1 Elections; Nominations by Primary; Filing by Other Candidates. Amend RSA 655-14-a to read as follows:

655:14-a Filing by Other Candidates. Every candidate for state or federal office who intends to have his name placed on the ballot for the state general election by means other than nomination by party primary shall file a declaration of intent with the secretary of state as provided in RSA 655:17-a or RSA 655:17-b during the same time period in which party candidates file a declaration under RSA 655:14 .

2 Elections; Nominations by Papers; Certification. Amend RSA 655:41, I to read as follows:

655:41 Certification.

I. Each nomination paper shall be submitted to the supervisors of the checklist of the town or ward in which the signer is domiciled or is registered, and a majority of the supervisors shall certify whether or not the signer is a registered voter in said town or ward. The supervisors of the checklist shall certify nomination papers under this section in a timely fashion, so that their certification shall be complete for each candidate, together with any objections to the nomination papers submitted, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday 2 weeks before the primary . Each nomination paper shall be submitted to the supervisors of the checklist no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday 5 weeks before the primary .

3 Elections; Nominations by Paper; Filing Deadline. Amend RSA 655:43, I to read as follows:

655:43 Filing Deadline.

I. Nomination papers shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday one week before the primary . Nomination papers to be filed shall be grouped by municipality. No nomination papers shall be accepted by the secretary of state unless the candidate shall have met the age and domicile qualifications for the office he or she seeks at the time of the general election and meets all the other qualifications at the time of filing; and if a candidate for the office of governor, executive councilor, state senator, or state representative, unless the candidate shall file with the nomination papers an affidavit of qualifications as provided in RSA 655:28 and 655:29; and if a candidate for United States senator or United States representative, unless the candidate shall meet the qualifications for office under RSA 655:3 and 655:4.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Elections; Nominations by Primary; Filing by Other Candidates. Amend RSA 655-14-a to read as follows:

655:14-a Filing by Other Candidates. Every candidate for state or federal office who intends to have his name placed on the ballot for the state general election by means other than nomination by party primary shall file a declaration of intent with the secretary of state as provided in RSA 655:17-a or RSA 655:17-b no later than 5:00 p.m. on the third Monday of July of the year of the state general election .

2 Elections; Nominations by Papers; Certification. Amend RSA 655:41, I to read as follows:

655:41 Certification.

I. Each nomination paper shall be submitted to the supervisors of the checklist of the town or ward in which the signer is domiciled or is registered, and a majority of the supervisors shall certify whether or not the signer is a registered voter in said town or ward. The supervisors of the checklist shall certify nomination papers under this section in a timely fashion, so that their certification shall be complete for each candidate, together with any objections to the nomination papers submitted, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday 10 weeks before the general election or 11 weeks before the general election if the primary election will occur 9 weeks before the general election . Each nomination paper shall be submitted to the supervisors of the checklist no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday 13 weeks before the general election or 14 weeks before the general election if the primary election will occur 9 weeks before the general election .

3 Elections; Nominations by Paper; Filing Deadline. Amend RSA 655:43, I to read as follows:

655:43 Filing Deadline.

I. Nomination papers shall be filed with the secretary of state no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday 9 weeks before the general election or 10 weeks before the general election if the primary election will occur 9 weeks before the general election . Nomination papers to be filed shall be grouped by municipality. No nomination papers shall be accepted by the secretary of state unless the candidate shall have met the age and domicile qualifications for the office he or she seeks at the time of the general election and meets all the other qualifications at the time of filing; and if a candidate for the office of governor, executive councilor, state senator, or state representative, unless the candidate shall file with the nomination papers an affidavit of qualifications as provided in RSA 655:28 and 655:29; and if a candidate for United States senator or United States representative, unless the candidate shall meet the qualifications for office under RSA 655:3 and 655:4.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.