SB218

As a NH resident who has used the absentee ballot provision in the past, I ,completely support this bill to simplify the process for thoise case where it permits an individual to vote where, without a simple, understandable procees, they would be unable to do so.

As someone who has volunteered for the Town of Durham to process absentee ballots, I support improving the process.

we should not be making it harder for people to vote, DO YOUR JOB!!

Outer envelope is not necessary, simply an attempt to make it harder for people to have their vote counted.

I am in favor of any step New Hampshire takes to improve the absentee ballot process in order to make voting easier and more accessible.

It is paramount that there be nothing that makes voting more difficult or complicated. It is our constitutional right.

This bill removes the requirement that absentee ballots be placed in outer envelopes unless such ballots are mailed to town or city clerks. This bill also allows clerks to open outer envelopes to allow applicants time to cure defects.

I vote in local elections with an absentee ballot. The application is done on line. A photo of my photo ID is an unnecessary.

The City and Town Clerks Association has come out in favor of any allowance to pre-process absentee ballots. This bill allows the Clerks/moderators the ability to choose to do so therefore we support this legislation.

This would improve efficiency at the polls by reducing the number of times an absentee ballot is handled during processing..

I live in a Retirement Community. There are people here who rely on the ability to vote by absentee ballot. Anything you can do to make the process easy is much appreciated. This bill would reduce paper use and give Clerks and voters time to correct clerical problems before the vote is counted. Please vote OTP. Thanks for your hard work!

Please support this bill to improve administrative efficiencies.

Our schools have needed a educator professional development grant like this for some time. It's about time we finally got it done.

Citizens use absentee ballots for a variety of reasons. Often, individuals who are disabled, ill, frail, or who cannot otherwise vote in person rely on absentee ballots. SB 218 bill amends existing laws regarding absentee ballots by removing the requirement for absentee ballots to be placed in outer envelopes unless they are mailed to town or city clerks. SB 218 will facilitate the absentee voting process for voters with disabilities by requiring that ballots be enclosed and sealed in an inner envelope, which must be returned to the town or city clerk. If mailed, the ballot must be sealed in an outer envelope provided by the clerk. SB218 allows for personal delivery of the ballot without enclosing the affidavit envelope in the outer envelope. It also permits moderators to preprocess absentee ballots before election day, including examining affidavits for errors. SB218 repeals RSA 659:49-b, and simplifies how absentee ballots can be submitted and accepted.

Female

Research shows that hand counting is less accurate than machine counting.

I am female, have always been female, and my greatest joy throughout my school years was participating in sports. My three daughters (also born female) all participated in school sports. It's absurd and insulting that this type of bill is presented as protection for girls. We don't want this type of "protection". The opportunity to participate in sports should not be denied to anyone. The percentage of girls that are trans and wish to participate in sports is so low that this is simply a non-issue. The impact on girls sports is negligible and the impact on the general public is basically non-existent. There are plenty of issues right now in need of your attention that have the potential for devastating consequences for a large portion of our population. Please stop this witch hunt.

Please give consideration to supporting SB 218. This focuses on enhancing the absentee voting process for voters with disabilities. In addition, it also permits moderators to preprocess absentee ballots before election day, including examining affidavits for errors. The bill repeals RSA 659:49-b, which previously governed the opening of absentee ballot outer envelopes. In addition to the other improvements detailed in this bill, allowing the moderators to preprocess the absentee ballots will improve the flow of tallying the votes on election and result in a more timely conclusion of the counting of the individual ballots. Thank-you for your service and consideration of this bill. Royal M. Richardson