CT SB00820

Prohibits election laws, practices, or methods from being enacted or implemented in ways that deny or abridge voting rights of protected class individuals (members of racial, color, or language minority groups), effective January 1, 2022

Establishes a statewide database at UConn to track election data, voting patterns, and demographic information by municipality, with a director appointed by the Governor to maintain records for at least 12 years

Requires municipalities to provide bilingual voting materials when more than 2% or 4,000+ voting-age citizens are members of a single language minority group who speak English "less than very well"

Creates a preclearance system (effective January 1, 2023) requiring certain "covered jurisdictions" with histories of voting rights violations, high arrest rate disparities, or residential segregation to obtain Attorney General or court approval before implementing changes to election policies

Prohibits voter intimidation, deception, and obstruction, allowing aggrieved parties or the Attorney General to file lawsuits and recover attorneys' fees, with courts empowered to order remedies including additional voting time or changes to election methods