CT SB00459

Individuals convicted of crimes under Title 9 (election laws) are prohibited from circulating primary petitions, nominating petitions, or distributing absentee ballot applications during probation or parole and for 12 years after release from confinement, probation, or parole.

The Secretary of State, registrars of voters, and municipal clerks must reject any petition pages or absentee ballot applications handled by prohibited individuals.

Nationwide criminal background checks are required on all circulators of primary petitions, nominating petitions, and distributors of absentee ballot applications to enforce these prohibitions.

Nominating petition circulators must now certify they are not on probation or parole for election crimes, nor within 12 years of release from such convictions, in addition to existing requirements about felony parole status.

The bill takes effect upon passage and amends sections 9-404b(d), 9-410(c), 9-453e, 9-453j, and 9-140(k) of the Connecticut General Statutes.