HB 197-LOCAL – AS INTRODUCED

2011 SESSION

11-0650

03/05

HOUSE BILL 197-LOCAL

AN ACT relative to processing absentee ballots.

SPONSORS: Rep. Day, Hills 7

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS

This bill eliminates certain restrictions relating to when absentee ballots may be processed.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11-0650

03/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven

AN ACT relative to processing absentee ballots.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Processing Absentee Ballots. Amend RSA 659:49 to read as follows:

659:49 Processing Absentee Ballots.

[I.] Processing of previously received absentee ballots [shall] may begin [at 1:00 p.m.] any time after the moderator declares the polls open. The processing of the absentee ballots shall not unnecessarily interfere with normal voting procedures, nor shall the polls be closed at any time during the processing of such ballots. Absentee ballots which are received [after 1:00 p.m. and] prior to 5:00 p.m. on election day shall be processed as soon after receipt as possible. Under no circumstances shall absentee ballots be segregated and counted [prior to the closing of the polls] separately as absentee ballots, but they shall be intermingled with all other ballots, after being processed through the checklist, and they shall be counted with all other ballots after the polls are closed.

[II. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, upon the written challenges of 10 or more voters who are present at the polls no later than 1:00 p.m., the moderator shall postpone the processing of all absentee ballots until after the polls close and prior to the counting of all ballots cast in the election.]

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.