Registrar of Voters Training Program

*Please Note: The Office of the Secretary of the State has been working with municipalities to finalize guides and resources related to Early Voting. More details on this evolving effort are listed below under "Updates for Early Voting." *

Connecticut General Statue Section 9-192a details the Registrar of Voters Education and Certification Exam Program (ROV Program). The goal of this program is to establish training, examination, and certification criteria for Registrars of Voters for all Connecticut municipalities. The ROV program was initially administered through the UConn School of Business-Connecticut Information Technology Institute (CITI) from 2015-2023, but transitioned to the UConn School of Public Policy as of August 2023. The ROV Program has eight content sections, often referred to as "modules" in previous program iterations. The ROV Program has two distinct courses, each consisting of four sections respectively, and grouped thematically by content. Topics include election administration, laws and regulations; voter registration and list maintenance, petitions, preparing for and conducting elections, managing absentee and early voting; and understanding post election audit and recanvassing. Once Registrars complete all eight sections, they are able to take a final Certification Exam to complete the program.

Overview of ROV Course 1 & Included Sections

Note: It is strongly encouraged for all Registrars to begin with Section 1 as that provides a foundational overview. Other sections can be taken "out of sequence" or at your discretion, but all sections between the two course clusters would need to be completed prior to getting access to the Certification Exam.

Section 1 – Election Administration, Laws, and Regulations

This section provides a general overview of the election administration landscape. This section will discuss the federal and state agencies that are responsible for election administration, the federal and state election laws that apply, the political parties and their role in the Connecticut election process, as well as the structure of our federal, state, and municipal government. This section helps Registrars better understand how their roles and responsibilities fit into the election administration landscape.

Section 2 – Voter Registration, Maintaining Voter Lists, Service to Voters

This section provides a comprehensive review of the roles and responsibilities of the Registrars of Voters with respect to all aspects of voter registration and the annual canvass. Specifically, this section will cover those individuals that qualify as “admitting officials” for voter registration purposes, the qualifications for being an elector, the types of registration applications and the way to process them, the voter registration lists required by law, the record-keeping requirements pertaining to voter registration related materials, and the required voter registration sessions. In addition, we will review the ways to keep the registry list current and accurate and how to conduct the annual canvass properly.

Section 3 – Registrars Office Management

This section will discuss several areas that fall within Registrars’ office management responsibilities. These include a brief discussion of helpful election administration resources, an overview of Registrar's ethical responsibilities, personal issues including the role of registrars, deputies, assistant registrars, special assistants and assistants, public relations, budgeting, record retention and disposition requirements, redistricting and polling place selection duties.

Section 4 – Petitions

This section will provide an overview of the uses of nominating petitions, primary petitions, and presidential preference primary petitions. In addition, it will provide a detailed review of the Registrar’s role and responsibilities throughout the primary petition process. Finally, Section 4 will discuss the write-in candidacy process.

Registration and Course Access Instructions for Course 1 (Sections 1-4)

Registrars will register for an ROV Course, which will include four sections. Registration and payment steps will be administered via "UConn Genius," and course content will be hosted on the online learning platform "HuskyCT."  To access this payment and registration portal in Genius, users can visit the following link and use the "Catalog" button: UConn Genius Landing Page for ROV Program. After registration, this link can be used for returning users to access the ROV Program content by signing in with the username and password provided during registration. Alternatively, post-registration returning users can access their ROV Program course content by signing into the "Guest Access" button on HuskyCT directly here: UConn HuskyCT.

The following links provide helpful guides for new and returning users: Course Registration Guide | Guide to Accessing ROV Course Content

Overview of ROV Course 2 & Included Sections

Section 5 – Preparing for Elections, Primaries, Referenda, EDR

This section will address the various obligations and duties of the registrars and other election officials that arise throughout the year in preparation for primaries and general elections, as well as referenda. It will include a discussion of the process by which polling locations are established, election workers are engaged, ballots are prepared, and tabulators are set up and tested. This Section will also address a variety of other election-related topics, including minority representation, vacancy elections, primaries, and referenda.

Section 6 – Conducting Elections, Primaries, Referenda, EDR

This section describes the processes by which primaries, referenda, and elections are conducted, including election day registration. It includes a discussion of the election officials who participate in these elections and their respective roles and the manner in which the polling places are set up. It also discusses the resolution of issues that frequently arise at the polls. The Section also covers the process by which the polls are closed and the results are certified. Finally, this Section discusses the purposes and procedures by which Election Day Registration is conducted.

