This bill amends the process for adopting partisan town elections to align it with the method for rescinding such elections. Specifically, it modifies RSA 669:12 and RSA 669:13 to establish that towns wishing to adopt a partisan official ballot system must do so through a ballot vote, similar to the process for rescinding the system. The new legal language inserted clarifies that the adoption of the partisan ballot system will require a majority vote from qualified voters present at the town meeting, and it will not take effect until the subsequent town election. Additionally, the bill introduces RSA 669:11-a, which outlines the procedure for towns to adopt an unofficial ballot system, also requiring a ballot vote.

The bill also makes several deletions from existing law, including the removal of language that allowed towns to rescind the adoption of partisan and non-partisan ballot systems in the same manner as their adoption. Instead, the new language specifies that rescinding these systems will follow the procedures outlined in RSA 669:13. Furthermore, the bill eliminates the population requirement for towns adopting a non-partisan ballot system, allowing any town with either an unofficial or partisan ballot system to vote on the adoption of a non-partisan system. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 669:12, 669:13
As Amended by the House: 669:11, 669:12, 669:13
Version adopted by both bodies: 669:11, 669:12, 669:13
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 669:11, 669:12, 669:13