How Elections Could Significantly Change

Here's How Elections Could Significantly Change In CT

A committee passed a slew of election-related bills, 

including one to require 

presidential candidates to release tax returns.

By Rich Scinto, Patch Staff | Apr 2, 2019 12:40 pm ET

It’s about time?

This is only about 250 (243), years in waiting!

https://patch.com/connecticut/montville-ct/s/go4w2/heres-how-elections-could-significantly-change-in-ct?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=weather&utm_campaign=alert

Read on if you will?

HARTFORD, CT

The Government Administration and Elections Committee approved a number of bills that could lead to major changes in how Connecticut residents vote. The bills now head to the General Assembly for another vote.

Disclosure of Presidential and Gubernatorial Candidate Federal Taxes

Another bill would require presidential and gubernatorial candidates to publicly disclose at least two years worth of tax returns in order to appear on the ballot. Several other states are pushing for similar measures, but there is debate whether it would stand up to a court challenge. President Donald Trump didn't release his tax returns, which bucked a decades-long trend among major party candidates. Last week a committee approved a bill that could lead to early in-person voting via a constitutional amendment. The proposal still has a long way to go as it requires either a 75% majority in both the State House and Senate or to pass by a majority two years in a row in both houses before appearing as a question on the ballot.

Three states have all-mail voting and nearly 40 have some form of early voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Connecticut voters can either vote in-person on Election Day or apply and mail-in absentee ballot. The rules regarding who qualifies for an absentee ballot are strict. The process currently requires an application which is sent to the local Town Clerk who then sends a ballot before an election, primary or referendum. That ballot then has to be filled out and either mailed back or dropped off in-person before the Election Day deadline.

A number of bills would increase Election Day voter registration across the state. Some big cities have run into issues with low staffing levels coupled with a mass of last-minute registrants over the past few election cycles. Some registrants waited in line for four hours to register in New Haven last election.

Under current law, voters must be registered by 8 p.m. Election Day in order to cast a ballot. Those stuck in registration line when the clock strikes eight can't vote. A bill proposed by Gov. Ned Lamont and approved by a committee would also allow those in line for Election-Day registration to vote after 8 p.m.

One bill would allow additional Election Day registration locations in towns and require that registrars of voters advise the Secretary of State office on the expected staffing levels. The bill passed unanimously out of committee.

Read on if you will?