Section 7 – Absentee Voting, Supervised Absentee Voting

This section will provide an overview of the absentee voting process from the application submission to the counting on election day. It will include a discussion of different types of absentee ballots as well as emergency absentee voting. Finally, it will discuss mandatory and discretionary supervised absentee voting and the registrars’ roles in that process.

Section 8 – Post-Election Audits and Recanvasses

This section will provide an overview of the purposes of and procedures for conducting post-election audits and recanvasses. It will also identify the various circumstances under which a recanvass may be required.

Registration Instructions for Course 2 (Sections 5-8)

Registrars will register for an ROV Course, which will include four sections. Registration and payment steps will be administered via "UConn Genius," and course content will be hosted on the online learning platform "HuskyCT."  To access this payment and registration portal in Genius, users can visit the following link and use the "Catalog" button: UConn Genius Landing Page for ROV Program. After registration, this link can be used for returning users to access the ROV Program content by signing in with the username and password provided during registration. Alternatively, post-registration returning users can access their ROV Program course content by signing into the "Guest Access" button on HuskyCT directly here: UConn HuskyCT.

The following links provide helpful guides for new and returning users: Course Registration Guide | Guide to Accessing ROV Course Content

Certification Exam

Certification Exam Eligiblity

In order to sit for the exam, Registrars must have previously paid for and completed all sections within existing ROV Program courses - including any required quizzes and knowledge checks. No Exceptions.

Certification Exam Logistics

  • This exam is 2 hours long and is open book. You may use your class handouts.
  • The exam is 50 questions, including a mix of true or false and multiple choice questions.
  • A passing grade for the certification exam is 70% or better.

Updates for Early Voting

(Last Updated 03/13/2024) Related to recent statutory changes and the implementation of this expanded access to voting in 2024, the Office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS) has worked with municipalities to create guides related to Early Voting. As these details are added to the ROV Program courses themselves, representatives from SOTS and UConn School of Public Policy wanted to make this information as accessible as possible. As new materials and resources are developed they will be added here and woven into ROV Program course content as possible. Specific questions can still be directed to lead@ct.gov, with other SOTS contacts available here: CT SOTS Contact Information Link

Program Transition: Supporting "In-Progress" Registrars and Navigating Updates

Clarification of “Modules” vs. “Sections”

For Registrars who previously took part in the ROV Program while it was administered by UConn CITI from 2015-2023, there were 8 distinct "modules" to complete. In the program format used from December 2023 onwards, course content is clustered into two class groupings (Class 1 = Sections 1-4, Class 2 = Sections 5-8). If the term "module" is used in any description, please know that is synonymous with "section." While the ROV Program was put on hiatus and updated from September-November 2023, course content was updated and the order of content was slightly re-arranged when compared to the program administered by UConn CITI. Below is a chart to help explain the transition/re-arranging of ROV Program content.

Old "Module" Label New "Section" Label
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 5
5 6
6 7
7 8
8 4

Support for Registrars Returning to the ROV Program

Registrars who have yet to begin this certification program will follow instructions aimed at new users. For Registrars who took part in the ROV Program while it was administered by UConn CITI, your previous course completion and payment records have been shared with staff from UConn SPP. For Registrars/municipalities that have users in-progress and have submitted payments, those payments will carry forward into the new program and payment will only be required for remaining content. To obtain instructions about processing registrations and payments which reflect previously completed/paid for content, please email UConn SPP staff directly at rov@uconn.edu for direct assistance.

Please note: given that module/section content has been updated as the program was transitioned from UConn CITI to UConn SPP, including the certification exam, upon course registration in-progress Registrars will be provided access to all course content to allow them to prepare for their certification exam.

ROV Program Costs

Content Cost Payment Method
Class 1 - Sections 1-4 $800 Credit Card, ACH
Class 2 - Sections 5-8 $800 Credit Card, ACH
Final Certification Exam N/A - Covered Through Course 1&2 Registration N/A

Municipal Registrars may have been in the midst of the ROV Program as the September - November 2023 program shutdown and content update occurred. For those impacted Registrars, they can work directly with UConn School of Public Policy staff to arrange for payments and access to specific remaining content as necessary to complete the program. Inquiries and requests should be sent to ROV@uconn.edu.

Location and Parking

In-person workshops are held at:
University of Connecticut Hartford Campus
Hartford Times Building
10 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT 06103

Please use the HTB entrance located on Front Street, across from Barnes & Noble. Follow posted signs to the program.

