Each registrar of voters shall appoint one or more electors of the town, known to be persons of integrity, to count all absentee ballots. No spouse, parent, grandparent, child or sibling of a candidate may be appointed to count absentee ballots on which the name of such candidate appears. Unless absentee ballots are to be counted in the respective polling places pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9-147a, the registrars shall also jointly appoint a central counting moderator and alternate moderator pursuant to the requirements of section 9-229. No person shall print, publish, announce, or otherwise make known such count prior to the time for the closing of the polls.

(P.A. 75-300, S. 3, 9; P.A. 77-187, S. 6, 9; P.A. 79-363, S. 18, 38; P.A. 81-467, S. 2, 8; P.A. 85-592, S. 5; P.A. 86-179, S. 17, 53; P.A. 99-276, S. 4, 15; P.A. 18-124, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 77-187 changed time count of absentee ballots to begin from “two p.m.” to “twelve o’clock”; P.A. 79-363 made technical changes; P.A. 81-467 added reference to appointment of alternate moderator; P.A. 85-592 amended section to require counters to attend training sessions at which registrars, municipal clerks and moderators review and study an absentee ballot counter's manual; P.A. 86-179 deleted provisions re counter's training sessions and submittal of questions to moderator for decision; P.A. 99-276 added prohibition against spouse, parent, grandparent, child or sibling of a candidate from counting absentee ballots on which candidate's name appears, effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 18-124 replaced provision re central counting of absentee ballots with provision re counting in respective polling places, effective June 6, 2018.