This bill amends RSA 659:23 to allow moderators at polling places to pause ballot counting under specific circumstances. If a moderator believes that counting will extend beyond midnight, they may pause the process no earlier than 11:00 p.m. and resume the next morning. The bill includes several new provisions, such as the requirement for the moderator to announce the pause and the resumption details, secure storage of ballots with election officials or law enforcement present, and the completion of a chain of custody form. Additionally, it permits up to five members of the public to observe the storage area, and mandates that the scene be recorded and, if possible, live broadcasted.

The bill also highlights potential conflicts with existing statutes that require timely completion of vote counting and submission of election returns. As a result, the Secretary of State anticipates the need for legal consultation and additional training for election officials, leading to an indeterminable increase in state expenditures. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 659:23
HB1429 text: 659:23