STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SENATE
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
THE COMMITTEE ON Election Law and Municipal Affairs
to which was referred HB 327-FN
AN ACT relative to filing for office and witnessing affidavits.
Having considered the same, the committee recommends that the Bill
OUGHT TO PASS
BY A VOTE OF: 5-0
Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
For the Committee
HB 327 allows the Secretary of State to serve as a filing official and enables town clerks to witness candidate filing affidavits regardless of whether they are a notary public or not. The committee believes that town clerks are trained, elected officials responsible for managing elections, which makes them qualified to verify identities and signatures without needing notary status. The committee also believes that allowing this would streamline the filing process, as town clerks are readily available during office hours and the need to find a separate notary public would no longer be necessary. For these reasons, the Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee recommends Ought to Pass on HB 327.
Jessica Bourque 271-2104
FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
HB 327-FN, relative to filing for office and witnessing affidavits.
Ought to Pass, Vote 5-0.
Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka for the committee.
HB 327 allows the Secretary of State to serve as a filing official and enables town clerks to witness candidate filing affidavits regardless of whether they are a notary public or not. The committee believes that town clerks are trained, elected officials responsible for managing elections, which makes them qualified to verify identities and signatures without needing notary status. The committee also believes that allowing this would streamline the filing process, as town clerks are readily available during office hours and the need to find a separate notary public would no longer be necessary. For these reasons, the Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee recommends Ought to Pass on HB 327.