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.
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
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.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)