This bill mandates that cities and towns provide accessible voting systems for individuals with disabilities during elections, ensuring that they have equal access and opportunity to vote privately and independently. The bill finds that while federal elections with a federal office on the ballot currently provide accessible voting systems, local elections generally do not, which is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To address this, the bill amends RSA 652:16-d to redefine "accessible voting system" to include systems used by municipalities in local elections, in addition to those chosen by the state for federal elections, to meet the accessibility requirements of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the ADA.

The bill also introduces a new section, RSA 659:20-b, which requires every city, town, and school district using an official ballot system to ensure each polling place has at least one accessible voting system and to enter into a pilot agreement with the secretary of state for the use of such systems in local elections. Cities, towns, and school districts will bear the costs associated with programming for local elections and are responsible for the secure storage and maintenance of the systems. The bill repeals sections related to the pilot agreement and program with the secretary of state for accessible voting systems in local elections, effective June 30, 2025. The remainder of the act takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 652:16-d, 669:25
As Amended by the House: 652:16-d
Version adopted by both bodies: 652:16-d
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 652:16-d