Connecticut Moves to Strengthen Voter Privacy in Sweeping Election Bill
Connecticut Moves to Strengthen Voter Privacy in Sweeping Election Bill
Publish Date: 2026-03-06 17:20:00
Source Domain: www.governing.com
Connecticut legislators have moved to bolster privacy protections for voters and the voting process, including prohibitions on the use of voter registration information and exempting all ballots from public disclosure.
The state legislature approved a number of updates to state election laws in a sweeping, fast-tracked bill that Democratic majority leaders ushered to passage last week over objections of the Republican minority. The legislation now awaits action by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The legislation prohibits the use of voter registration information the secretary of the state’s office and local registrars of voters collect and maintain for personal, private or commercial purposes. That includes information for advertising, marketing, selling or soliciting products or services. Among other things, the protected personal information includes the names, addresses, birth dates and certain identification numbers of voters.
There also are prohibitions on the reproduction or display of protected voter information in any format, including print, digital and visual or audio broadcast media. The State Elections Enforcement Commission would be authorized under Senate Bill 298 to impose a civil penalty of $2,000 per violation.
The bill also prohibits the use of protected information to harass any voter or voter’s household. Violations would be considered second-degree harassment. The misdemeanor offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. In addition, a court may order any person convicted of this crime to be examined by one or more psychiatrists.
The legislation permits the use of voter registration information for election-related, scholarly, journalistic, political or governmental purposes.
Another privacy provision only allows disclosure of the birth year from a voter’s date of birth. It includes an exception for state government and requires the full birth date to be disclosed…
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