Bill > HB693

This bill modifies ballot counting procedures in New Hampshire by allowing voters more flexibility in how their ballots are processed and giving local election officials additional hand counting authority. Specifically, the bill permits voters to request a hand count of their ballot instead of using an electronic ballot counting device, and provides selectmen and town clerks the discretion to conduct supplemental hand counts to confirm election results or to hand count ballots from machines that failed during voting. The legislation requires privacy folders to be available for voters carrying ballots, and maintains that the moderator will continue to oversee vote counting by election officers. While the bill does not provide additional funding, the Department of State notes it could potentially increase local election expenditures due to the additional time and labor required for hand counting, with potential costs ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per polling location. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, and aims to provide more transparency and options in the ballot counting process while preserving existing election infrastructure.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0532&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB693