Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Election Accessibility During COVID-19 State of Emergency Signed in
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, HB 1266, a bipartisan package of initiatives to ensure election accessibility during the COVID-19 state of emergency was signed into law. HB 1266 makes temporary modifications to the absentee voter registration, absentee ballot application, and absentee voting processes in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Chair Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline) and Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye) issued the following statements in response:
“New Hampshire takes great pride in our dedication to the democratic process,” stated Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Chair Melanie Levesque (D-Brookline). “As we approach the 2020 state primary and general elections, action needed to be taken to ensure that no one was forced to choose between their health and their right to vote. While we celebrate today’s victory, we must also remember that these measures are temporary and as a state, we have a long way to go towards securing and modernizing our election system not only for this cycle, but for every election cycle hereafter.”
Vice Chair Tom Sherman (D-Rye) added, “Appointed to the Select Committee on 2020 Emergency Election Support by the Secretary of State, I worked closely with his office, the Governor’s office and all members of the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee to craft HB 1266 as amended to allow implementation of the Select Committee’s recommendations including temporary changes to absentee voter registration, absentee ballot application, and absentee voting processes. Today’s passage of HB 1266 is the result of dedicated, bipartisan work to ensure that this September and November, no eligible voter is prevented from participating in free and fair elections due to fear of COVID-19.”
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