Sec. 9-246. Duties of mechanics. Repairs made on election day. Required reports. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 9-246. Duties of mechanics. Repairs made on election day. Required reports. (a) The mechanic or mechanics shall file a written report of the condition of each machine certifying that (1) they have prepared the machines, (2) all the counters are set at zero (000), (3) all the ballot labels are properly placed thereon, (4) the grouping mechanism has been properly adjusted according to the ballot labels and (5) each machine is otherwise in readiness for the election. This report shall include the number of each machine and a statement of any defects or features of the machine that need attention or correction. The mechanic or mechanics shall also place upon each of the machines a numbered metal seal, secured in such a way that, before any movement of the registering or voting mechanism can be effected, such seal will be destroyed or broken. All voting machines shall be transferred to the polling places in charge of an elector authorized by the registrars of voters under whose direction the voting machines are to be prepared, as provided in section 9-240a; and such elector shall certify to their delivery in good order. Additional machines required under section 9-238 shall be so located by the registrars of voters as to be available for immediate transfer to the polling places within the municipality. The mechanic or mechanics shall have custody of the keys of the voting machines only when they are at work on such machines, and immediately thereafter such keys shall be returned to the municipal clerk. The return of such keys shall, in each case, be made before the day of election.

      (b) The mechanic or mechanics shall file a written report detailing any repairs made to a machine on the day of an election. This report shall certify (1) the number of the machine, (2) the time when the problem occurred, (3) a summary description of the work performed, and (4) that no repairs were made to the machine, after any vote was cast on the day of an election, that would affect the manner in which votes were recorded on the machine.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1197; 1953, S. 723d; 1957, P.A. 561, S. 8; 1959, P.A. 487, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 355, S. 5; P.A. 83-475, S. 19, 43; P.A. 04-113, S. 6.)

      History: 1959 act provided for registrars rather than selectmen, wardens and mayors to appoint the elector in charge of transferring the voting machines to the polling places; 1969 act provided that additional machines be located so as to be available for immediate transfer, effective with respect to all elections held on or after January 1, 1970; P.A. 83-475 added Subsec. (b) requiring report re election day repairs; P.A. 04-113 added Subsec. (b)(4) re certification that no repairs were made to machine that would affect recording of votes, effective May 21, 2004.