(a) Immediately after the polls are closed, the official checker or checkers, appointed under the provisions of section 9-234, shall make and deliver to the moderator a certificate stating the whole number of names on the registry list or enrollment list including, if applicable, unaffiliated electors authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary, and the number checked as having voted in that election or primary. For the purpose of computing the whole number of names on the registry list, the lists of persons who have applied for presidential or overseas ballots prepared in accordance with section 9-158h shall be included. If a paper registry list is used, the registrars or assistant registrars, as the case may be, shall write and sign with ink, on the list or lists so used and checked, a certificate of the whole number of names registered on the list eligible to vote in the election or primary and the number checked as having voted in that election or primary, and deposit it in the office of the municipal clerk not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls. If an electronic version of the registry list is used, the electronic device upon which such list is stored shall be returned to the registrars of voters who shall cause the electronic registry list to be printed. Such printed list shall be signed by each registrar, who shall deposit such list in the office of the municipal clerk not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls. The municipal clerk shall carefully preserve the paper registry list or printed electronic registry list, as applicable, on file, with the marks on it without alteration, for public inspection, and shall immediately enter a certified copy of such certificate on the town records. Subject to the provisions of section 7-109, the municipal clerk may destroy any voting checklist four years after the date upon which it was used. The moderator shall place the certificate which the moderator received from the official checker or checkers in the office of the municipal clerk not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, for the state election in 2020, and any election or primary held on or after June 23, 2021, but prior to November 3, 2021, any certificate or list required under said subsection to be deposited or placed in the office of the municipal clerk shall be so deposited or placed not later than ninety-six hours after the close of the polls at such election or primary.
(1949 Rev., S. 1070; 1953, S. 785d; 1957, P.A. 526, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 200; February, 1965, P.A. 365; P.A. 76-295, S. 15, 18; P.A. 77-245, S. 9; P.A. 86-179, S. 44, 53; P.A. 87-509, S. 11, 24; P.A. 88-364, S. 13, 123; P.A. 11-20, S. 20; P.A. 14-217, S. 25; P.A. 15-224, S. 21; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 20-3, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 139.)
History: 1963 act added authority to destroy check list after four years; 1965 act provided for count of whole number of names on registry list to include the list of new resident voters prepared pursuant to Sec. 9-163g; P.A. 76-295 deleted the latter provision and inserted provision for the count to include persons who applied for presidential ballots and those who applied for overseas ballots; P.A. 77-245 changed “town clerk's office” to “office of the municipal clerk” and “town” to “municipal” clerk where appearing; P.A. 86-179 made technical changes; P.A. 87-509 required certificate to also state whole number of names on enrollment list including, if applicable, unaffiliated electors authorized to vote in primary; P.A. 88-364 made a technical change; P.A. 11-20 replaced reference to duplicate certificates received in the voting machine with reference to voted ballots from the polling place, replaced “machine” with “tabulator” and made technical changes, effective May 24, 2011; P.A. 14-217 deleted provisions re duplicate certificates, inclusion of voted ballots and moderator's return upon deposit of the certificate with the clerk and locking the tabulator, added references to paper or electronic registry list and made technical changes, effective June 13, 2014; P.A. 15-224 deleted “acting at the respective polls” and “of their town” and changed “on or before the following day” and “on the following day” to “not later than forty-eight hours after the close of the polls”, effective July 7, 2015; July Sp. Sess. P.A. 20-3 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re state election in 2020, effective July 31, 2020; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended Subsec. (b) to add provisions re certain elections and primaries held prior to November 3, 2021, effective June 23, 2021.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 148 - Election Canvass and Returns
Section 9-308. - Canvass of returns.
Section 9-310. - Sealing of tabulator by moderator.
Section 9-311a. - Recanvass on close vote.
Section 9-311b. - Recanvass on tie vote.
Section 9-312. - Declaration of result; returns to secretary.
Section 9-313. - Forms for returns.
Section 9-315. - Canvass for presidential electors, U.S. senator and members of Congress.
Section 9-316. - Canvass in vacancy election of U.S. senator or representative.
Section 9-317. - Certification of election of U.S. senator.
Section 9-318. - Canvass of votes for state officers.
Section 9-319. - Canvass of votes for state senators and representatives and judges of probate.
Section 9-321. - Return by moderator of election of town clerk and registrar of vital statistics.