Sec. 9-43. Procedure for removal of name for nonresidence. When the registrars in any municipality are unable to agree upon the removal from the registry list of such municipality of the name of any elector concerning whom the claim is made by either registrar that such elector does not maintain a residence within such municipality, the registrars shall send to such elector, by registered or certified mail at the address at which his name appears on such list, a notice and return card required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, that his right to have his name retained on such list has been challenged; and, unless such elector has filed with the registrars, not later than seven days before the next succeeding regular election or primary to be held in such municipality, an application for the retention of his electoral privileges therein, the registrars shall place his name on the inactive registry list compiled under section 9-35. Such challenge may be made, and notice thereof sent, at any time except for the period of five weeks before any regular election to be held in such municipality. Such application for the retention of electoral privileges shall be a signed and sworn application in form substantially as follows:

      "I, ...., (insert name of elector) an elector of the town of .... (insert name of town) now registered at .... (insert name of street, and number, if any) do hereby state under oath that I maintain a place of abode at .... (insert name of street, and number, if any) within such town; that my absence is temporary from said town for the following reasons: ....; that it is my present intention to maintain a domicile and residence in said town and return thereto whenever the necessity for temporary absence has ceased; that I am not now registered elsewhere as an elector nor have I any present intention so to register.

      .... (Signature of elector)

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this .... day of ...., 20.., at ....

      ....

Notary Public or other officer
empowered to administer oaths".

Upon receipt of such application, if either registrar, in writing signed by him, certifies on such application that he believes such claim of residence has sufficient foundation in fact, the name of such elector shall be retained on the active registry list of the municipality and his right to vote therein at the next succeeding regular election or primary shall not be challenged by the registrars because of any question of residence. Otherwise, the name of such elector shall be placed on the inactive registry list for four years and then removed from the registry list. All applications herein provided for shall be kept by the registrars as a permanent record; and, when no application for retention of his electoral privilege is received from any elector whose right to have his name retained on the registry list is challenged under the provisions of this section, the registrars shall keep as a permanent record evidence that the notice required by this section has been sent in the manner provided herein.

      (1949 Rev., S. 1005; 1953, S. 545d; 1959, P.A. 125; P.A. 75-348, S. 6, 11; P.A. 80-281, S. 6, 31; P.A. 94-121, S. 27, 33.)

      History: 1959 act added provisions for oath, statement of reasons for absence, and notarization of elector's signature; P.A. 75-348 added provision that where elector's name restored to list his right to vote at next succeeding regular election shall not be challenged by the registrars on any question of residence; P.A. 80-281 added "a primary" to "next succeeding regular election" where appearing; P.A. 94-121 added reference to return cards required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and added requirements re inactive registry list, effective January 1, 1995; (Revisor's note: In 2001 the reference in this section to the date "19.." was changed editorially by the Revisors to "20.." to reflect the new millennium).