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Municipal leaders warn that giving voters control over tabulators could tie officials' hands
Summary
House Bill 1076 would let municipalities put the question of authorizing electronic ballot tabulators to an official ballot. Supporters said it preserves local choice; the Municipal Association said it would move operational decisions from local election officials to the legislative body and potentially limit necessary flexibility.
Representative Susan Deroy proposed HB 1076 to allow each town or city to put a question on an official ballot to authorize or rescind use of electronic ballot‑counting devices. Deroy said the bill preserves local choice by allowing voters to decide whether their community uses tabulators for speed and accuracy or prefers hand counts for perceived transparency.
The New Hampshire Municipal Association opposed the measure, saying authority over purchase and deployment of ballot‑counting devices now rests with municipal governing bodies and is already subject to budget votes; moving the question to the official ballot would bypass deliberative sessions and could constrain election officials' ability to respond to federal or state election needs. Municipal officials also warned that the bill would prescribe how many devices are required and could tie officials' hands as populations change.
Senators asked practical questions about how the proposal would treat traditional town meetings and special ballots; witnesses said that in towns that do not use an official ballot for all items, a special ballot or warrant article could create confusion and suggested the issue is better handled through the community's budget and operating processes. The committee heard both concerns about transparency and arguments for preserving local control; no immediate committee action was recorded in the transcript.
