Committee endorses bill to limit delays in processing absentee ballots

Representative Gary Daniels, prime sponsor of House Bill 294, told the Senate committee the measure removes the first sentence of the RSA provision that permits postponing processing of absentee ballots until after polls close. Daniels said the current provision can significantly delay reporting results and impose substantial burdens on poll workers.

Daniels said Milford runs a large polling place with many voters and unpaid volunteers; in the November election, the last voter cast a ballot at about 8:45 p.m., and if absentee processing had been postponed until after polls closed, the town could have been counting into the early morning hours. “Asking volunteers to stay at the polls until very late at night or even worse until early in the morning … is a burden we don't need to put on those willing to freely give of their time,” Daniels said.

Pete Basilere, Milford town moderator and school district moderator, testified in support and said Milford has more than 10,000 registered voters at a single polling place and relies on about 140 unpaid volunteers. Basilere said the process is open and publicly posted, and moderators announce when processing will begin.

Supporters said the change preserves transparency while preventing a small number of voters from using procedural mechanisms to push absentee processing to the end of the night. Linda Bundy and Kaylee Estradio also testified in favor, and the record showed broad support online.

In executive session the committee voted to report HB 294 “ought to pass.” Senator Lang moved the motion and Senator Rocheford seconded. The committee recorded the voice vote as affirmative.