New Law Requires Study of "Push Polling" and Permanent Paper Voting Records
Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26) and Representative Cathy C. Tymniak (R-133) today applauded
Governor M. Jodi Rell's signature on Senate Bill 55, which makes a variety of changes to the state's election laws. Both Senator Freedman and Representative Tymniak were co-sponsors of this legislation, Senate Bill 55, which previously had received unanimous approval in both the state Senate and state House of Representatives. Among other changes, the bill calls for the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) to study the use of "push polling" in Connecticut campaigns and requires permanent paper records to help ensure the accuracy of the vote. "I would like to thank Governor Rell for giving final approval to this legislation which is of great importance to every voter in the state," said Senator Freedman, who serves as the Senate ranking member of the General Assembly's Government Administration and Elections (GAE) Committee. "Already, Maine and Florida have laws on their books that require those who conduct push polls to disclose the identities of their clients. Once our comprehensive study is completed, the state can determine whether or not legislative action in necessary."
Rep. Tymniak praised the safeguards in the new law that requires a permanent paper record that can be recounted, if necessary, to guarantee the accuracy of the vote. She also noted the new law allows individuals with disabilities to receive assistance with the new electronic voting machines, as they have with older style machines.
"It is important for people to know that their vote will be counted and that new voting machines will produce a permanent paper trail that is both secret and accurate," said Rep. Tymniak. "As the nation moves to computerized voting, this should go a long way to assuring people of the integrity of the vote."
"Push polling" is defined in Senate Bill 55 as a paid telephone survey or series of similar surveys that reference a candidate or group of candidates other than in a basic preference questions. In "push polls, polling organizations use a list or directory to select respondents based on demographic or political information, such as race, age, sex, ethnicity, or party affiliation. Rather than asking demographic questions that are traditionally sufficient to tabulate results in ways consistent with standard polling practices, "push polls" preface questions regarding support for a candidate on the basis of an untrue statement. The primary purpose of these surveys is to suppress or change the call recipients' voting position.
The new law requires the SEEC to submit a report with its findings, conclusions, and any recommended legislation to the GAE Committee by February 1, 2006.
"Our goal is to ensure that Connecticut residents have the chance to learn the true positions held by candidates for public office. This is an important first step for the state to determine the best way to address push polling," added Senator Freedman. |
