New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire House Bill HB1364

Introduced
12/6/23  

Caption

Relative to intimidation of election officials, officers, and workers, improper influence over the electoral process, and tampering with electronic ballot counting devices, voter lists or rosters, voter registration systems, and voting system components or passwords.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1364 would significantly impact state laws concerning election conduct. Specifically, it expands upon the existing laws aimed at safeguarding election officials by introducing stricter penalties for intimidation and tampering with voting systems. The classification of various offenses as felonies or misdemeanors reflects a serious commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the electoral process and could potentially lead to more robust prosecutions of election-related offenses.

Summary

House Bill 1364 addresses the critical issues of election integrity by making it a crime to intimidate election officers, improperly influence the electoral process, and tamper with electronic ballot counting devices. The bill aims to strengthen the protection of election officials and ensure that all electoral activities are conducted fairly and lawfully. By criminalizing intimidation and improper conduct, it seeks to deter potential threats, thereby increasing public confidence in the electoral system.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding HB 1364 appears to be supportive among those advocating for electoral integrity and the protection of election officials. Supporters highlight the need for robust safeguards as essential for instilling public trust in elections. On the other hand, there may be concerns regarding potential overreach or implications for free speech rights, particularly regarding provisions that could be viewed as limiting lawful political expressions.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB 1364 may revolve around the interpretation of what constitutes intimidation or improper influence, as well as the implications of criminalizing such actions. Critics may argue that the definitions are too broad and could stifle legitimate political discourse. Furthermore, the bill's focus on tampering with electronic voting systems raises questions about the balance between safeguarding election integrity and ensuring access to information for election stakeholders. As the electoral landscape continues to evolve, these discussions will be critical in framing the bill's final language and potential implications.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH HB1076

relative to authorizing or rescinding the use of electronic ballot counting devices.

NH H7007

Entitles disabled and military voters to utilize electronically transmitted ballots.

NH HB1298

relative to the disposal of electronic ballot counting device external memory devices.

NH HB270

Requiring the preservation of electronic ballot counting device external storage devices.

NH HB1162

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.

NH HB693

Relative to ballot counting procedures and permitting the hand counting of ballots.

NH HB693

relative to ballot counting procedures and permitting the hand counting of ballots.

NH HB1396

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for post-election ballot audit; providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; 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 deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; providing for in-person early voting; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections; in recounts and contests, further providing for opening ballot boxes upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and deposit or bond, for recanvassing voting machines upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and for correction of returns, decision not to be final and evidence for prosecution; in penalties, further providing for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy; making an appropriation; and making an editorial change. Amending Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration system, further providing for SURE system; in voter registration, further providing for methods of voter registration, for application with driver's license application and for government agencies and for approval of registration applications; and, in changes in records, repealing provisions relating to removal notices, to transfer of registration and to change of enrollment of political party and further providing for death of registrant.

NH H3518

Election Official Protection Act

NH S2341

Allows eligible disabled and military voters to continue to utilize electronically transmitted ballots as originally enacted in 2022.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.