This bill amends the process for filling vacancies in the office of county commissioner. It repeals and reenacts RSA 661:9, II, establishing that vacancies will be filled by the members of the county convention. The voting process is differentiated based on whether the commissioners are elected by district or not. If not district-based, all county convention members will vote to fill the vacancy. However, if the election is district-based, only those convention members representing the relevant district will be eligible to vote. If this results in fewer than three eligible voters, all members of the county convention can vote. Additionally, if the vacancy term is shorter than the unexpired term, it will be included on the next biennial election ballot for voters to choose a replacement.

The bill also stipulates that these provisions apply only if the vacancy occurs no later than 30 days before the printing of the primary election ballots. Furthermore, it retains the existing provisions of RSA 655:32 and RSA 655:37 regarding nominations by party committees for vacancies on election ballots. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an approval date of May 8, 2026, and an effective date of July 7, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 661:9
As Amended by the House: 661:9
HB1044 text: 661:9