Bill For “Precise” Wording On City Charter Referendums Gets Hearing

New Britain Lawmakers, League of Women Voters Back Fair Ballot Questions

By John McNamara

Legislation to ensure specific wording on local referendum questions has been proposed for a second year at the Connecticut General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE).

The GAE Committee will consider House Bill 5494 that would establish “standards” for city charter amendment ballot questions “to increase clarity and simplicity for voters” and provide for “review, and approval or disapproval, of ballot questions by the Secretary of the State.”

Testimony came at a day-long public hearing dominated by election security and absentee ballot restrictions stemming from abuses in the City of Bridgeport and a resolution proposing a State constitutional amendment concerning discrimination on the basis of sex under the Equal Protection Clause.

Endorsed by the New Britain Area and State League of Women Voters (LWV) the bill stems from concerns over a controversially worded New Britain charter referendum on the November 2022 ballot that resulted in sweeping changes to local government, including the addition of a city manager (chief administrative officer) and making the offices of Tax Collector and Town and City Clerk appointed instead of being chosen by voters. Those changes were approved by voters who were asked an all inclusive, unclear question: “Shall the remainder of the changes to the city charter, as recommended by the charter revision commission be approved?”

At issue in New Britain was the Common Council approving a question combining different and major changes recommended by the charter commission without explanation on the ballot. The Commission report and recommendations called for an additional question or two on the ballot for clarity but the Republican super majority at the time ignored the charter commission.

State Rep. Gary Turco (D-27) testified in support of HB 5494 at the March 18th hearing, citing “very broad and non-transparent” charter questions in Newington and New Britain in 2022: “Currently, voters are asked to vote on a referendum change and the ballot language can be very broad and non-transparent. This is not in the best interest of the voters or the governing of our municipalities,” said Turco. Turco represents a voting district in New Britain’s Ward 2 and the Town of Newington.

New Britain LWV Secretary Ann Speyer told the GAE Committee that “municipal Charter Revision is too important to be on the ballot without clearly stated questions. Voters are frequently asked to choose yes or no on the question “Do you support the recommendations of the Charter Revision Commission.” Most voters have little or no idea of what those changes are.” According to Speyer, who led a New Britain committee that drafted a new version of the bill, said voters need specificity on ballot questions. “The first time they become aware of the questions is when they see the ballot. This has happened throughout the state. This bill seeks to provide a safeguard on the language of these ballot questions so voters know what they are voting on when their town seeks to change its Charter.”

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, repeating concerns about 2023 legislation, objected to the charter ballot bill based on “delays” it would cause on the election calendar. Proponents, however, say the revised proposal allows for challenge petitions on the wording of referendums that adhere to the election calendar. “This petition process would rarely be used. This review process would operate long before the date of the referendum, so that any necessary corrections can be made without delaying the election, and without challenging a referendum which has already occurred,” said Attorney Kenneth Speyer of New Britain.

Thomas further objected saying her staff “do not possess the expertise or operational ability to take on the new task of reviewing municipal ballot question language. “We support the intent of increasing clarity for voters concerning local ballot questions, but as currently written, this legislation is extremely problematic for our office,” Thomas testified.

Reflecting the strong public support for HB 5494 at the public hearing, LWV Member Marjola Nelson testified: “I am a resident of New Britain and worked with the League of Women Voters to educate voters about the Charter Revision Questions that were on the ballot in 2022. I could not believe that one of the questions read “Do you support the recommended changes of the Charter Revision Commission” and that within that question there were four substantive changes to the city government. I did not think that this was legal, but it was. It was like pulling the wool over the electorate’s eyes.”

GAE Co-Chair and Stamford Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147) expressed support for the intent of the bill at the hearing. The GAE Committee will review the raised bill and make any revisions before deciding to send it on to the House floor for a vote by the General Assembly. Last year’s proposal received a favorable committee report but was not raised for final action.

John McNamara is New Britain Ward 4 Alderman and Council Majority Leader. He also testified in favor of HB 5494 at the March 18th legislative hearing.