This bill, SB 214, proposes significant amendments to the absentee voting process in New Hampshire, aiming to enhance accessibility and streamline registration. It modifies RSA 654:16 and 654:17 to allow any qualified voter whose name is not on the checklist to register for absentee voting by applying to the city or town clerk or the secretary of state. The language has been updated to be gender-neutral, replacing "his" with "or her." Additionally, the requirement for voters to be temporarily absent due to physical disability has been removed, broadening eligibility for absentee registration. The bill also amends RSA 656:33 and RSA 657:1 to eliminate references to absentee voting based on religious observance and physical disability, allowing any person unable to vote in person for any reason to apply for an absentee ballot. Further changes include clarifying the definition of "absence" in RSA 657:4, I, to encompass being "unable to vote in person," while removing previous specifications related to residence outside the U.S., religious observance, and disability. The definition of "employment" is expanded to include caregiving for children and infirm adults, and it specifies that individuals assisting voters with disabilities in completing absentee ballot applications will not have their signatures compared for verification. The introductory paragraph of RSA 657:7 is also amended to reflect these changes, emphasizing the need for absentee ballots for those unable to vote in person. The bill updates the absentee ballot affidavit envelope to include a voter address section and clarifies penalties for providing false information during the voting process, with an effective date set for 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 654:16, 656:33, 657:4, 669:26