This bill proposes significant changes to the timing and processes surrounding state primary elections in New Hampshire. It amends RSA 653:8 to move the state primary election date from September to the second Tuesday in June of every even-numbered year. In conjunction with this change, the bill modifies the timing for voter registration sessions and the filing of candidacy declarations, shifting the deadline from the first Wednesday in June to the first Friday in March. These adjustments are reflected in several sections of the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, including RSA 654:32, RSA 654:34, RSA 655:14, RSA 655:16, RSA 655:21, RSA 655:26, and RSA 655:31, ensuring that all related electoral processes align with the new primary date.

Additionally, the bill modernizes the language used in the statutes by replacing gender-specific terms, such as changing "his" to "his or her" in RSA 654:34, IV, and "he" to "they" in RSA 655:26. It also introduces amendments to the nomination process for candidates, including changing the term "Wednesday" to "second Friday" in various sections to establish a new timeline for candidate nominations. Furthermore, the appointment timeline for election inspectors is adjusted to allow for earlier planning, with notifications now required between February 1 and April 30. The Ballot Law Commission will also meet on the third Thursday of June in general election years instead of September. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2028.

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, 655:16, 655:21, 655:26, 655:31, 655:32, 655:41, 655:43, 658:2
Version adopted by both bodies: 653:8, 654:32, 654:34, 655:14, 655:16, 655:21, 655:26, 655:31, 655:32, 655:41, 655:43, 658:2
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 653:8, 654:32, 654:34, 655:14, 655:16, 655:21, 655:26, 655:31, 655:32, 655:41, 655:43, 658:2