GAE COMMITTEE ADVANCES ELECTION PROTECTION BILLS

Measures aim to prevent election interference and voter intimidation

HARTFORD – On its final day for bill action in the 2026 legislative session, the Government Administration & Elections Committee has advanced a series of bills to protect Connecticut elections by preventing interference or intimidation of voters.

GAE Senate Chair Senator Mae Flexer and GAE House Chairman Representative Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford) co-authored, sponsored, or introduced these measures to ensure the sacred right to vote is safeguarded without fear at home or at the polls.

House Bill 5533 and Senate Bill 463 “AN ACT CONCERNING PROTECTION OF ELECTION ADMINISTRATION PROCESSES, ELECTIONS SITES, ELECTION WORKERS AND ELECTORS” fights back against threats from President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans to “nationalize” and “take over” our elections. The bill would:

• Bar federal law enforcement within 250 feet of a polling place without permission from state election officials or a court order
• Require coordination with the Connecticut Secretary of the State and the Attorney General before federal agents conduct operations near a polling place
• Establish state penalties for violations to ensure protections are taken seriously

House Bill 5001 “AN ACT CONCERNING ABSENTEE VOTING FOR ALL AND VARIOUS OTHER REFORMS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS” would implement Absentee Voting For All two years after Connecticut voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment. The measure would allow eligible voters to request an absentee ballot without providing a reason. Currently, absentee ballots are limited to voters who meet specific criteria. Removing those restrictions will make voting more accessible, increase participation, and ensure voters have safe and flexible options for casting their ballots.

House Bill 5342  AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND OTHER MEANS TO GENERATE DECEPTIVE SYNTHETIC MEDIA AND AFFECT ELECTION addresses a growing threat to elections: AI-generated “deepfake” videos, images, and audio used to spread misinformation about candidates. The bill would:

• Prohibit deceptive AI-generated media intended to influence an election
• Apply to manipulated videos, audio, or images that falsely depict a candidate
• Covers the 90 days leading up to an election or primary, when misinformation can have the biggest impact

“Maintaining American democracy is a top concern among voters in national polls, and for good reason – the Trump administration has been working overtime to gerrymander voting districts, re-write voting rules, steal ballots, and repeatedly cast doubt on elections where Republicans lose. It’s an outrageous assault on America’s free and fair elections. In Connecticut, we have been working diligently to improve access to democracy,” Sen. Flexer said.

“Our elections are under attack like never before. On Friday, we took strong action to protect voters and voting rights said Rep. Blumenthal. “These measures will help prevent intimidation at the polls by anyone — including the federal government. They expand access to absentee voting. They crack down on deceptive deepfakes. They help ensure that every eligible voter can make their voice heard without fear or interference. As our 250th anniversary of independence approaches, they will help preserve our democracy for generations to come.”

With approval from the GAE Committee, all three of the measures move to the House floor for further consideration if they are called before the end of session on May 6.