SB 213-FN introduces new regulations concerning electioneering by public employees and revises the absentee voting application process in New Hampshire. The bill defines "electioneering" and prohibits public employees from engaging in such activities while performing their official duties or using government resources. It clarifies that public employees include those appointed by the chief executive or legislative body and allows for lawful participation in public events and the provision of neutral election information. The bill also imposes penalties for violations of these provisions. In terms of absentee voting, it mandates proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile for applicants, updates the application language, and replaces "Forms" with "Application Form." New categories for registration status and reasons for requesting an absentee ballot are also introduced.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the voter registration process by changing terminology from "town" to "city" and adding "ward" to specify electoral districts. It requires a witness affirmation signed by a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace to confirm the applicant's identity. The penalties for voter fraud remain severe, classifying false information during registration or voting as a class A misdemeanor, with fines and potential imprisonment. The bill also establishes civil penalties for fraudulent registration or voting. The effective date for Section 1 is immediate, while the rest will take effect 60 days after passage. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may influence judicial and correctional systems, potentially increasing costs related to prosecution and civil cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 657:4, 654:17, 657:1
Version adopted by both bodies: 657:4, 654:17