SB 121 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0866
08/04
SENATE BILL 121
AN ACT relative to the position of ballot clerk.
SPONSORS: Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Rep. Hamblet, Rock. 26
COMMITTEE: Election Law and Municipal Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill separates the position of ballot clerk from inspection of elections.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0866
08/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to the position of ballot clerk.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Appointment of Inspectors of Election. Amend RSA 658:2 to read as follows:
658:2 Appointment. Each state political committee of the 2 political parties which received the largest number of votes cast for governor at the last previous general election is authorized through their respective chairmen to appoint between May 15 and July 15 of each general election year 2 inspectors of election to act at each polling place. If the number of voters qualified to vote at a polling place shall exceed 2,000, said political committees may each appoint for such polling place one additional inspector for each 1,500 qualified voters or fraction thereof in excess of 2,000. By April 15 of each general election year, the secretary of state shall provide a list to the chairman of each such state political committee of the number of inspectors of election that should be appointed for each town or ward. Each such state political committee may also appoint such equal number of additional inspectors as the moderator considers necessary for the efficient conduct of the election. On or before July 15, the chairmen of said political committees shall notify the appointees and the town or ward clerk concerned as to appointments made under this authority. [If any such appointments are not made by said political committees and proper notification thereof given on or before July 15, then the appointments shall be made by the selectmen of the town or ward in equal numbers from said 2 political parties.]
2 New Subdivision; Ballot Clerks. Amend RSA 658 by inserting after section 8 the following new subdivision:
Ballot Clerks
658:8-a Appointment. The selectmen of each town or ward shall appoint as many ballot clerks as they deem necessary for the efficient operation of elections in the town or ward, for a term of office as determined by the selectmen. Alternatively, the selectmen may delegate appointment authority to the supervisors of the checklist, the clerk, or the moderator. Any person registered to vote in the town or ward shall be eligible to serve as a ballot clerk. Inspectors of election appointed under RSA 658:2 may also be appointed as ballot clerks. The appointing authorities shall use their best efforts to maintain an equal balance among ballot clerks between members of the 2 political parties that received the largest number of votes cast for governor at the last previous general election. Undeclared voters and members of other political parties may also be appointed. If a sufficient number of ballot clerks are not appointed in time for any election, the moderator may appoint as many additional ballot clerks as he or she deems necessary for that election only.
658:8-b Oath. Each ballot clerk shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his or her duties.
658:8-c Duties. Ballot clerks shall have charge of the ballots at the voter check-in station on election day and shall furnish them to the voters in accordance with RSA 659:13. They shall be given a duplicate copy of the checklist by the town or ward clerk.
658:8-d Training. Prior to serving, a ballot clerk shall complete appropriate training provided by the secretary of state or by local election officials.
658:8-e Designation of Ballot Clerks. Prior to each election, the moderator shall designate the ballot clerks who will serve at that election. Subject to availability and qualification by training, the moderator shall designate an equal number of ballot clerks from each of the 2 political parties that received the largest number of votes cast for governor at the last previous general election, and may also designate ballot clerks who are undeclared or members of a different party.
3 Duties of Inspectors of Election. RSA 658:25 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
658:25 Duties of Inspectors of Election. Inspectors of election who are not serving as ballot clerks shall be assigned such duties in the polling place as the moderator may determine including, but not limited to, the relief of the ballot clerks and the assistance of voters marking their ballots as provided in RSA 659:20.
4 Repeal. The following are repealed:
I. RSA 658:5, relative to alternate inspectors of election.
II. RSA 658:6, relative to appointment of inspectors of election by the district court.
III. RSA 658:22, relative to inspectors pro tem.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 31, 2023 | Senate | Hearing |
| Feb. 9, 2023 | Senate | Floor Vote |
Feb. 9, 2023: Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 02/09/2023; SJ 6
Feb. 1, 2023: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 02/09/2023; SC 9
Jan. 25, 2023: Hearing: 01/31/2023, Room 103, LOB, 09:00 am; SC 8
Jan. 19, 2023: Introduced 01/05/2023 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 4