This bill amends RSA 657:5 regarding the distribution of absentee ballot applications, stipulating that the Secretary of State shall not send these applications to city or town clerks more than 45 days before an election. The new legal language inserted into the current law specifies that the Secretary of State must keep a record of the date and manner in which the absentee ballot applications are sent, as well as the number of applications forwarded. This change aims to standardize the timing of absentee ballot application distribution to ensure consistency across municipalities.

The bill does not provide any funding or authorize new positions, and its fiscal impact is currently indeterminable. The Department of State has indicated that it requires further information to fully assess the financial implications, particularly regarding whether the bill intends to eliminate online applications in favor of a paper system. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 657:5