Bill > HB1069

This bill enables municipalities and school districts in New Hampshire to optionally hold their local elections on the same day as the state primary election, starting in September 2028. Towns and school districts can choose this option by majority vote at an annual or special meeting, and must notify the secretary of state in writing by December 31 of the year before implementing the change. If a municipality or school district adopts this option, they will continue to hold other required meetings (such as deliberative sessions or budget meetings) on their traditional dates, with only the officer election moving to the state primary date. To encourage participation, the bill mandates that the state will fully reimburse local governments for all direct election costs, including ballot printing, election staffing, polling place expenses, voter notifications, and result tallying. The state treasurer must establish a dedicated budget line item to cover these reimbursement costs, and the secretary of state will develop rules for the reimbursement process. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, providing municipalities and school districts with flexibility in scheduling their local elections while ensuring they are not financially burdened by the change.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1574&inflect=2