CT SB00349

Extends the deadline for filling candidate vacancies from 24 days to 46 days before election polls open when a nominee dies, withdraws, or becomes disqualified.

Requires candidates withdrawing to file a signed letter of withdrawal with the Secretary of State (for state/district offices) or municipal clerk (for municipal offices), with copies filed to both entities.

Requires replacement nomination certifications to be filed at least 42 days before election polls open (previously 21 days), except for deaths occurring within 46 days but more than 24 hours before polls open, which must be certified by 2 p.m. the day before the election.

Allows parties without nominees to nominate candidates if another party's nominee becomes unavailable and that party has not yet nominated a candidate for the office.

Directs Secretary of State to instruct municipal clerks to either reprint ballots with new nominations, apply stickers deleting the original candidate and showing the replacement, or apply blank stickers if the vacancy remains unfilled.