HB1699: allowing caucus identification on ballots.

HB 1699-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2024 SESSION

24-2553

08/05

HOUSE BILL 1699-FN

AN ACT allowing caucus identification on ballots.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gerhard, Merr. 25; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS

This bill allows caucus identification on ballots.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2553

08/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

AN ACT allowing caucus identification on ballots.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Caucus Designation. Amend RSA 656 by inserting after section 9 the following new section:

656:9-a Caucus Designation. Candidates for the office of state representative may list up to 3 caucuses they are affiliated with for inclusion on the ballot. Caucuses shall be described in 140 characters or less and printed on a separate piece of paper which accompanies the ballot. Sixty-days before the election, house caucus members shall submit a list of approved caucus members to the secretary of state for inclusion on the ballot. Five members of the house shall be registered in a caucus with the house clerk for inclusion on such list. Candidates for the house of representatives, the senate, and the executive council may submit their names to the caucus for inclusion on such list.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

LBA

24-2553

12/11/23

HB 1699-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT allowing caucus identification on ballots.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

None

Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable Increase

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No

• Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A

METHODOLOGY:

This bill allows caucus identification on ballots. The Department of State indicates upon a candidate's request, the Secretary of State can list up to three caucuses alongside their name on the state election ballot. A brief description of each caucus (140 characters or fewer) will accompany the ballot. Depending on the candidates per ballot, this might extend or require extra ballots. The exact paper size or number required for these caucus descriptions isn't known. The added expenses for longer or extra ballots and inclusion of caucus descriptions encompass paper, printing, packing, labor, boxes, shipping, and training materials for voters and officials are expected to be substantial but cannot be precisely estimated at this time.

It is assumed the fiscal impact of this bill will not occur until FY 2025

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of State