Weston
has been selected to participate in the state-wide post-Election
audit. This audit will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at
9:00 a.m. in the Weston Town Hall Meeting Room. Official results after certified Election night:
NOT FROM LWV:
Some information from the website "Verified Voting" on Post-Election
audits; news about absentee ballot turnout improvement.
First Selectman sworn in (her remarks at the 19 minutes point in the
recording): Weston FORUM there as was Channel 12. Plus there
is a sound recording here. Or read her message from the Town of Weston website here.
A very special moment.
Ceremony conducted by Town Clerk Donna Anastasia and Assistant Town Clerk Ellen Jones.
Major timing of Secretary of the State list of election milestones here. And FYI - check out the OLR bill analysis for #1502 description of what's coming to C.O.G.'s staff requirements involving elections - beginning in January 1, 2016!
The LWV of Weston has traditionally held a meeting entitled "What Happened Over the Summer?" while many Westonites were away - this
year the Steering Committee, grown in size to nine members, the full
membership beginning a slow increase in number, decided to spend the
summer itself reporting on what was happening in town and keeping track
of that news here!
Since this is a local election year it
is reasonable to assume that residents who may be away or just enjoying
themselves at home can be expected to know how to "Google" the LWV of
Weston Connecticut. (WARNING: There is a "LWV of Weston" in
Massachusetts - the Weston CT webmaster very often gets inquiries from
Massachusetts folks about voting matters and other things, so be sure to
type in "CT.")
And specific legislation related to elections passed in the Long Session this year.
BALLOT LOTTERY HELD - Formal results with correct spellings of names available at a later date.
LWV of Weston advises all to mark Saturday October 17th beginning at
10am for DEBATES at Weston Library. VOTERS GUIDE work progressing -
mailing to candidates in process.
The second report will update those not in town regularly what happened during the
Party Caucus period at the end of July; the third will be a
preview of what the Fall campaign season might be shaping up to look like!
C O M I N G S O O N T O A C . O . G . N E A R Y O U :
§§ 451-453—REGIONAL ELECTION MONITORS
The bill establishes a “regional election monitor” within each of the
state's nine planning regions to represent, consult with, and act on the
secretary of the state's behalf before and during each election,
primary, recanvass, and audit. It (1) specifies that the monitors are
not state employees and (2) requires the secretary of the state to
certify them.
The law authorizes each planning region's regional council of
governments (COG) to determine the services it will provide its member
municipalities. The bill creates an exception to this authorization and
requires COGs to provide the monitor-related services it prescribes.
Specifically, the bill requires each COG, by March 1 annually, to (1)
contract with an individual to serve as the monitor for that planning
region and (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the
secretary of the state about the monitor.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2016
Qualifications and Contract Terms
The bill sets qualifications for regional election monitors and certain
terms that must be covered by their contracts. Under the bill, monitors
must (1) be certified by the secretary of the state, (2) be state
electors, (3) perform the position's duties in a nonpartisan manner, and
(4) have prior field experience in the conduct of elections.
By March 1 of each year, each COG must contract with an individual to
serve as the monitor for its planning region. According to the
contract's terms, the monitor must be (1) compensated for performing any
duty agreed upon with the COG and (2) reimbursed for necessary
expenses. COGs (1) must provide their monitor with any space, supplies,
equipment, and services necessary to properly carry out the position's
duties and (2) may terminate the contract for any reason. MOU with the Secretary of the State
By March 1 of each year, each COG must enter into an MOU with the
secretary of the state concerning the regional election monitor. Within
the MOU, the COG must confirm that:
1. the contract specifies the required terms and expectations;
2. the monitor is subject to the secretary's control and direction;
3. revocation by the secretary of the monitor's certification
constitutes breach of contract and will result in the contract's
immediate termination; and
4. the monitor will be retained for at least 30 days after the election, unless terminated.
Certification and Training
The bill requires the secretary of the state to train individuals as
monitors and certify those who successfully complete the training,
subject to the same exceptions applicable to moderators. Specifically,
she cannot certify anyone who has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo
contendere to a (1) felony involving fraud, forgery, larceny,
embezzlement, or bribery or (2) criminal offense under state election
law. The bill authorizes the secretary to revoke a certification, with
or without cause, at any time.
Under the bill, regional election monitor certifications are effective
for two years. Prior to the expiration of an initial or subsequent
certification, monitors may undergo a secretary-prescribed abridged
recertification process to satisfy the recertification requirements.
Duties
Under the bill, monitors' duties include:
1. holding regional instructional sessions for moderators and alternate moderators;
2. communicating with registrars of voters to assist, to the extent
permitted by law, in preparing for and conducting an election, primary,
recanvass, or audit; and
3. transmitting an order issued by the secretary of the state (see THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE'S AUTHORITY below).
After conducting a regional instructional session for moderators and
alternate moderators, monitors must provide the secretary of the state
with the name and address of attendees. Existing law sets the same
requirement for other instructors.
§ 452 — Moderators and Alternate Moderators
By law, moderators and alternate moderators cannot serve during a
primary or election unless they are certified by the secretary of the
state. The secretary must certify individuals who successfully complete
the required instructional sessions and exam.
Existing law requires the secretary to establish the number of
instructional sessions, provided at least one session per year is held
in each Congressional district. The bill additionally requires her to
(1) coordinate with monitors to hold regional instructional sessions in
COG facilities and (2) establish the number of regional sessions,
provided at least one is held before a regular election in each planning
region.
Under existing law and the bill, certifications are effective for two
years. Currently, moderators must earn a full recertification every two
years. Under the bill, they may instead undergo a secretary-prescribed
abridged recertification process to satisfy the recertification
requirements. Malloy signs Connecticut elections reform bill into law
Jul 8, 1:23 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) --
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has signed a legislation that creates new
standards for the local officials running Connecticut's election.
