HB 344 - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0661
08/02
HOUSE BILL 344
AN ACT enables the processing of absentee ballots before election day.
SPONSORS: Rep. Daniels, Hills. 43; Rep. Dargie, Hills. 43; Rep. Petrigno, Hills. 43; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13; Rep. Schamberg, Merr. 6; Rep. Flanagan, Hills. 45; Rep. B. Sullivan, Sull. 1; Sen. Gray, Dist 6
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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ANALYSIS
This bill enables the processing of absentee ballots before election day.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0661
08/02
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT enables the processing of absentee ballots before election day.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Opening the Absentee Ballot Outer Envelopes. Amend RSA 659:49-b to read as follows:
659:49-b Opening Absentee Ballot Outer Envelopes. The moderator or the moderator's designee may authorize the opening of absentee ballot outer envelopes [on election day] no more than one week prior to the time established for processing absentee ballots in RSA 659:49, provided that the opening of the outer envelopes occurs in public with notice of the time and place. The envelope containing the ballot shall not be removed from the outer envelope at such time, and the outer envelope containing the inner envelope shall be secured until it is processed pursuant to RSA 659:50.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 4, 2025 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 11, 2025 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 11, 2025 | House | Floor Vote |
March 20, 2025: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 204-168 03/20/2025 HJ 9
Feb. 14, 2025: Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
Feb. 14, 2025: Majority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
Feb. 7, 2025: Executive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
Jan. 29, 2025: Public Hearing: 02/04/2025 03:00 pm LOB 306-308
Jan. 8, 2025: Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 16