This bill proposes to move the state primary election date from September to June, amending various sections of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA). Specifically, RSA 653:8 will now state that the state primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in June instead of September. Additionally, changes are made to the timing of voter registration sessions and the filing of candidacy declarations, which will now occur in March rather than June. The amendments also include updates to the language regarding party affiliation and registration deadlines, ensuring that no changes can be made between the first Wednesday in March and the day before the state primary election. Other sections of the bill address the examination and rejection of primary petitions, clarifying that the officer responsible for these petitions will now use the pronoun they instead of he. The bill also specifies that the Ballot Law Commission will meet on the third Thursday of June instead of September in general election years. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing for a transition period before the new primary date is implemented.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 653:8, 654:32, 654:34, 655:14, 655:21, 655:26
As Amended by the House: 653:8, 654:32, 654:34, 655:14, 655:21, 655:26