Parking
Connecticut Convention Center Parking Garage
100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103

 

Meet the ROV Program Instructors

Richard Roberts Photo

Richard Roberts

Richard Roberts is a partner at Halloran Sage, where he represents municipalities in the full range of their legal needs. He provides legal counsel to them in real estate acquisitions and sales, land use, charter revisions, drafting and review of ordinances, election  law and property tax issues.  He has been an instructor at the University of Connecticut's Registrar of Voters Certification Program since 2017.  He is a member of the executive committee of the Planning and Zoning Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association, a member of the Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire Bar Associations, and a member of the Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys. He actively participates in the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the Connecticut Council of Small Towns, and the Connecticut Town & City Management Association.  He is also a member of the General Assembly’s Task force appointed to recommend revisions to the municipal law section of the General Statutes. Rich’s investment in his broader community is apparent through his many active roles in the public sphere. Rich is recognized in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 publications of The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Land Use and Zoning Law; Municipal Law; and Real Estate Law.

 

Shannon Bergquist

Shannon Bergquist Photo

Shannon Bergquist

Attorney Bergquist graduated from Colby College in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in Government as well as a juris doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 2003. She has been an instructor at the University of Connecticut's Registrar of Voters Certification Program since 2016. She has also served as an attorney in the State Elections Enforcement Commission's Enforcement Unit, was an election support officer for the Office of the Secretary of the State, a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas A. Bishop of the Connecticut Appellate Court, and has handled various bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters at Baker, O'Sullivan and Bliss, P.C. Attorney Bergquist also served as the vice-chairperson of the Town of Colchester’s Ethics Commission.

 

Additional Registrar Resources

For more information or questions, please contact UConn School of Public Policy Staff at ROV@uconn.edu or call 959-200-3768.

Thomas Phillips

Building Effective Management and Leadership Skills: What is Required for the Next Generation of Public and Nonprofit Executives

With Thomas L. Phillips of TL Phillips Consulting Services

Friday, May 14, 2021
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (with 30 minute break)
Live virtual session

Please Note:
This workshop will require participants to purchase and complete the CliftonStrengths assessment survey prior to the workshop.  The survey fee will be an additional $19.99 (purchased separately). See more information in the following "About the Program" section.

About the Program

Overview

Connecticut is demographically one of the oldest states in the country.  Many public and nonprofit organizations are facing “brain drain” challenges related to the loss of senior executives, including their knowledge and expertise, as more “baby boomers” continue to retire.  In some cases, these organizations do not have well developed succession plans and are not properly enhancing existing and developing new required management and leadership skills/competencies of their mid-level executives, which would allow them to more effectively transition into senior executive level positions.  In addition, the current pandemic has caused much disruption and uncertainty, requiring many organization’s management teams to both pivot and adapt to their new normal.  It is therefore critical for both sectors to develop these individuals and their skills more proactively and aggressively, to ensure their organizations stay competitive, effectively serve their customers, and achieve long term sustainability.

Description

This half-day workshop includes six essential Learning Modules (LM) that cover a variety of important and timely management and leadership related topics. Each participant will be required to take the Top 5 CliftonStrengths assessment survey in advance of the workshop with the results collectively shared and discussed. This tool allows you to identify and play to your top 5 strengths at work and in your personal life. There is a cost of $19.99 to purchase and take the survey. The assessment tool should be purchased online by participants and completed no later than a week before the workshop, so you have time to review the results. The assessment can be purchased using the following link: https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10265/cliftonstrengths-for-students-top-5.

The workshop is also designed to be interactive through group exercises and collective dialogue, as much can also be learned from the participants.

The following are the list of Learning Modules that will be presented:

  1. Top 5 CliftonStrengths Assessment Survey Results
  2. Developing Critical Leadership Skills
  3. Organization/Individual Core Values
  4. Importance of Innovation
  5. Convener Skills
  6. Facilitation Skills

Outcome

Participants will enhance their existing and learn new management and leadership skills through both the LM sessions/ exercises and collective dialogue, which will help prepare them to more effectively assume higher senior executive roles and responsibilities in support of their organization’s mission and brand.

Who Should Attend?

Senior/mid-level managers being identified/cultivated by your organization or those individuals aspiring to higher level executive leadership career positions. Also helpful for current senior executives interested in honing their existing management and leadership skill sets.