The state office that oversees elections is opposing a bill that would open individual ballots to public view after an election. Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan told the House Election Law Committee Tuesday that House Bill 1357, if passed, could open elections to corruption. “Hopefully,” Scanlan said, “you trust your local moderator” and other election officials “to make sure they are running the election in your town in a fair and impartial way.”
Deborah Sumner, a former election clerk in Jaffrey has argued that the public has a right to view and verify election results upon request and without a court order. She has challenged the existing law in court.
Sumner told the committee that New Hampshire is among five states that “guarantee citizens’ right to know in its Constitution.
She said at least 25 states “have protected the rare and legitimate privacy issues and allow public review of ballots after the recount period has ended.”
Full Article: Secretary of State opposes move to open ballots to public view | New Hampshire Politics.