Revision: March 27, 2014, midnight
SB 183-FN – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
01/30/14 2239s
2013 SESSION
03/04
SENATE BILL 183-FN
AN ACT relative to identification of voters, processing absentee ballots, and voluntary political expenditure limitations.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pierce, Dist 5; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Lasky, Dist 13; Sen. Kelly, Dist 10; Rep. Perry, Straf 3; Rep.?Knowles, Hills 37; Rep. Hoelzel, Rock 3
COMMITTEE: Public and Municipal Affairs
This bill:
I. Clarifies additional forms of identification for voters.
II. Eliminates certain restrictions relating to when absentee ballots may be processed.
III. Increases voluntary campaign expenditure limits.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
01/30/14 2239s
13-0894
03/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT relative to identification of voters, processing absentee ballots, and voluntary political expenditure limitations.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Obtaining a Ballot. Amend RSA 659:13, II(b) to read as follows:
(b) In addition to the forms of photo identification authorized in subparagraph (a), the following shall satisfy the identification requirements of paragraph I:
(1) A photo identification not authorized by subparagraph (a) but determined to be legitimate by the supervisors of the checklist, the moderator, or the town [or], city, or ward clerk, provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to the use of such photo identification, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit as if no identification was presented.
(2) Verification of the person’s identity by a moderator or supervisor of the checklist or the town [or], city, or ward clerk, provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to such verification, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit.
2 Obtaining a Ballot. Amend RSA 659:13, II(b) to read as follows:
(b) In addition to the forms of photo identification authorized in subparagraph (a), the identification requirements of paragraph I may be satisfied by verification of the person’s identity by a moderator or supervisor of the checklist or the town [or], city, or ward clerk, provided that if any person authorized to challenge a voter under RSA 659:27 objects to such verification, the voter shall be required to execute a challenged voter affidavit.
3 Processing Absentee Ballots. Amend RSA 659:49 to read as follows:
659:49 Processing Absentee Ballots.
I. Processing of previously received absentee ballots shall begin at 10:00 a.m. for polls that open no later than 9:00 a.m. For polling places that open after 9:00 a.m. the processing of absentee ballots shall begin at 1:00 p.m. At least 24 hours before the polls open, the moderator, or his or her designee, shall post at the polling place and one other public location the time at which the processing of absentee ballots shall begin. The processing of the absentee ballots shall not unnecessarily interfere with normal voting procedures, nor shall the polls be closed at any time [during the] for the processing of such ballots during normal polling hours. Absentee ballots which are received after [1:00 p.m.] the start time for processing absentee ballots and prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election shall be processed as soon after receipt as possible. Under no circumstances shall absentee [ballots] ballot votes be counted prior to the closing of the polls.
II. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, upon the written challenges of 10 or more voters who are present at the polls no later than [1:00 p.m.] the posted start time for processing absentee ballots, the moderator shall postpone the processing of all absentee ballots until after the polls close and prior to the counting of all ballots cast in the election.
4 Political Expenditure Limitation Amounts. Amend RSA 664:5-b to read as follows:
664:5-b Political Expenditure Limitation Amounts. Total expenditures by a candidate who voluntarily agrees to limit campaign expenditures as provided in RSA 664:5-a shall be as follows:
I. For governor:
(a) [$625,000] $1,000,000 in a state primary election.
(b) [$625,000] $1,000,000 in a state general election.
[I-a. For United States senator:
(a) $625,000 in a state primary election.
(b) $625,000 in a state general election.
II. For representative to Congress:
(a) $350,000 in a state primary election.
(b) $350,000 in a state general election.]
[III.] II. For executive council:
(a) [$50,000] $75,000 in a state primary election.
(b) [$50,000] $75,000 in a state general election.
[IV.] III. For state senate:
(a) [$20,000] $50,000 in a state primary election.
(b) [$20,000] $50,000 in a state general election.
[V.] IV. For representative to the general court and all county offices, based upon the latest figures filed with the secretary of state:
(a) [$.50] $1.00 per registered voter in the district or the county in a state primary election.
(b) [$.50] $1.00 per registered voter in the district or the county in a state general election.
[VI.] V. For the purposes of this section, RSA 664:5-a, and the enforcement provisions of this chapter, “total expenditures” shall mean the sum of all expenditures made to influence either a state primary or a state general election made by a candidate and those made on the candidate’s behalf by the candidate’s committee or committees, the candidate’s party, and the candidate’s immediate family. For candidates for governor, United States senator, representative to Congress, state senate, state representative, and executive council, “total expenditures” shall include any such expenditures made after January 1 of the election year, regardless of when the person actually declares his or her candidacy. Each campaign expenditure limitation amount shall apply solely and independently to either the state primary election or the state general election.
5 Repeal. RSA 659:46, relative to delivery of absentee ballots to moderator, is repealed.
6 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect September 1, 2015, at 12:03 a.m.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
LBAO
13-0894
01/22/13
SB 183-FN – FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to proof of identity by voters.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Due to time constraints, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to provide a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, at this time. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the Senate Clerk's Office.