Legislation Call For Clear Language On Charter Referendums
GAE Committee Favors ‘Precise’ Wording On Ballot Questions
The Legislature’s Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) has acted favorably on a bill that will “establish certain minimum requirements for presenting charter or home rule ordinance amendment ballot questions to voters.'”
House Bill 7125, introduced by State Representative Gary Turco (D-27) and supported by New Britain’s legislative delegation, received unanimous support by the GAE on March 12 for a vote by the House of Representatives. If approved by the House the legislation will go to the state Senate for final action.
Endorsed by the New Britain Area League of Women Voters (LWV) the legislation requires municipalities to use “precise” wording on ballots when charter revisions are proposed for:
- Charter changes to the manner in which the Common Council (or governing body of the municipality) is elected.
- Charter changes changing whether specified officials are elected or appointed, or changing their term of office. The office affected would be named in the question, i.e. Treasurer, City Clerk, etc.
- Charter changes which alter residency requirements for municipal department heads.
- Charter changes in the required notification of hearings to the public which affect the budgetary process.
- Creation or Dissolution of Boards and Commissions of the city or town.
Endorsed by the New Britain Area and State League of Women Voters (LWV) for a third year the 2025 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 a March 7th public hearing New Britain LWV Secretary Ann Speyer told the GAE “we became aware of the problem when talking to voters prior to the 2022 election. Nearly every person we spoke to was unaware of the content of the changes proposed to our city charter. The first of the two questions was clearly stated — reorganizing the Common Council into Wards. But the second question simply asked if they support the other changes proposed by the Charter Revision Committee without giving any idea as to what they were. They were not grammatical or editorial changes as was implied by the question; they were substantive changes to the governance of the city. As we spoke to others around the state, we found that this approach is common. It has happened in both cities and towns as well as in municipalities run by either of the parties.”
Common Council Majority Leader John McNamara (D-4) also testified in support of HB 7125 saying his motivation for seeking a Council seat was the manner in which the previous City Council used unclear language to put charter changes on the ballot.
“As an elected official responsible for putting referenda on local ballots I would welcome state election law establishing new standards on charter questions that ‘include a precise and fair explanation of proposed changes.’ The changes on the ballot need to be written clearly and unambiguously. This reform is needed to give local commissions and city councils specific criteria to avoid the one-size fits all questions.”
At the March 7th hearing on SB 7125 more than 20 individuals spoke in support of the bill, including representatives of the state LWV and LWV chapters in the state. Local LWV members and New Britain residents who submitted testimony included NB-LWV President Mary O’Brien, Kerry Ann Kowar, Marjola Nelson, Aimee Pozorski, former State Senator Terry Gerratana, Attorney Ken Speyer and Peggy Riotte.
State Representative Matt Blumenthal (D-147) and State Senator Mae Flexer (D-29), the GAE Co-Chairs, praised revisions to the original version of the bill that now sets specific criteria for local officials to specify the changes being proposed on ballot questions. Speyer and other LWV members formed a committee in 2023 to develop the legislation that received favorable reports but were not voted on by the House or Senate in previous sessions.
The Connecticut General Assembly’s 2025 session will end on June 4th.
