Denise W.

Merrill
Office of Secretary of the State Secretary of the State
State of Connecticut
30 Trinity Street, P.O. Box 150470, Hartford, CT 06115-0470 Scott D. Bates
Deputy Secretary of the State

October 14, 2021

State Elections Enforcement Commission

Michael J. Brandi
Executive Director and General Council
20 Trinity Street
Suite 101, Suite 301
Hartford CT 06106

Dear Attorney Brandi:

Recent news reports regarding absentee ballot applications that were sent to voters with the voters’
information pre-filled for them has led our office to review communication related to this issue. As you
know, mailing absentee ballots to voters without a request, by candidates, parties, or others, is
permissible and specifically contemplated by statute. It is the opinion of the Office of the Secretary of
the State that, if the applications are pre-filled, the sender must complete Section 4 of the application as
an assistor of the applicant, and personally sign the application (a “wet ink” signature).

Our review of the communication between this office and a representative of various campaigns across
the state has led us to the conclusion that, due to a miscommunication caused by imprecise language on
our part, many campaigns may have understandably relied on those emails to believe that it was
permissible to use a reproduced signature on the pre-filled applications. Although Connecticut statute
does require a “wet ink” signature, it is clear that campaigns could have justifiably relied on our advice
to believe the opposite was true.

Importantly, this miscommunication should not affect the voters of Connecticut. In a communication to
Town Clerks on October 6, we clarified the technical interpretation of the assistors’ signature on the
application but, critically, also communicated to clerks that any completed applications received from a
voter should be processed as normal, as that is a valid application and the voter should not be penalized
for this miscommunication between our office and representatives of campaigns. Our most important
consideration is that every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot conveniently and safely in the manner
of their choosing.

Sincerely,

Theodore E Bromley
Director of Elections