HB 5001 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS RELATED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS.

This bill expands absentee voting eligibility in Connecticut to allow any eligible voter who will not appear at their polling place on election day to vote by absentee ballot, removing previous restrictions based on specific reasons like military service, illness, or religious observance. It also strengthens accountability by requiring individuals who distribute five or more absentee ballot applications to register with municipal clerks and maintain records of recipients, while prohibiting candidates and political committees from mailing unsolicited absentee ballot applications without clear eligibility warnings. Additionally, the bill mandates that absentee ballot envelopes include a sworn statement confirming the voter will not appear at their polling place, and requires the Secretary of the State to post notices online clarifying that applications are for personal or immediate family use only. These changes aim to increase voting access while implementing safeguards to prevent misuse of the absentee voting system.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 6, 2026 Signed May 15, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill GAE Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was converted from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' with a critical change to the absentee voting eligibility date, shifting the effective date from a fixed July 1, 2026 to 'from passage.' The most significant policy change is the expansion of who qualifies for an absentee ballot to include election officials working at polling places other than their own, replacing the previous requirement of religious objection or inability to appear. The bill also modernizes the process by mandating the use of state-generated barcodes on envelopes and requiring specific warnings about ballot possession restrictions.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include primary, election, and referendum officials as eligible absentee voters, whereas the original version only covered individuals with specific personal hardships like religious objections or military service.
TIMELINE

The effective date for the new absentee voting rules changed from a fixed date of July 1, 2026 to 'from passage,' meaning the law takes effect immediately upon being signed into law.

ELIGIBILITY

New eligibility was added for primary, election, and referendum officials who must work at polling places other than their own during all voting hours, replacing the previous requirement that voters must have a religious objection to secular activity.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that absentee ballot return envelopes must feature a state-generated barcode and specific warnings about ballot possession restrictions and penalties.

The statement required on the absentee ballot application was modified to remove the mandatory declaration that the voter 'will not appear' at their polling place, instead focusing on eligibility and adding the new official duties as a qualifying reason.

New instructions require that absentee ballot applications be signed by any person assisting the applicant, adding a layer of accountability to the application process.

Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2026 · House Apr 23, 2026

How they voted

2511
Passed
Total votes 36
May 6, 2026
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
11 Nay
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
40
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Amendments
14
May 15, 2026
Signed into law
SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
lower
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A,E
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. H
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. G
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. F
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. E
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. D
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. C
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. B
upper
May 6, 2026
Amended
SEN. REJ. SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A,E
upper
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A,E
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. E
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
BILL PASSED TEMPORARILY
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Amended
HOUSE REJECTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. D
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Amended
HOUSE REJECTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. C
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Amended
HOUSE REJECTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. B
lower
Apr 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections
lower
33 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors