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

● The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) is responsible for administering and enforcing the state's public financing program (the Citizens' Election Program). It also investigates possible violations of election laws, inspects campaign finance records and reports, refers evidence of violations to the chief state's attorney or to the attorney general, levies 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 individuals 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 legal affairs and enforcement, (4) a fiscal administrative manager, (5) a director of public campaign financing, (6) a director of disclosure and public information, (7) director of information technology, and (8) 46 other staff members.

Questions

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

2. As a commissioner, what role would you expect to play in SEEC decisions about alleged elections violations? Is this the appropriate role? Should it be expanded or reduced?

3. What do you see as the commission's most important long- and short-term goals?

4. Did any issues emerge from the 2008 election that you believe SEEC should consider?

5. About how many investigations does the SEEC conduct yearly? For what types of allegations? On average, how much time does it take the SEEC to dispose of a case? About how many result in a sanction?

6. How many cases of willful violations does the commission refer to the chief state's attorney's or attorney general's office on average each year? Does the commission track the cases it refers? If so, about how many are prosecuted?

7. The 2008 election cycle was the first in which legislative candidates could run under the Citizens' Election Program. What are your thoughts on public campaign financing?

8. According to the General Accountability Office's report, Campaign Finance Reform: Early Experiences of Two States That Offer Full Public Financing for Political Candidates, public campaign financing programs are intended to (1) increase voter choice, (2) increase electoral competition, (3) increase voter participation, (4) reduce special interest group influence, and (5) curb campaign cost increases. How can the SEEC ensure that the program meets these goals? What steps can the commission take if the program falls short?

9. The legislature is considering a bill (sHB 5903) that requires the secretary of the state to work with the SEEC and the Federal Voting Assistance Program to ensure that members of the armed forces can use a secure fax, e-mail, or other electronic transmission to receive and submit absentee ballots. What are the pros and cons of electronic voting for the military?

10. The legislature is also considering a bill (sHB 6435) that would allow for Election Day voter registration. What are your thoughts on this proposal?

11. The legislature is also considering a bill (sSB 1108) that expands the SEEC's authority. It allows the SEEC to investigate alleged violations of election, primary, and referenda regulations and to hold hearings as part of these investigations. Are these changes important? Why or why not.

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