This bill amends the process for adopting partisan town elections to align it with the procedure 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 or a non-partisan official ballot system must do so using a ballot during town meetings. The new language specifies that the town clerk must print the question regarding the adoption of these systems on the official ballot, allowing voters to indicate "Yes" or "No." The adoption of these systems will only take effect in the town election following the meeting where the decision is made.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, RSA 669:11-a, which outlines the process for a town to adopt an unofficial ballot system. This section requires that towns with either a partisan or non-partisan ballot system must hold a vote to adopt the unofficial ballot system, with the same majority requirement for approval. The bill also removes previous language that allowed towns to rescind their adoption of these systems in a similar manner, replacing it with a more structured voting process. The act will 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