Bill > HB294

This bill modifies New Hampshire's election laws regarding the processing of absentee ballots by removing a previous provision that allowed 10 or more voters to challenge and postpone absentee ballot processing until after the polls close. Under the new provision, the moderator (an election official responsible for managing polling place operations) must publicly announce and post the specific time when absentee ballots will begin to be processed, doing so at least 24 hours before the polls open and again when the polls initially open. This change aims to increase transparency in the absentee ballot processing procedure by requiring advance notice of processing times, while eliminating the ability of a group of voters to delay ballot processing. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, giving election officials and local jurisdictions time to prepare for and implement the new requirements.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0659&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB294