Relating to election reform and ballot reconciliation. Providing that requirements for elections shall include provisions and penalties in regard to ballot reconciliation, access, retention, polling location limits, poll workers, allowance of registered voters for post-election ballot viewing, ballot lot and voting documentation viewing, and scanning and recording photographically during citizen audits.
Impact
If enacted, CACR26 would significantly impact New Hampshire's election laws by formalizing procedures for ballot security and counting. By implementing measures such as hand-counting and serial-numbering of ballots, the bill aims to enhance election integrity and public confidence in the electoral process. The requirements for comprehensive auditing and retention of election records for 60 months would also establish a more rigorous framework for election oversight, potentially deterring misconduct and ensuring transparent elections.
Summary
CACR26 proposes a constitutional amendment focused on comprehensive election reform within New Hampshire. This bill mandates specific protocols for election processes, including ballot reconciliation, access to election records, the retention of ballots, and limits on polling locations. One of the key provisions is that all ballots must be hand-counted and serial-numbered, with a matching tab retained as a receipt for voters. Additionally, the amendment seeks to impose penalties if these provisions are not adhered to, emphasizing the importance of accountability in election administration.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding CACR26 appears to be mixed among legislators and the general public. Proponents advocate that the measures put in place through this amendment are crucial for ensuring fair elections and restoring trust in the electoral process. However, opponents express concerns that the stringent requirements may create unnecessary burdens on local election officials and could complicate the voting process, potentially disenfranchising voters who may struggle to meet the new criteria.
Contention
Notable points of contention revolve around the feasibility and implications of such stringent election reforms. Critics argue that implementing measures like hand-counting all ballots could lead to significant delays in election results and increased workload for election officials. Furthermore, there is debate on the viability of limiting polling locations to 5,000 voters and whether this approach could inadvertently suppress participation in more densely populated areas. The question of balancing security with accessibility remains at the forefront of discussions related to CACR26.
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in county boards of elections, furth er providing for powers and duties of county boards; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for ballots to be issued by election officers only, ballots not to be removed and official ballots only to be deposited or counted; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for applications for official absentee ballots, for date of application for absentee ballot, for official absentee voters ballots, for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee absentee ballots and mail-in ballots; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for official mail-in elector ballots and for voting by mail-in electors.