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Senate approves transfer of state-owned voting tabulators to municipalities after amendments fail
Summary
The Senate approved House Bill 7129 to transfer newly purchased voting tabulators and accessories from the Secretary of the State to local municipalities after rejecting two proposed amendments that would have required tabulator-tape publication and limited multi-party ballot line appearances. The final vote was unanimous (36-0).
The Connecticut Senate on May 8 passed House Bill 7129, enabling the Secretary of the State to transfer newly procured voting tabulators and associated equipment to municipal election officials across the state.
Sponsor remarks: Senator Lehi said the machines were purchased with State Bond Commission funds and transferring ownership will allow towns to maintain equipment locally, avoid repeated state maintenance visits and reduce statewide costs. "As we have a locally controlled system of elections, this bill transfers ownership of these very important new tabulators to each of our individual towns," he said.
Amendments and debate: Senator Sampson offered an amendment (LCO 8008) that would have required the Secretary of State to attach and publish digital scans of tabulator tapes and duplicate tallies for transparency; that amendment failed on a roll-call vote. He offered a second amendment (LCO 7864) to require that a candidate appear only once on a ballot when cross-endorsed by multiple parties; that amendment also failed on roll call. Supporters of the amendments argued for improved transparency and reduced ballot confusion; opponents said the changes lacked committee hearings and would alter long-standing practices.
Outcome: After amendment votes failed, the underlying bill passed on an immediate roll-call vote (total voting 36; nays 0), and the measure will be enacted to transfer ownership of the tabulators to municipalities.
