The Brookfield Board of Selectmen has approved an updated contingency plan for election emergencies.  It's something that's mandated of municipalities by the state and filed with the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office.  The plans must cover various scenarios, including loss of power and polling station evacuation and relocation.  The emergency plans must also detail the hiring and training poll workers to ensure voting locations are adequately staffed on election day.  Brookfield's health director is now included on the list of emergency management officials tasked with guiding preparation and response for elections, primaries, and referendums.  One scenario not covered was one that came up during the budget referendum in May.  49 outdated ballots from the 2021 referendum kept in a closet were used by polling workers at the Brookfield High School gym and cast by residents.  The ballots were counted based on voter intent.  Municipalities are required by state records retention laws to hold onto unused ballots for 60 days after an election and may destroy them without getting permission from the state’s election authority.  Now they will be stored in a vault and shredded eventually.