(a) On the written request of any elector who identifies himself to the satisfaction of the registrars of voters, such registrars shall make any changes in the name of such elector as it appears on the registry list, provided such elector furnishes reasonable evidence to the registrars that the name as changed is a lawful name of such elector. No such change shall be made between the Tuesday of the fifth week before a regular election and the day of such election.

(b) No such change in the name of a candidate at a primary shall affect the name of the candidate as it appears on the primary ballot. No such change in the name of a major party candidate at an election shall affect the name of such candidate as it appears on the election ballot. No such change in the name of a minor party candidate or a nominating petition candidate for any office at an election shall affect the name of such candidate as it appears on the election ballot.

(February, 1965, P.A. 308, S. 1; P.A. 77-163; P.A. 79-363, S. 9, 38; P.A. 83-475, S. 8, 43; P.A. 87-382, S. 5, 55; P.A. 11-173, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 77-163 deleted enumeration of changes in name authorized; P.A. 79-363 added provision that the elector furnish reasonable evidence to the registrars that the name is a lawful name and deleted other restrictions; P.A. 83-475 established time limits for candidate name changes prior to primary or election; P.A. 87-382 divided section into Subsecs., added Subsec. (a) defining “municipal office” and amended Subsec. (c) to provide that change in name under Subsec. (b) does not affect name of candidate on primary ballot unless elector is candidate for town committee or municipal office, name of major party candidate on election ballot unless elector is candidate for municipal office or name of any minor party candidate or nominating petition candidate on election ballot unless change made by fifty-fifth day preceding election day; P.A. 11-173 deleted former Subsec. (a) re definition of “municipal office”, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as Subsecs. (a) and (b) and amended redesignated Subsec. (b) by deleting language re candidate for town committee or municipal office and re changes made not later than a certain day, effective July 13, 2011.