Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 145 - Absentee Voting
Section 9-150a. - Absentee ballot counting procedures.

(a) Starting time designated by registrars of voters. The absentee ballot counters shall proceed to the central counting location or to the respective polling places when counting is to take place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a at the times designated by the registrars of voters.

(b) Delivery and checking of ballots. At the time each group of ballots is delivered to them pursuant to section 9-140c, the counters shall perform any checking of such ballots required by subsection (i) of said section and shall then proceed as hereinafter provided.
(c) Removal of inner envelopes. Count of total number of ballots received. Except with respect to ballots marked “Rejected” pursuant to section 9-140c or other applicable law, the counters shall remove the inner envelopes from the outer envelopes, shall note the total number of absentee ballots received and shall report such total to the moderator. They shall similarly note and separately so report the total numbers of presidential ballots and overseas ballots received pursuant to sections 9-158a to 9-158m, inclusive.
(d) Ballot rejected if inner envelope statement not executed. (1) If the statement on the inner envelope has not been signed as required by section 9-140a, such inner envelope shall not be opened or the ballot removed therefrom, and such inner envelope shall be replaced in the opened outer envelope which shall be marked “Rejected” and the reason therefor endorsed thereon by the counters. (2) If such statement is signed but the individual completing the ballot is an individual described in subsection (a) of section 9-23r and has not met the requirements of subsection (e) of section 9-23r, the counters shall replace the ballot in the opened inner envelope, replace the inner envelope in the opened outer envelope and mark “Rejected as an Absentee Ballot” and endorse the reason for such rejection on the outer envelope, and the ballot shall be treated as a provisional ballot for federal offices only, pursuant to sections 9-232i to 9-232o, inclusive.
(e) Removal of ballots from inner envelopes. The counters shall then remove the absentee ballots from the remaining inner envelopes.
(f) Inner and outer envelopes to be sealed in depository envelopes. Before the ballots are counted, all opened outer and inner envelopes from which such ballots have been removed, and all outer envelopes marked “Rejected” as required by law, shall be placed and sealed by the counters, separately by voting district, in depository envelopes prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the municipal clerk. The counters shall seal such depository envelopes by wrapping them lengthwise and sideways with nonreusable tape, endorse on each such envelope their names, the voting district and the time of the count, and deliver such envelopes to the moderator.
(g) Moderator to supervise counting. The counters shall then count such ballots as provided in this section. The moderator shall supervise the counting.
(h) Procedure manual. The Secretary of the State shall provide a procedure manual for counting absentee ballots. The manual shall include a description of the steps to be followed in receiving, handling, counting and preserving absentee ballots. Facsimile ballots shall be printed in the manual, illustrating potential variations in ballot markings along with the correct interpretation to be given in each situation illustrated.
(i) Write-in votes. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section the provisions of section 9-265 shall apply to write-in votes on absentee ballots at elections.
(2) Votes cast by absentee ballot at a primary may be counted only for candidates whose names appear on the ballot on primary day, and no write-in vote shall be counted except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection.
(3) If a write-in vote on an absentee ballot is cast for a candidate for any office whose name appears on the ballot for that office on election or primary day, such candidate's name shall be deemed to have been checked on such ballot and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (j) of this section, one vote shall be counted and recorded for such candidate for such office.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in section 9-265, if the name of a registered write-in candidate for an office is written in for such office on an absentee ballot it shall be deemed validly written in for purposes of subsection (j) of this section.
(j) Intent of voter to govern; presumptions. In the counting of absentee ballots the intent of the voter shall govern, provided the following conclusive presumptions, where applicable, shall prevail in determining such intent:
(1) If the names of more candidates for an office than the voter is entitled to vote for are checked or validly written in, then the vote cast for that office shall be deemed an invalid overvote.
(2) If the name of a candidate who has vacated his candidacy is checked such vote shall not be counted.
(3) On an absentee ballot on which candidates' names are printed, a vote shall be deemed cast only for each candidate whose name is individually checked or validly written in, except as otherwise provided in this subsection. If a party designation is circled, checked, underscored or similarly marked in any manner, or written in, no vote shall be deemed cast or cancelled for any candidate by virtue of such marking or writing.
(k) Questions submitted to moderator for decision. If the intent of an absentee voter is difficult to ascertain due to uncertain, conflicting or incorrect ballot markings which are not clearly addressed in this section or in the procedure manual for counting absentee ballots provided by the Secretary of the State, the absentee ballot counters shall submit the ballot and their question to the moderator. They shall then count the ballot in accordance with the moderator's decision as to the voter's intent, if such intent is ascertainable. A ballot or part of a ballot on which the intent is determined by the moderator to be not ascertainable, shall not be counted. The moderator shall endorse on the ballot the question and his decision.
(l) Rejection of marked ballots. No absentee ballot shall be rejected as a marked ballot unless, in the opinion of the moderator, it was marked for the purpose of providing a means of identifying the voter who cast it.
(m) Placing of ballots in depository envelopes. After the absentee ballots have been so counted they shall be placed by the counters, separately by voting district, in depository envelopes prescribed by the Secretary of the State and provided by the municipal clerk. Any notes, worksheets, or other written materials used by the counters in counting such ballots shall be endorsed by them with their names, the date and the time of the count and shall also be placed in such depository envelopes together with the ballots, and with the separate record of the number of votes cast on such ballots for each candidate as required by section 9-150b. Such depository envelopes shall then be sealed, endorsed and delivered to the moderator by the counters in the same manner as provided in subsection (f) of this section.
(P.A. 86-179, S. 19, 53; P.A. 87-197, S. 2, 3; 87-382, S. 11, 55; P.A. 91-286, S. 2, 3; P.A. 95-171, S. 7, 14; P.A. 96-119, S. 4, 14; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 97; P.A. 04-257, S. 7; P.A. 11-20, S. 1; 11-173, S. 11; P.A. 18-124, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 87-197 and 87-382 repealed provisions in former Subsecs. (j) and (k) re straight-ticket party block, relettered Subsec. (k) as Subsec. (j) and remaining Subsecs. accordingly and made technical changes; P.A. 87-197 amended section further by adding new Subdiv. (3) in relettered Subsec. (j) re marking of a party designation; P.A. 91-286 amended Subsecs. (f) and (m) to require that depository envelopes be prescribed by secretary of the state and provided by municipal clerk instead of provided by secretary; P.A. 95-171 amended Subsec. (a) by changing the time ballot counters arrive from not earlier than noon to between nine a.m. and noon for an election or primary and not later than noon for a referendum, effective January 1, 1996; P.A. 96-119 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “nine” with “ten” o'clock and replace “not later than” with “not earlier than” twelve o'clock noon on the day of a referendum, effective May 24, 1996; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (d) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re ballot completed by individual described in Sec. 9-23r(a) who has not met requirements of Sec. 9-23r(e), effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 04-257 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 11-173 replaced language re specific time for counting with language re times designated by the registrars of voters in Subsec. (a), made a technical change in Subsec. (c) and replaced “ballot label” with “ballot” in Subsec. (i), effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 18-124 amended Subsec. (a) to delete “to the polling places for which they have been assigned ballots or” and to add “or to the respective polling places when counting is to take place pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a”, effective June 6, 2018.
Cited. 231 C. 602.

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.