The Connecticut Senate has unanimously passed a wide-ranging bill that attempts to professionalize the state's election system following a string of problems at the polls. The legislation awaits House action.The bill marks a compromise between state lawmakers, the Secretary of State's Office, town clerks and the locally-elected registrars of voters, who run the state's elections.
Under the proposal, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill would create a new training and certification program for the 339 registrars.
“My job is to represent the voters,” Merrill said when proposing changes in February. “And I am concerned that they’re not getting the best election process. We’ve seen too many instances where it’s just not working that well anymore.”
If the Secretary believes a registrar has engaged in misconduct or is incompetent, there is a process in the bill to remove that person from office.
Melissa Russell, president of the registrars' association, says the bill provides much-needed technology and the ability to provide results faster.
Information for The Associated Press was used in this report.
