House Bill 482-FN introduces significant changes to the election process in terms of ballot security and the absentee voting system. The bill requires the Secretary of State to select a supplier for printing and delivering ballots with new security features such as magnetic inks, specialized paper, and watermarks to prevent counterfeiting. The supplier must also conduct a third-party audit, maintain a secure facility with video surveillance, and deliver ballots directly to political subdivisions. The bill mandates a strict chain of custody for ballots, requiring verification by city and town clerks in the presence of another legal voter, storage in locked containers with tamper-proof seals, and a full accounting of ballots before and after elections. Insertions in the bill include references to the supplier chosen by the Secretary of State, while deletions include the removal of the term "sealing label" in favor of "tamper-proof seals."

Furthermore, the bill enhances the integrity of absentee voting by requiring absentee ballot applications not presented in person to include proof of identity and residency. Absentee voters must also include photocopies of documentation to prove residency and identification within the outer envelope of their ballot. If documentation is missing, the moderator must contact the voter to rectify the issue before the close of polls on election day; otherwise, the ballot will be rejected. The bill is expected to increase state and local expenditures due to the new requirements for ballot security and storage, with the Department of State reviewing authenticity tools every five years. The New Hampshire Municipal Association anticipates that municipalities may face additional costs related to facility construction or renovation, staffing, and compensation, starting in FY 2024. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 656:3, 656:20, 656:22, 656:26, 659:98, 660:16, 657:4, 657:6, 657:7, 659:53