Sec. 9-243. Mechanics. Instruction and certification by the Secretary of the State. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 9-243. Mechanics. Instruction and certification by the Secretary of the State. Prior to an election, the registrars of voters shall appoint a suitable mechanic or mechanics who shall, under their direction, prepare, adjust and place the voting machines for use at the election, including additional machines required under section 9-238. Prior to a primary, the registrar, as defined in section 9-372, shall appoint a suitable mechanic or mechanics who shall perform such duties in connection with the primary under the direction of the registrar. Such mechanic or mechanics shall be sworn to perform their duties honestly and faithfully and, for such purpose, shall be considered as election officials and shall be paid for the time spent in the discharge of their duties in the same manner as election officials are paid. Such mechanic or mechanics shall not be required to be an elector of any town. Such mechanic or mechanics shall be allowed such assistance as is necessary by such registrars. Any person appointed to be a mechanic shall attend an instructional session conducted by the Secretary of the State. The secretary may employ assistants on a temporary basis for the purpose of conducting such session. Such assistants shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 67. Upon completion of such instructional session, the secretary shall certify that each such mechanic is authorized to serve at any election or primary. Such certification shall be effective for four years from the date of such certification.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1197; 1953, S. 720d; 1957, P.A. 561, S. 5; 1959, P.A. 487, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 355, S. 3; P.A. 80-215, S. 5; P.A. 81-467, S. 4, 8; P.A. 82-426, S. 6, 14; 82-472, S. 27, 183; P.A. 87-472, S. 12; P.A. 94-203, S. 7, 12.)

      History: 1959 act placed appointment of mechanics with registrars rather than selectmen, wardens and mayors; 1969 act added references to additional machines required under Sec. 9-238; P.A. 80-215 provided that mechanics shall not be required to be an elector of any town; P.A. 81-467 required persons appointed as voting machine mechanics to attend instructional sessions conducted by the secretary of the state; P.A. 82-426 extended provisions of section to mechanics for primaries and deleted requirement that mechanics' appointments be made at least three months before election; P.A. 82-472 made a technical correction; P.A. 87-472 added provisions re five-year certifications for qualifying mechanics; P.A. 94-203 made all certifications effective for four years, effective July 1, 1994.

      See Sec. 9-249 re instruction of election officials in use of voting machine.