This bill amends various sections of New Hampshire law regarding the filling of vacancies on elected municipal and school boards. The key provision requires that if a board chooses to fill a vacancy with an applicant who ran in any of the last three elections for that office, they must first extend an offer to the runner-up from the most recent prior election. This requirement is inserted into multiple statutes, including RSA 671:33 (School District Elections), RSA 32:15 (Budget Committee Membership), RSA 49-B:4 (Charter Commission), RSA 289:6 (Cemetery Trustees), RSA 197:26 (District Officers), RSA 669:61 (Town Elections), RSA 669:64 (Supervisors of the Checklist), and RSA 669:75 (Vacancies in Other Offices).

In addition to the new insertion, the bill also clarifies the process for filling vacancies, ensuring that the appropriate appointing authority is notified and that vacancies are filled in a timely manner. The effective date of the act is set for 60 days after its passage. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the democratic process by ensuring that candidates who have previously run for office are given priority in filling vacancies, thereby promoting continuity and representation in local governance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 671:33, 32:15, 49-B:4, 289:6, 197:26, 669:61, 669:64, 669:75