This bill mandates that cities, towns, and school districts with official ballot systems must ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities during elections. It repeals and reenacts RSA 659:20-b, which now requires each polling place to have at least one accessible voting system. The bill stipulates that local governments are responsible for the costs associated with programming these systems and must follow guidance from the secretary of state for their setup and testing. Additionally, clerks are required to enter into agreements with the secretary of state for the use of these systems and to maintain them securely.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the secretary of state, which include entering into agreements with local clerks to provide accessible voting systems, offering guidance on programming, and ensuring the security of these systems. Notably, the bill changes the effective date for a prospective repeal from June 30, 2025, to December 31, 2025, while establishing that the remainder of the act will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 659:20-b
As Amended by the House: 659:20-b