CT HB06902

Municipalities may authorize preparation, printing, and dissemination of concise, neutral explanatory texts about local referendum proposals, prepared by the municipal clerk and approved by the municipal attorney.

Municipal clerks must print explanatory texts on posters (at least three per polling place) and provide copies to absentee ballot applicants; explanatory texts cannot advocate for or against the proposal.

Municipalities may prepare additional neutral printed materials about referenda if authorized by the legislative body and approved by the municipal attorney.

Municipalities with community notification systems may use them to send referendum notices (limited to time, location, ballot language, and approved explanatory text) but cannot use municipal funds for unsolicited communications encouraging residents to vote a particular way on referenda.

Regional school districts follow similar procedures for referendum communications, with the regional school board of education replacing the municipality in preparing and approving explanatory texts and materials.