This bill proposes significant amendments to election laws by replacing the term "votes" with "ballots" in various sections of the Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA), including RSA 655:42, RSA 659:88, RSA 659:91-a, RSA 660:1, RSA 660:2, and RSA 660:3. This change aims to enhance clarity and consistency in election terminology, particularly regarding the number of registered voters needed for nominations and the thresholds for write-in votes, which will now be determined based on total ballots cast.

Furthermore, the bill revises the recount process, detailing the conditions under which candidates can request a recount and the associated fee structure based on the margin of difference between their ballots and those of the declared winner. Specifically, it establishes fees ranging from $10 for a margin of less than one percent to $40 for a margin between two and three percent, with additional costs for larger margins. It also mandates the return of excess fees if a candidate loses by less than one percent and refunds all fees if the recount results in a candidate being declared elected. These amendments are set to take effect on June 17, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 655:42, 659:88, 659:91-a, 660:1, 660:2, 660:3, 660:6, 669:31
As Amended by the Senate: 655:42, 659:88, 659:91-a, 660:1, 660:2, 660:3, 660:6, 669:31
As Amended by the House: 655:42, 659:88, 659:91-a, 660:1, 660:2, 660:3, 660:6, 669:31
Version adopted by both bodies: 655:42, 659:88, 659:91-a, 660:1, 660:2, 660:3, 660:6, 669:31
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 655:42, 659:88, 659:91-a, 660:1, 660:2, 660:3, 660:6, 669:31