Committee Bill No. 5651 Summary

• Allows individuals detained in state or municipal community correctional centers, correctional institutions, or lockups to vote absentee if their voting rights have not been forfeited by conviction of a disfranchising crime.

• Requires administrative heads of detention facilities to distribute absentee ballot applications to eligible detainees who are expected to be unable to appear at polling places and assist in returning completed applications to voter registrars.

• Designates detainees as absent from their home municipality for voting purposes despite being physically held within that municipality.

• Expands the definition of "designee" who can return absentee ballots on behalf of voters to include administrative heads of correctional facilities holding custody of eligible detainees.

• Takes effect immediately upon passage and amends sections 9-14a and 9-140b of Connecticut General Statutes.