This bill allows school districts in the state to decide whether to adopt a partisan election system for school district officers. It amends existing laws to clarify the procedures for filing candidacy and conducting elections under both non-partisan and partisan systems. Specifically, it modifies RSA 671:19 to specify that the provisions for filing for office will differ based on whether a district has adopted a non-partisan or partisan ballot system. Additionally, it introduces new sections (671:30-a and 671:30-b) that outline the process for adopting and rescinding the partisan ballot system, including the requirement for a majority vote at a school district meeting.

The bill also makes several amendments to existing statutes, such as changing references from "non-partisan" to "official" ballot systems and ensuring that the election processes for cooperative school districts align with the new partisan system. It further clarifies that caucuses of political parties must follow specific procedures for nominations and that the school district clerk is responsible for preparing ballots in accordance with the adopted system. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 671:19, 671:20, 671:30, 195:19-a
As Amended by the House: 671:19, 671:20, 671:30, 195:19-a, 91-A:2