HB 141 – AS INTRODUCED
2007 SESSION
07-0595
03/05
HOUSE BILL 141

AN ACT giving voters the option of bypassing voting machines.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hall, Hills 5; Rep. Harvey, Hills 21

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS
This bill requires that cities and towns using voting machines permit voters to bypass the voting machines and have their ballots counted by the election officials.

Bill text here: http://gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2007/HB0141.html

Hearing on this bill: Tuesday Feb.6th 10:00 AM

DFNH FEC Position

We support this bill because we believe that democratic elections require full citizen oversight, which includes the method of vote counting. New Hampshire citizens have the right to reject the use of voting equipment if they feel this impairs or restricts their ability for citizen oversight of the election.

In support of this legislation, we respectfully submit the following recommendations for amendments to strengthen the bill.

Amend the language to be consistent with current law (RSA 660:5) as follows in bold:

The use of such machines or devices so authorized shall be valid for all purposes, provided that the city or town adopts a procedure whereby each voter is given the option of bypassing the voting machine or device and having his or her paper ballot counted by an election official. The election official shall visually inspect each ballot. No mechanical, optical, or electronic device shall be used for the counting of ballots under this option.