This bill mandates that towns and cities must have at least one polling place for every 15,000 registered voters during presidential elections, unless they obtain approval from the Secretary of State and Attorney General for fewer locations. The bill introduces a new section, RSA 658:11-a, which outlines the requirements for towns and cities to submit a plan if they wish to accommodate more than 15,000 voters at a single polling place. This plan must address various logistical concerns, including traffic flow, parking availability, and staffing for voter assistance. The Secretary of State and Attorney General are also granted the authority to request additional information and impose conditions on the approval of these plans.

The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it depends on the number of municipalities with over 15,000 registered voters that will seek approval for fewer polling places. Municipalities unable to secure such approval may face increased local expenditures, estimated to range from over $10,000 to less than $100,000, depending on the costs of setting up and staffing additional polling locations. The Department of Justice anticipates that if all affected municipalities request approval, they may require additional resources, potentially necessitating two new employees at an estimated cost of $223,000 starting in FY 2028. Overall, the bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions, and its implementation will rely on existing resources.