The bill SB 537-FN proposes amendments to the absentee voting process, including the preprocessing of absentee ballots, notification and correction of affidavit envelope errors, and the elimination of the outer envelope requirement for in-person delivery of absentee ballots. It repeals and reenacts RSA 659:49-b to outline the procedure for opening absentee ballot outer envelopes and managing errors. The bill also amends RSA 657:7 to add fields for the printed name and address on affidavit envelopes and modifies RSA 657:16 to revise the process for absentee registration certification refusals. Insertions in the bill include phrases like "except as provided by RSA 659:49-b" and "if such ballots are returned by mail," while deletions involve changes such as specifying "a mailed" in reference to outer envelopes.

The bill further details the requirements for mailing absentee ballots, including the endorsement of the voter's information on the outer envelope and the allowance for personal delivery of the envelope without the outer envelope. It also updates the moderators' process for processing absentee ballots, including signature comparisons. The bill includes insertions related to the mailing process and deletions concerning the opening of envelopes during processing. Sections 1-3 of the bill will take effect 60 days after its passage, with the rest effective upon passage. The fiscal note indicates no impact on state, county, and local expenditures or revenue.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 657:18, 659:49
As Amended by the Senate: 657:18, 657:7, 657:16, 657:17