State Elections Enforcement Commission (CGS § 9-7a)

• 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 public campaign financing, (4) a director of disclosure and public information, (5) a director of legal affairs and enforcement, (6) a director of fiscal administrative services and (4) 19 other staff members including, staff attorneys.

• 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 role should the commissioners play in commission decisions about alleged elections violations?

3. What issues emerged from the 2006 state and local elections that you believe SEEC should consider?

4. The Citizens' Election Program, which established a voluntary system of public financing for election campaigns, recently became effective. The SEEC is responsible for (1) promulgating rules and regulations on the law, and (2) enforcing its provisions. How prepared is the commission to handle these duties? When do you expect rules and regulations for the 2008 state election to come out? Do you anticipate any roadblocks?

5. 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?

6. The General Assembly is now considering a bill that would allow for Election Day voter registration. What are your thoughts on this proposal?

7. The General Assembly is also considering a bill that would establish a one-year deadline for filing complaints with the SEEC against a candidate committee.   What are your thoughts?

8. Election laws are complicated. Do you think that some would-be municipal candidates choose not to run for local office, because they are intimidated by the process? If this is the case, what can the commission do to educate potential candidates about our election laws? The existing municipal candidates guide seems like a good step in this direction. Your thoughts.

9. What role if any do lobbyists have in the electoral process? The Commission has spent a great deal of time and energy in the past few years wrestling with this difficult question. In general terms, how can the Commission reconcile the safeguards of the First Amendment with the necessity for fair and transparent elections?

10. Observers of recent election cycles have noted dramatic increases in the use of absentee ballots in states like California and Washington. What is your reaction to this? As a general proposition are you supportive of the use of absentee ballots? Do they pose any special threats to the democratic process?

11. The Citizens' Election Program, which established a voluntary system of public financing for election campaigns, recently became effective. The SEEC is responsible for (1) promulgating rules and regulations on the law, and (2) enforcing its provisions. How prepared is the commission to handle these duties? When do you expect rules and regulations for the 2008 state election to come out? Do you anticipate any roadblocks?

12. Do you think the average voter in Connecticut knows his or her voting rights? Has the “Voting Bill of Rights” contained in CGS § 9-236 been sufficiently publicized?

13. What are the goals of public financing? What will the legislature look like in three or four cycles if the Citizens' Election Program is meeting these goals?

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