Whenever the Secretary of the State is of the opinion that a registrar of voters has engaged in misconduct, wilful and material neglect of duty or incompetence in the conduct of such registrar's office, the Secretary may seek removal of such registrar from office by filing a statement in writing to that effect with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of section 9-7a, not later than thirty days after the filing of such statement, the commission shall investigate such statement and render a determination of whether the matter should be referred to the Attorney General to request that he or she pursue such removal pursuant to this section. Upon referral from the commission of such matter, the Attorney General may request that the commission undertake such further investigation as he or she deems appropriate. If the Attorney General concludes that the commission's investigation so warrants, he or she may prepare a citation in the name of the state commanding such registrar of voters to appear before a judge of the Superior Court at a date named in the citation and show cause, if any, why such registrar of voters should not be removed from office. The Attorney General shall cause a copy of such statement and such citation to be served by some proper officer upon the defendant registrar of voters at least ten days before the date of appearance named in such citation, and the original statement and citation, with the return of the officer thereon, shall be returned to the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district within which the municipality served by such registrar is situated. To carry into effect the proceedings authorized by this section, the Attorney General shall have power to summon witnesses, require the production of necessary books, papers and other documents and administer oaths to witnesses; and upon the date named in such citation for the appearance of such registrar of voters, or upon any adjourned date fixed by the judge before whom such proceedings are pending, the Attorney General shall appear and conduct the hearing on behalf of the state. If, after a full hearing of all the evidence offered by the Attorney General and by and on behalf of the defendant, such judge is of the opinion that the evidence presented warrants the removal of such registrar of voters from office, the judge shall cause to be prepared a written order to that effect, which order shall be signed by the judge and lodged with the clerk of the superior court for the judicial district within which such municipality is situated. Such clerk of the superior court shall cause a certified copy of such order to be served forthwith upon such registrar of voters, and upon such service such registrar of voters shall be removed from such office and the deputy registrar of voters appointed by such registrar of voters shall immediately become registrar of voters, in accordance with section 9-192. Any witness summoned and any officer making service under the provisions of this section shall be allowed and paid by the state in accordance with the provisions of sections 52-260 and 52-261. The Attorney General may designate an attorney of the State Elections Enforcement Commission as a special assistant attorney general for the purposes of performing the duties and responsibilities set forth in this section.

(P.A. 15-224, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 15-224 effective July 7, 2015.