This bill, SB 222, proposes to amend the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) by changing the state primary election date from the second Tuesday in September to the second Tuesday in June of every even-numbered year. Specifically, it modifies RSA 653:8 to reflect this new date, while also adjusting various sections related to voter registration and nomination papers, including RSA 654:32, RSA 654:34, and RSA 655:14, which will now reference March instead of June. The bill further establishes new deadlines for filing nomination papers, requiring them to be submitted 11 weeks before the state general election, with certification due by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday 12 weeks prior to the general election. Additionally, it mandates that supervisors of the checklist meet the evening before the candidate filing period opens.

The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and does not allocate new funding or positions. While the Department of State has indicated that the transition to the new primary date will not incur additional costs for training election officials or updating materials, the potential need for funding related to voter education efforts remains uncertain, leading to an indeterminable fiscal impact. Overall, SB 222 aims to streamline the electoral process and potentially enhance voter participation by consolidating election-related dates and deadlines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 653:8, 654:32, 654:34, 655:14, 655:21, 655:26
As Amended by the Senate: 653:8, 654:32, 654:34, 655:14, 655:21, 655:26, 655:41, 655:43, 655:44, 654:27