CT HB07005

Municipalities with a population of at least 140,000 must appoint an election monitor for the 2020 state election to detect and prevent irregularities in election administration procedures; the monitor serves until December 31, 2020 and is compensated from federal COVID-19 funds.

Election monitors have authority to conduct inspections and investigations of municipal election duties under state law, access all related records and data, and immediately report any irregularities to the Secretary of the State.

For the 2020 state election, absentee ballot processing may begin 14 days before the election (rather than 7 days) and continues through election day with multiple delivery deadlines allowing earlier ballot preparation.

Municipalities may process absentee ballots before election day for the 2020 state election using a central location designated by registrars; registrars and municipal clerks must jointly certify this to the Secretary of the State at least 10 days before the election for approval.

Voters who have cast absentee ballots may request ballot withdrawal before 5:00 p.m. on the fourth day before the 2020 election (rather than 10:00 a.m. on election day) to vote in person.