House Election Law Advances Critical Bills to Make New Hampshire Elections More Accessible, Modern, and Secure

For Immediate Release:

October 31, 2023

House Election Law Advances Critical Bills to Make New Hampshire Elections More Accessible, Modern and Secure 

Concord, NH — Today, the House Election Law Committee advanced two bills, HB463, relative to the establishment of an election information portal and HB447, a bill relative to Help America Vote Act Funds. Both of these bills, which advanced with strong bipartisan support, are key steps in modernizing our election infrastructure in New Hampshire. McKenzie St. Germain, Director of the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights released the following statements: 

“Forty-two other states have a system where a voter can register to vote online or update their voter information online. New Hampshire has long lagged behind other states in election modernization, but an election information portal gives voters an easier, safe and secure option to register to vote. It also minimizes clerical errors caused by poor handwriting or data that was inputted incorrectly, and can reduce long lines for registration on election day. In other states’ systems, voters can fully register to vote using their state ID, simplifying the registration process. The election information portal is a win for voters and election officials alike, and the 16-4 vote today in the House Election Law Committee moves New Hampshire closer to more modernized, accessible elections.”

HB447 would allow the Secretary of State to utilize existing federal funds to cover up to 50% of the cost of new ballot counting devices purchased by towns. With two new devices approved for use beginning in March of 2024, this additional funding will ensure that all towns who choose to use them will be able to transition to the new, secure, and updated equipment that will benefit both voters and election officials. Currently, New Hampshire has over $12.8 million in unused federal Help America Vote Act funds which can be spent to upgrade election equipment.

Continued St. Germain, “With two new ballot counting devices approved for use in 2024, using existing, unspent federal funds will help to ensure every community that would like a new ballot counting device is able to get one. This legislation is a crucial step in helping New Hampshire modernize our elections, improve voter confidence, and reduce the strain on local town and city budgets, and we are glad to see a bipartisan 19-1 vote today in support.”

The New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights is a coalition of state and national advocacy organizations, voters, attorneys and watchdog organizations working to ensure and preserve the right to vote for every eligible Granite Stater. As a nonpartisan group, we advocate for voter enfranchisement, election security, and modernization for New Hampshire voters.

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