hb 0259

CHAPTER 272

HB 259 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT relative to holding sessions for correction of checklists.

SPONSORS: Rep. F. Davis, Merr 12; Rep. Horton, Coos 3; Rep. Daneault, Merr 12; Rep. Rush, Merr 12

This bill changes the hours for evening sessions for correction of checklists from between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and at the discretion of the supervisors for extended hours.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to holding sessions for correction of checklists.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

272:1 Voters and Checklists; Checklists: All State Elections; Sessions for Correction; Time. Amend RSA 654:27 to read as follows:

654:27 Session for Correction. In cities and towns, the supervisors of the checklist shall be in session for the correction of the checklist at some suitable place in the city or town on the Saturday 10 days prior to the election and upon which all hearings shall be finally closed; provided that if the Saturday falls on a holiday weekend, that session shall be held on Tuesday, 7 days prior to the election, between 7:00 p.m. and [~~9:00~~] 8:00 p.m. and at the discretion of the supervisors for extended hours. Notice of the day, hour, and place of each session of the board of supervisors shall be given upon the checklists first posted and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town at least 7 days prior to each such session. The reconvening of any session which has been adjourned shall not require the publication of notice.

272:2 Voters and Checklists; Checklists: All State Elections; Procedure; Time. Amend RSA 654:28 to read as follows:

654:28 Procedure. The supervisors of the checklist shall hear all applications for a correction of the checklist and the evidence submitted thereon and shall correct it according to their best knowledge so that it contains only the names of those persons qualified to vote at said election. The names of all persons not qualified to vote at the time of any session, but who shall clearly be qualified to vote on election day, may be added to the checklist at that session. The session which is held on the Saturday 10 days prior to election day shall be held as a minimum requirement between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and at the discretion of the supervisors for additional hours. No additions or corrections shall be made after the Saturday session, except as provided in RSA 659:12 or RSA 654:27, provided, however, that if the Saturday falls on a holiday weekend, that session shall be held on Tuesday, 7 days prior to the election, between 7:00 p.m. and [~~9:00~~] 8:00 p.m. and at the discretion of the supervisors for extended hours. The additions and corrections resulting from such session shall be made to the previously posted checklist on or before midnight on the succeeding Friday either by additions or corrections to said checklist or by posting a new corrected checklist. Notice of such additions or corrections to the checklist shall also be given to the town or city clerk.

272:3 Town Elections; General Provisions; Voters and Checklists; Time for Sessions for Correction. Amend RSA 669:5 to read as follows:

669:5 Voters and Checklists. An updated checklist shall be used at all town meetings and elections for the same purposes a checklist is used at a state election and to insure that only qualified voters participate in town meeting discussions and votes, by voice or otherwise. The supervisors shall prepare, post, and revise the checklist for a town meeting or election in the same manner as for a state election as provided in RSA 654:25 - 654:31, provided, however, that the session for correction shall be held on Saturday 6 to 13 days prior to the election. The supervisors shall also hold one session for correction of the checklist on the day immediately prior to the first day of the filing period for candidates for town office, as provided in RSA 669:19 or 669:42, as applicable, from 7 p.m. to [9] 8 p.m. and at the discretion of the supervisors for extended hours.