Senate committee approves allowing voters to request individual hand counts with safeguard for ballot handling

Representative Balvin Sy told the committee House Bill 154 would allow an individual voter to request that their ballot be hand counted rather than require an overvote to force a hand count. The bill amends rules associated with electronic ballot counting devices (citing RSA 6:56 series).

Members raised practical concerns about ballot handling and machine jams when multiple ballots are inserted together. Senators discussed preserving voter privacy while ensuring the machine operator can confirm only a single ballot is being put into the auxiliary compartment. Several senators said they would accept an amendment permitting the voter to hand the ballot to the election official manning the ballot machine, who would then place the ballot in the auxiliary compartment, so the device operator can check for doubled or multiple ballots without exposing the voter’s choices.

At the committee meeting the amendment — instructing the voter to hand the ballot to the election official manning the machine, who shall place it in the auxiliary compartment — was adopted. The committee then voted to move HB 154 ought to pass as amended and returned the bill with that recommendation. The hearing record showed six online supporters and 57 opposed. Committee members said additional statutory cross-references would be checked during drafting and implementation.

Testimony in support emphasized voter confidence and transparency. Opponents and some senators emphasized privacy protections for folded ballots and the need for privacy folders or other safeguards when ballots are handled for inspection.