The bill, titled "AN ACT enabling ranked-choice voting for municipal elections," establishes provisions for implementing ranked-choice voting in New Hampshire's municipal elections and for political party caucuses. It introduces a new section, RSA 652:16-i, which defines "ranked choice voting" as a method where voters rank candidates by preference, with votes counted in rounds to determine the candidate with a plurality. The bill modifies RSA 669:23 to include specific instructions for ranked-choice voting on ballots, ensuring voters can rank candidates and providing guidance on marking their choices. Additionally, it outlines the counting process for votes, including handling undervotes and inactive ballots, and establishes rules for resolving ties among candidates.

Municipalities are given the option to adopt ranked-choice voting for local elections, with procedures for public hearings and notification to the Secretary of State. The bill also allows political parties to use ranked-choice voting in their caucuses, provided they comply with relevant regulations. Importantly, the bill includes a severability clause to maintain the validity of the remaining provisions if any part is deemed unconstitutional. While there are no deletions from current law, the bill introduces new legal language to facilitate the ranked-choice voting process. The fiscal implications of the bill remain uncertain, particularly regarding potential costs for municipalities that choose to implement this voting system, with the New Hampshire Municipal Association noting possible additional expenses for vote tabulation and training starting in fiscal year 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 669:23, 656:42, 659:17, 659:59, 659:73, 669:38