HB 535-FN-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED

2019 SESSION

19-0348

11/03

HOUSE BILL 535-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT relating to early voting for persons aged 60 or older.

SPONSORS: Rep. Komi, Hills. 43

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

This bill permits persons 60 years of age or older to vote up to 5 weeks prior to the date of a general election under procedures approved by the secretary of state.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

19-0348

11/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

AN ACT relating to early voting for persons aged 60 or older.

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

1  New Section; Elections; Election Procedure; Voting Procedure; Early Voting.  Amend RSA 659 by inserting after section 12 the following new section:

659:12-a  Early Voting for Persons Aged 60 Years or Older.  Any person aged 60 years or older registered to vote at least 5 weeks prior to a primary election shall be entitled to vote in that primary election and the ensuing state general election at any time beginning 5 weeks prior to the date of the primary or general election through the day before the primary or general election.  The secretary of state shall determine the process and procedure used to verify voter checklists, cast ballots, store ballots, and deliver results of any votes cast pursuant to this section.

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

LBAO

19-0348

1/11/19

HB 535-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relating to early voting for persons aged 60 or older.

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [ X ] Local              [    ] None

METHODOLOGY:

This bill allows any person aged 60 years or older to vote 5 weeks prior to a primary or general election.  The Secretary of State is required to determine the process and procedure to verify voter checklists, cast and store ballots, and deliver results of any votes cast pursuant to this provision.  The Department of State indicates there is no statutory guidance within the legislation and there would be significant costs at both the State and local level for developing procedures, training, printing and the handling of early voting ballots.  Such costs are indeterminable at this time.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of State