House Bill 463-FN, as amended by the Senate (Amendment #2024-2112s), is designed to create an election information portal to facilitate voter registration, absentee ballot requests, and updates to voter information. The Secretary of State is responsible for developing this portal in collaboration with local officials, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities and active-duty military members. The portal will feature security measures such as two-factor authentication and is expected to be operational by May 1, 2026. The bill also amends RSA 657:4, I, requiring absentee ballot application forms to include additional identifying information such as the last four digits of the applicant's social security number and driver license or non-driver identification card number. For this initiative, the bill appropriates $50,000 for voter qualification purposes and $450,000 to integrate the portal with the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), effective upon passage.

The fiscal note attached to the bill provides a breakdown of the estimated costs, which include the design, construction, and maintenance of the portal, as well as the salary for a new Program Assistant III position to aid in the portal's implementation and operation. The initial costs for design and construction are estimated at $426,000, with ongoing maintenance fees of about $84,000 annually. The Program Assistant III position is projected to cost $87,000 in the fiscal year 2025, with increases in subsequent years. The total estimated expenses are $555,000 for FY 2025, $174,000 for FY 2026, and $177,000 for FY 2027. The bill allocates $450,000 from the General Fund and $100,000 from the Election Fund to cover these costs, with future expenses to be included in the Department's budget requests. The bill does not authorize any new positions other than the Program Assistant III and is not expected to impact state, county, or local revenues.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the Senate: 657:4