State Summary
Connecticut statute specifies different thresholds to trigger a recount. For general elections, the margin of victory must be either less than 0.5% of the total votes cast for the office (but not more than 2,000 votes), or less than 20 votes; a recount is also automatic in the case of tie (See “Close Vote Margin Options” for more). The election moderator (individual overseeing a polling place or central count facility) may initiate a recount. State law does not specify a completion deadline for recounts. Recounts are conducted through a mix of retabulation and hand counting.
Counting Method
Mix of hand count and retabulation
Connecticut conducts what it refers to as a “recanvass,” which is primarily a voting machine retabulation but utilizes some counting by hand. See the General Statutes of Connecticut, (CT Gen Stat), Title 9, Chapter 148, Sections 9-311 & 9-311(a).
Counting methods for machine retabulations and hand counted ballots are described on pages 8-11 of the Recanvass Procedure Manual. See also the Regulations of the Connecticut Agencies, 9-242a-28.
The composition of the team of recanvass officials that conduct the counting is described on page 5 of the Recanvass Procedure Manual.
Initiating Mechanisms
Close vote margin
Election official-initiated
Election Official-Initiated Recounts: The election moderator (the person in charge of the polling place or central absentee counting location) may conduct a recanvass if they believe there to be discrepancies in any of the returns. CT Gen Stat § 9-311.
Timing: The moderator may initiate a recanvass any time within three days after the election. Recanvass officials must meet by the fifth business day after the election to begin the recanvass. CT Gen Stat § 9-311(a)(1).
Close Vote Margin Options
Less than or equal to 0.5%
Vote count difference (not percentage-based)
Varies by election contest
Initiated automatically
Connecticut has two different thresholds for a close vote margin to trigger a recanvass. For general elections, the difference between the apparent winning candidate and the next candidate must be "(1) less than a vote equivalent to one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes cast for the office but not more than two thousand votes, or (2) less than twenty votes." Note that the first initiating mechanism has two margins described (less than 0.5% and less than two thousand votes). The election results must fall within both margins to qualify for a recanvass. The second initiating mechanism has only a single margin (less than twenty votes). CT Gen Stat § 9-311(a).
For primaries, there will be a recanvass “when the plurality of an elected or nominated candidate over the vote for a defeated candidate receiving the next highest number of votes was either (1) less than a vote equivalent to one-half of one per cent of the total number of votes cast at the primary for the office or position but not more than one thousand votes, or (2) less than twenty votes.” CT Gen Stat § 9-445.
Close vote margin recanvasses are applicable to all elected offices at the municipal, district, and state level, with presidential electors specially defined as a statewide office for recanvassing purposes. CT Gen Stat § 9-311(a). Close vote margin recanvasses are also available for ballot questions. CT Gen Stat § 9-370(a).
Timing: CT Gen Stat § 9-311(a) and § 9-445.
Candidate-Initiated Options
Connecticut state law does not provide for candidate-initiated recounts.
Voter-Initiated Options
Connecticut state law does not provide for voter-initiated recounts.
Cost for Candidate-Initiated Recounts
Connecticut state law does not provide for candidate-initiated recounts.
Cost for Voter-Initiated Recounts
Connecticut state law does not provide for voter-initiated recounts.
Challengers and Observers
Party/candidate/initiator may appoint observers; no guidance on challengers; recount is public
“All recanvassing procedures shall be open to public observation.” CT Gen Stat § 9-311(b).
Each chairman of the town committee of each political party which nominated candidates for the election” may send representatives to the recanvass. Such representatives are only allowed to observe the recanvass, but they may present evidence of any observed irregularities in a court contest related to the election. CT Gen Stat § 9-311(a).
See the guidance for candidates, appointed observers, and the public on page 12 of the Recanvass Procedure Manual.
Rules for Determining Voter Intent
While voter intent is not defined in Connecticut statute, pages 30-31 of the Recanvass Procedure Manual provide guidance on determining voter intent.
Resources
CT Gen Stat § 9-311
CT Gen Stat § 9-370(a)
CT Gen Stat § 9-445
Recanvass Procedure Manual
Regulations of the Connecticut Agencies Sec. 9-242a-28