Bill > HB1838

This bill establishes a comprehensive voter-owned elections system for executive council candidates in New Hampshire, creating a new voter-owned elections fund and commission. The bill introduces a public financing mechanism where registered voters will receive four $25 certificates that they can assign to participating candidates, and candidates can qualify for public funding by collecting at least 500 qualifying contributions of $5-$125 from individual voters. The fund will be supported by various sources, including a new $1 fee on private passenger vehicle registrations, a $5 increase in vanity plate fees (from $60 to $65), voluntary donations, and certain civil fines. Participating candidates will be limited in their private contributions and personal spending, with a maximum of $1,000 in personal funds allowed. The bill creates a five-member voter-owned elections commission to oversee the program, with members appointed by legislative leadership. Candidates can receive up to $60,000 for a contested general election and $10,000 for a non-contested election, with a total limit of $84,000 per election cycle from voter dollar certificates. The system includes robust reporting requirements, pre- and post-election audits, and significant penalties for violations, ranging from civil fines to potential criminal charges for knowingly violating the law's provisions.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1787&inflect=2