HB 259 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0269
04/08
HOUSE BILL 259
SPONSORS: Rep. Germana, Ches. 1
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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ANALYSIS
This establishes a committee to study whether to make working at polling places on election day a civic responsibility and legal obligation for citizens
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0269
04/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study requiring the secretary of state's office to carry out a feasibility study about making working at polling places on election day a civic responsibility.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties. The committee shall study whether to require the secretary of state's office to carry out a feasibility study about making working at polling places on election day a civic responsibility, similar to serving jury duty. Despite the lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud or systematic error in voting machines, significant numbers of New Hampshire residents continue to doubt the accuracy and legitimacy of our elections. This would help restore confidence in the system by giving Granite Staters the opportunity to see the process in action. Increasing voter confidence will also help reduce the harassment of poll workers that is increasingly common by people who impute nefarious purposes to the poll workers who are performing a public service. Finally, it could lead to higher voter registration, as New Hampshire residents who have not been engaged in the political process before learn about it and its importance for their communities.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2023.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.