Merrill wants Conn. Senate to back election bill

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is calling on the full Connecticut Senate to support an election reform bill that comes in the wake of last year's election, complicated by a ballot shortage in Bridgeport.

The legislation would require every municipality to either purchase enough ballots for all registered voters or report to the Secretary of the State about how many they plan to order and certify how they've taken into account other factors that might boost turnout.

Merrill originally proposed the bill in February. It passed the General Assembly's Government Administration and Elections Committee on Wednesday with bipartisan support. It now awaits action in the Senate.

It also calls for improved training of moderators at the polls and requires cities and towns to adopt emergency contingency plans on Election Day.