Connecticut General Statutes Title 9. Elections § 9-147a. Central counting of absentee ballots; designation of location by registrars of voters. Exception for counting in respective polling places

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, at any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots shall, within existing resources, be counted in the manner provided in section 9-150a at a central location designated by the registrars of voters in writing to the municipal clerk at least twenty days before the election, primary or referendum, which location shall be published in the warning for the election, primary or referendum. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, if unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, all absentee ballots shall be separated, counted, tallied and placed in depository envelopes by voting district. Any member of the public may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such central location, provided no candidate for election or nomination shall be allowed to participate in such counting, except (1) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (2) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties.

(b) At any election, primary or referendum, all absentee ballots may be counted in the manner provided in section 9-150a in the respective polling places if the registrars of voters agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. If unaffiliated electors are authorized under section 9-431 to vote in the primary of either of two parties, absentee ballots may be counted in the respective polling places if the parties agree that such absentee ballots should be so counted. Any election official serving in a polling place may observe the counting of absentee ballots at such polling place, provided no candidate for election or nomination shall be allowed within such polling place during the hours of voting for any purpose other than casting such candidate's vote and no such candidate shall be allowed to participate in such counting, except (1) a municipal clerk or registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the same office, and (2) a deputy registrar of voters, who is a candidate for the office of registrar of voters, performing such official's duties.