4.29.10 Bysiewicz Praises House for Election Privacy Bill

[Gilman, Michelle]

 

Susan Bysiewicz

Secretary of the State

Connecticut

 

 

For Immediate Release:                                                                    For more information:

April 29, 2010                                                                                     Michelle Gilman: (860) 509-6265

                                                                                                                                      Cell:  (860) 214-8116

 

- Press Release -

 

Bysiewicz praises unanimous house passage of elections bill that will ensure voter privacy at the polls and will save towns money

 

SECRETARY OF THE STATE CALLS ON SENATE TO ACT QUICKLY TO APPROVE

sH.B. 5441 BEFORE CLOSE OF SESSION ON MAY 5^TH

 

HARTFORD: Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today praised the Connecticut House

of Representatives for unanimously passing Substitute House Bill # 5441.  

 

The bill, which passed by a vote of 143-0 on April 28^th, will ensure voter privacy at the polls by requiring that ballot clerks either offer each voter a privacy sleeve for their individual ballot or ensure that a sleeve is available in each voting booth. 

 

Among the many other technical changes included in this legislation, the bill will eliminate a requirement that Registrars of Voters automatically print numerous copies of voter lists prior to an election.  Upon final passage of the bill, voter lists would be printed only upon request which will save towns both money and paper. 

 

The bill also standardizes election procedures to eliminate challenge ballots and to provide provisional ballots to voters every year rather than just in federal elections.  Currently, voters cast provisional ballots in federal years and challenge ballots in state/municipal years if there is a voter registration discrepancy at the polls.  This can often be a confusing procedure for both election officials and the voter.

 

“I commend House lawmakers for passing this legislation that will ensure voter privacy at the polls and will also help towns save time and money when preparing for an election,” said Secretary Bysiewicz, Connecticut’s chief Elections Official.   “As towns and cities struggle to save every dollar possible during these challenging economic times, we must look at all opportunities to cut costs yet still maintain voter rights and integrity at the polls.  With less than a week before the close of the legislative session, I encourage the State Senate to pass this critical legislation that will modernize our election statutes, help our towns and cities, and ensure voter privacy during all elections.”

 

-30

 

 

 

 

Michelle Halloran Gilman

Chief of Staff

Office of Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz

PO Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470

(860) 509-6265 phone

(860) 509-6131 fax

michell...@ct.gov

 

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