with the Secretary, stating the number of ballots printed. The form of affidavit shall be prescribed by the Secretary. If any correction or alteration is subsequently made on any absentee ballot the clerk shall immediately file a corrected or altered ballot and, using the prescribed form, his affidavit stating the number of such ballots printed, with the Secretary.
(d) If a vacancy in candidacy occurs after the ballots have been printed, the clerk may either reprint the ballots or cause blank or printed stickers, as the case may be, to be affixed to them so that the name of any candidate who has vacated his candidacy is deleted and the name of any candidate chosen to fill the vacancy as provided in section 9-428 or section 9-460 appears in the same position as that in which the vacated candidacy appeared except as provided in section 9-426 or 9-453s.
(e) The Secretary of the State shall examine each absentee ballot required to be filed pursuant to this section and if a ballot contains an omission or error, the Secretary shall order the municipal clerk to reprint a corrected absentee ballot or to take such other action as the Secretary may deem appropriate.
(P.A. 75-310, S. 2, 11; P.A. 79-363, S. 12, 38; P.A. 86-179, S. 5, 53; P.A. 11-20, S. 1; 11-173, S. 33.)
History: P.A. 79-363 substituted municipal clerk for town clerk; P.A. 86-179 changed time limit for preparation and printing of ballot by municipal clerk, added requirements that layout models of ballots be available for public inspection and that ballots and affidavits be filed with the secretary of the state, changed reference to vacancy in nomination to vacancy in candidacy, added new Subsec. re examination and correction of ballots and deleted provisions re votes cast for candidates who have vacated their candidacies and counting of straight ticket votes; P.A. 11-173 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “ballot label” with “ballot” and by adding language re comments by registrars, effective July 13, 2011.

Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 9 - Elections

Chapter 145 - Absentee Voting

Section 9-133f. - Absentee voting procedures.

Section 9-134. - Members of the armed forces; definitions.

Section 9-135. - Absentee voting eligibility; expansion for certain elections, primaries and referenda held in 2020 and 2021. Misrepresentation prohibited.

Section 9-135a. - Form of absentee ballot.

Section 9-135b. - Preparation and printing of absentee ballots; layouts for public inspection; filing of ballot and affidavit with Secretary. Vacancies; procedure. Omissions or errors in printing.

Section 9-136 and 9-136a. - Form of absentee ballot. Form for municipal election to fill partisan and nonpartisan offices.

Section 9-137. - Inner envelope for return of ballot; statement under false statement penalty. Exception for certain elections, primaries and referenda held in 2020 and 2021.

Section 9-139. - Outer envelope for return of ballot.

Section 9-139a. (Formerly Sec. 9-155). - Secretary to furnish forms. Contents. Instructions.

Section 9-139b. (Formerly Sec. 9-157). - Secretary authorized to change forms. Expanded authority for certain elections, primaries and referenda held in 2020 and 2021.

Section 9-139c. (Formerly Sec. 9-154). - Clerk to account to secretary for forms.

Section 9-140. - Application for and issuance of absentee ballots; online system; exception for certain elections, primaries and referenda held in 2020 and 2021 re mailing of ballots. Distribution of absentee ballot applications. Mailing unsolicited...

Section 9-140a. (Formerly Sec. 9-138). - Signing of form. Insertion of ballot in envelopes.

Section 9-140b. (Formerly Sec. 9-146). - Return of absentee ballots; use of secure drop box. Possession of ballots and envelopes restricted.

Section 9-140c. (Formerly Sec. 9-147). - List of applicants returning ballots to clerk. Sorting of ballots and checking of names on registry list; rejection of ballot if name not on list. Times for delivery of ballots by clerk to registrars. Preserva...

Section 9-140d. (Formerly Sec. 9-152). - Validity of armed forces member's ballot after death.

Section 9-140e. - Elector who is permanently physically disabled or suffering from a long-term illness. Status for receipt of absentee ballots.

Section 9-140f. - Electronic provision of absentee ballot for visually impaired electors.

Section 9-144 and 9-145. - Materials to be furnished to absentee ballot applicants. Marking of ballots.

