Committee approves expansion of poll-pad use to town and school deliberative sessions, approves SB 43 as amended

The House Election Law Committee on a recent meeting approved Senate Bill 43 as amended to authorize the use of poll pads (poll books) at town and school deliberative sessions, business sessions and certain special meetings, after testimony from town officials and the New Hampshire Municipal Association and follow-up technical edits by legislative staff.

The amendment, offered by Representative James Newsom, clarifies and expands the types of local meetings at which municipalities and school districts may use poll pads for voter check-in. Supporters told the committee poll pads reduce lines and produce more accurate end-of-night returns; the municipal association endorsed the concept but asked for corrections to statutory citations in the amendment.

Representative James Newsom, Merrimack District Nine (Hopkinton), introduced amendment 2025-1651h (filed as part of the SB 43 package) and explained the amendment revises two paragraphs of the bill and the non-germane section to expand poll-pad use beyond standard election day check-in. Newsom said the first paragraph aligns the…