• By law, the SEEC can, among other things, investigate possible violations of the election laws, inspect campaign finance records and reports, refer evidence of violations to the Chief State's Attorney or to the Attorney General, levy civil penalties for elections violations, issue advisory opinions, and make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning revisions to the state's election laws.

• The SEEC consists of five members who serve five-year, staggered terms. The Governor and the four top legislative leaders each appoint one member. No more than two may be from the same political party and at least one cannot be affiliated with any political party. Both houses of the General Assembly confirm.

• The commission elects one of its members to serve as chairperson and another to serve as vice-chairperson. It can employ such employees who are necessary to perform its functions. Current employees include (1) an executive director and general counsel, (2) a deputy director and assistant general counsel, (3) a director of administration and financial affairs and (4) 14 other staff members including, but not limited to, staff attorneys and paralegals.

• The SEEC conducts more than 200 investigations each year, with sanctions imposed in approximately two-thirds of the cases. It regularly conducts training sessions for candidates, campaign treasurers, and others concerning campaign finance requirements.

Questions

1. Do you think that SEEC’s investigation procedures can be improved? If so, in what ways?

2. What do you see as the commission’s most important long- and short-term goals for the commission?

3. What role should the commissioners play in commission decisions about alleged elections violations?

4. What issues emerged from the 2004 state and local elections that you believe SEEC should consider?

5. Should SEEC play a role in helping to achieve common ground between the parties on the issue of campaign finance reform? If so, please explain.

6. Governor Rell’s and SEEC’s 2005 campaign finance reform proposals both suggest limiting lobbyist contributions, banning certain contributions from state contractors, and setting contribution limits for ongoing PACs that currently have no limits. What are your thoughts?

7. Do you foresee any constitutional issues with these campaign finance proposals? If so, please explain.

8. The General Assembly is now considering two public financing bills. SB 61 calls for a two-tiered system of public financing where qualified participating statewide office candidates receive full financing for their campaigns and qualified participating legislative candidates receive grants from the fund if their opponent exceeds the voluntary spending limit. HB 6670 call for full public financing of elections for qualified statewide office and legislative candidates. What are your thoughts on these programs?

9. If public financing of elections were enacted in Connecticut, what role do you think SEEC should play in creating and administering the program? Are there any technical or administrative issues that SEEC would need to address?

10. The General Assembly is considering various voter registration bills. Among other things, they would require the provision of voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies and allow voter registration on Election Day. What are your thoughts on these proposals?

11. What recommendations, if any, do you have to improve SEEC’s campaign finance audit program? In what ways can the audit program become more meaningful in light of the recent campaign finance reform proposals?

12. What are your thoughts on electronic voting machines and what role should the SEEC play in ensuring Connecticut’s compliance with the Help America Vote Act of 2002?

KS: ts