Relative to classifying ballots as public information.
Impact
The bill, if passed, would substantially affect the handling and storage of ballots in New Hampshire. It would require the Secretary of State to create a quarterly schedule for public viewing of ballots, fulfilling requests within a 90-day timeframe. This could involve significant compliance costs for towns and municipalities, as they would need to invest in high-speed scanners and other technologies to ensure timely processing and availability of ballot images. The New Hampshire Municipal Association has estimated that these costs could be substantial, potentially amounting to around $9.36 million across municipalities to acquire the necessary equipment.
Summary
House Bill 1705 is a legislative proposal aimed at reclassifying ballots as public information, which would include cast, cancelled, and uncast ballots. The intent behind this bill is to enhance transparency in electoral processes, allowing the public greater access to ballot information and records. It mandates that ballots prepared or preserved according to election laws be subject to the provisions of existing public records laws, specifically RSA 91-A. As such, local authorities must establish processes for viewing ballots and saving scanned images of ballots for public access shortly after elections.
Sentiment
Sentiment around the bill appears to be mixed. Proponents argue that it promotes government accountability and bolsters public trust in the electoral process by ensuring transparency and accessibility of ballots. Conversely, critics raise concerns about the implications for privacy and security, suggesting that the measure may lead to vulnerabilities in the electoral system or unnecessary complications for local governments tasked with compliance.
Contention
A notable point of contention is the financial burden that could fall on local municipalities to implement the required changes. The estimated costs associated with the acquisition of scanning equipment and the potential administrative overhead to manage the new public access protocols have raised alarms among local governments. Additionally, there are overarching worries about how this could affect voter turnout and public perception about ballot security and privacy issues, which could influence future legislative discussions on election laws.
Requires certain information to increase public awareness and use of voting by mail; requires certain mail-in ballots received by county board within 48 hours be considered valid; requires certain mail-in ballots to be retained.
Removing fees and charges for governmental records under the right-to-know law and reinstating potential liability for disclosure of information exempt from disclosure.