Section 9-147a. - Central counting of absentee ballots; designation of location by registrars of voters. Exception for counting in respective polling places. Exception re processing of absentee ballots for certain elections, primaries and referenda h...

Section 9-147c. - Appointment of absentee ballot counters, central counting moderator and alternate moderator. Count not to be disclosed prior to close of polls.

Section 9-147d. - Central counting of absentee ballots timely received after 11 a.m. of day before election.

Section 9-148. - Counting of absentee ballots; training of counters.

Section 9-149 and 9-150. - Counting of ballots, procedure; ballot rejected if inner-envelope statement not executed; public may observe central counting; questions decided by moderator, intent of elector to govern, presumptions when intent not clear,...

Section 9-150a. - Absentee ballot counting procedures.

Section 9-150b. - Duties of moderators and municipal clerks. Declaration of count.

Section 9-150c. - Procedure for delivery of ballot in case of late-occurring illness, disability or hospitalization.

Section 9-150d. - Use of voting tabulators to count absentee ballots.

Section 9-150e. - Procedures for processing of absentee ballots before the day of certain elections, primaries or referenda held in 2020 and 2021.

Section 9-151. - Voting in person after absentee ballot has been sent.

Section 9-153. - Clerk to preserve counters' notes, worksheets and other written materials and envelopes, applications and void and unused ballots.

Section 9-153a. (Formerly Sec. 9-141). - Use of federal ballot application form.

Section 9-153b. (Formerly Sec. 9-142). - Additional ballots.

Section 9-153c. (Formerly Sec. 9-136b). - Procedure in case of omission or error in printing or issuing of ballot.

Section 9-153d. (Formerly Sec. 9-143). - Mailing of ballots to persons living outside of United States, military personnel, spouses or dependents.

Section 9-153e. (Formerly Sec. 9-143a). - Alternate application procedure for certain military personnel.

Section 9-153f. (Formerly Sec. 9-143b). - Alternate application procedure and early ballot for electors residing or traveling outside United States and certain military personnel.

Section 9-153g. - Method for return of ballot used by certain military personnel. Report.

Section 9-156. - Distribution and receipt of ballots by secretary.

Section 9-158. - Eligibility to vote for presidential electors after removal from state.

Section 9-158a. - Presidential and federal elections; overseas balloting. Definitions.

Section 9-158b. - Eligibility for presidential or overseas ballot.

Section 9-158c. - Application for ballot.

Section 9-158d. - Application form.

Section 9-158e. - Identification required from person applying for presidential ballot. Mailing or giving of presidential ballot to applicant. Mailing overseas ballot to applicant.

Section 9-158f. - Envelope.

Section 9-158g. - Return to town clerk.

Section 9-158h. - List of applicants.

Section 9-158i. - Secretary to prepare and distribute ballots and forms.

Section 9-158j. - Notice to registrars.

Section 9-158k. - Town clerk to maintain file of information from other states or towns.

Section 9-158l. - False statements. Neglect of duty by public official.

Section 9-158m. - Absentee voting law applicable.

Section 9-158n. - Voting in person.

Section 9-159 to 9-159m. - Ballots. Overseas ballots.

Section 9-159o. (Formerly Sec. 9-151a). - Voting in person after ballot has been sent; exception for certain elections, primaries and referenda held in 2020 and 2021.

Section 9-159p. (Formerly Sec. 9-232g). - Challenge of absentee ballots.

Section 9-159q. (Formerly Sec. 9-159n). - Supervised absentee voting by patients at institutions upon request of registrar, administrator. Secretary of the State's authority to suspend supervised absentee voting for civil preparedness and public heal...

Section 9-159r. - Mandatory supervised absentee voting at institutions. Procedure. Exception for certain elections, primaries and referenda held in 2020 and 2021.

Section 9-159s. - Notice to conservators and guardians re residents' voting opportunities and voting registration. Optional notice to person with power of attorney.

Section 9-160 to 9-163j. - Affidavit; envelopes. Application for absentee ballot. Procedure for voting. Notice to registrars of voters; delivery and counting of ballots. Voting by new residents in presidential elections.

Section 9-163k. - Pilot program for absentee voting.