HB 1298 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2827
08/06
HOUSE BILL 1298
AN ACT relative to the disposal of electronic ballot counting device external memory devices.
SPONSORS: Rep. Berry, Hills. 44
COMMITTEE: Election Law
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the external memory devices from electronic ballot counting devices to be destroyed in the same way as ballots.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2827
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to the disposal of electronic ballot counting device external memory devices.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Disposal and Retention Schedule; Electronic Ballot Counting Device External Storage Devices. Amend RSA 33-A:3-a, XXXVI-XXXVII to read as follows:
XXXVI. Elections-federal elections: ballots and absentee ballot applications, affidavit envelopes, lists, and electronic ballot counting device external storage devices: by the town clerk until the contest is settled and all appeals have expired or at least 22 months after the election, whichever is longer. Extra electronic ballot counting device external storage devices programmed for, but not used during the election are exempt from preservation. Electronic ballot counting device external storage devices shall be disposed of in the same manner as ballots and absentee ballot applications, affidavit envelopes, and lists.
XXXVII. Elections-not federal: ballots and absentee ballot applications, affidavit envelopes, lists, and electronic ballot counting device external storage devices: by the town clerk until the contest is settled and all appeals have expired or at least 60 days after the election, whichever is longer. Extra electronic ballot counting device external storage devices programmed for, but not used during the election are exempt from preservation. Electronic ballot counting device external storage devices shall be disposed of in the same manner as ballots and absentee ballot applications, affidavit envelopes, and lists.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Dec. 1, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law