This bill amends existing laws regarding the composition and conduct of recount boards for elections involving the select board and school board. It prohibits candidates for these boards from serving on the board of recount during elections in which they are on the ballot. The bill modifies RSA 671:32, II to replace the school board members with the select board members in the recount process and introduces provisions for assistants to the school moderator, who will take the same oath and have the same powers as recount officials. Additionally, it specifies that no member of the board of recount may be a candidate for office or have authority over ballot warrant articles.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new section, RSA 671:32-a, which outlines the rights of recount applicants and their assistants to observe and participate in the recount process, including the ability to protest ballot counts. It also amends RSA 669:32 to clarify the composition of the board of recount for town elections, replacing selectmen with school board members and reiterating the prohibition against candidates serving on the board. The new section also emphasizes that discrepancies during the recount process will not lead to a second recount application. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 671:32, 669:32