OLR Bill Analysis

SB 911

AN ACT CONCERNING VOTERS WHO CHANGE PARTY AFFILIATION.

SUMMARY:

This bill (1) shortens, from three months to one month, the time electors who change party affiliation must wait before their enrollment privileges in the new party take effect and (2) allows the electors to retain their privileges in the original party until that time. By law, an elector who transfers party affiliation may not vote in a party's primary or caucus, or appoint members to any of its political boards or commissions or accept such an appointment until his or her enrollment privileges attach.

Under the bill, an elector who applies for transfer from one party's voter list to another's is entitled to enrollment privileges in the new party one month, rather than three months, after the date of application. In the meantime, such an elector retains his or her privileges in the original party.

Under current law, the elector gives up all enrollment privileges, including those in the original party, until the three months expire. At that point, his or her privileges in the new party attach.

The bill retains the three-month waiting period for electors who relinquish their voter registration and party enrollment. They may reapply to register to vote at any time, but must wait for three months after removal before party privileges attach. The bill also makes a technical change.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

COMMITTEE ACTION

Government Administration and Elections Committee

Joint Favorable