Bill Would Require Additional Polling Places in Large Municipalities; Clerks, Municipal Association Oppose Mandatory Rule

Senate Bill 103, as amended in the Senate, would require one polling place for every 15,000 registered voters in presidential-election years unless the secretary of state grants an exemption. The House Election Law Committee heard competing testimony on whether that kind of state-mandated minimum would improve voter access or create impractical burdens for towns and counties.

Senator Murphy, sponsor of SB 103, said the proposal responded to last year's long lines in at least one municipality. "More polling places would equal less of a wait, and the last thing we want to do is deter people from voting," Murphy said. The bill applies only to presidential-election years and includes an exemption process and criteria for the secretary of state.

Town officials and the New Hampshire Municipal Association (NHMA) urged the committee to preserve local control. Dan Healy of Derry said multiple polling locations in his town still funnel traffic to the same congested corridors and that schools and community facilities that could be used as polling places lack parking. Tina Guilford, Derry town clerk, said the town's move to a single large polling site at Pinkerton Academy gave staff more room and parking and that additional polling places are not always a workable solution.

The NHMA and municipal witnesses warned of extra staffing, rental and logistics costs. Sarah Burke Cohen of NHMA told the panel the association's fiscal estimate placed additional costs in a broad bucket and that impacts vary widely by community; she said municipalities understand local traffic, parking and polling needs.

Deputy Secretary Erin Hennessy said the secretary's office receives complaints about long waits and works with moderators and clerks to reallocate resources and set up contingency ballot boxes when lines are excessive. She urged that any statutory changes be coordinated with the election procedure manual and that notice provisions be considered for voters when polling places change.

Committee members discussed possible amendments to provide transition time and plan requirements for communities that would fall under the threshold. The committee closed the public hearing after receiving extensive written input and will consider amendments and fiscal information before acting.