New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB366

Introduced
12/17/21  
Refer
12/17/21  
Report Pass
2/9/22  
Report Pass
2/22/22  
Engrossed
3/23/22  
Refer
3/23/22  
Report Pass
4/14/22  
Refer
4/21/22  
Report Pass
4/28/22  
Report DNP
4/28/22  
Enrolled
6/22/22  
Chaptered
7/7/22  

Caption

Requiring an audit of ballots cast in the 2022 primary and general election.

Impact

The enactment of SB366 is likely to modify existing election procedures in New Hampshire. It sets forth specific requirements for the audit, including the selection of voting machines to be audited and the operations that will take place to verify the accuracy of the ballots. The legislation also allows the secretary of state to forego the general election audit if problems identified in the primary audit are not resolved timely. This could affect how elections are administered in the state in terms of preparing for election day and ensuring that any discrepancies can be investigated comprehensively.

Summary

Senate Bill 366, known as SB366, introduces a mandate for conducting audits of ballots cast in the 2022 state primary and general elections. The bill empowers the secretary of state to oversee the audit process, which includes procuring the necessary equipment that can efficiently scan and record ballot information, ensuring that the electoral process is transparent and accountable. By instituting these audits, the bill aims to build confidence in the electoral system, particularly after concerns about election integrity and the accuracy of voting processes have gained public attention.

Contention

Despite its goal of ensuring electoral integrity, the bill has sparked debate among legislators and the public. Notable points of contention include the potential costs associated with hiring personnel and procuring necessary equipment for the audits, estimated at between $50,000 and $100,000. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding public access to the audit process, particularly around the selection of devices to be audited and ensuring that this process is free from bias. Critics might argue that the implementation details could still leave room for discrepancies if not addressed comprehensively during the audits.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH SB157

Relative to election audits.

NH SB489

Relative to election audits.

NH AB1219

Elections: ballots.

NH HB482

Requiring the use of ballots with embedded security, traceability, and relative to the chain of custody for ballots cast in elections.

NH SB214

Elections and Primaries; electors to cast physical absentee on-request ballots as an alternative to using other authorized means of casting in-person votes; authorize

NH SB0201

Closed primary elections.

NH SB259

Prohibiting the use of ballot copies for purposes of any audit or recount of an election, setting a 7:00 p.m. deadline for receipt of advance mail ballots, requiring the use of paper ballots and hand counting, establishing legislative oversight, requiring that certain ballot records and all election records be publicly available and mandating use of a uniform paper for ballot printing.

NH AB2125

Election results: risk-limiting audits.

NH H7117

Changes the process of nominating candidates for the general election, by replacing the political party primary with a primary general election.

NH H5277

Changes the process of nominating candidates for the general election, by replacing the political party primary with a primary general election.

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