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 elections are not district-based, all county convention members will vote to fill the vacancy. Conversely, if elections are district-based, only convention members representing the relevant district can vote. If this results in fewer than three eligible voters, all members of the county convention will be allowed to vote. Additionally, if the term filled is shorter than the unexpired term, the position will be included on the next biennial election ballot.

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. 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 will take effect 60 days after its passage.

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