Update: HB-5533 & SB-463 are scheduled for a Public Hearing on 03/13!
Both bills appear to be identical.
HB-5533 Act Concerning Protection of Election Administration Process, Election Sites, Election Works and Electors
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB-5533
SB-463 Act Concerning Protection of Election Administration Process, Election Sites, Election Works and Electors
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB-463
To (1) establish prohibitions on certain conduct, including the possession of a firearm or deadly weapon, at or near certain elections-related locations, (2) impose criminal penalties for harassment of election workers and tampering with or unauthorized sharing of election equipment, and (3) allow for Attorney General involvement in matters relating to subpoenas, warrants, other requests and alleged interference with elections.
Introduced by: Government Administration and Elections Committee
HB-5533 Text of Bill
Raised Bill [doc]
HB-5533 Bill History
3/6/2026 Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections
SB-463 Text if Bill
Raised Bill [doc]
SB-463 Bill History
3/6/2026 Referred to Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections
Commentary: This proposed bill likely needs a number of eyes on it to read and reread to understand what they are proposing. The Democrats tried to ban guns at polling places in 2024 and it failed. They’re back to try again. Some of the things this bill proposes:
- Ban firearms or other deadly weapons within 250 of a polling place, ballot drop box, and possibly other select election related locations. It includes exemptions for person’s private property, securely stored (locked container/locked firearm rack) in vehicle, and passing within 250 feet of such a election site on way to place or location other than election site.
- Ban ICE and other federal agents unless Governor approves from within 250 feet of polling places.
- No person shall be required to present any form of identification within two hundred fifty feet of any elections site.
- No person shall wear any mask or other covering that obscures the face, head or identity of such person within two hundred fifty feet of any elections site, unless such mask or other covering is medically necessary or of religious significance.