NH House Testimony

HB151

House · 2025 sessionRepublicanSigned into law

Supervisors of checklist term length

AI

Allows a local legislative body to change the term length for supervisors of the checklist.

relative to the term for supervisors of the checklist.

ElectionsMunicipalities

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

278 submissions
Support 11Oppose 266Neutral 1
Leane GarlandOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

This is a solution looking for a problem. The present system ensures continuity and experience in the supervision of the checklists. There is no problem. Why change the present system? Vote Inexpedient to Legislate.

Elven EalyOpposeLitchfield, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

We should not change the term of the supervisors. It add only confusion with the 3 years as opposed to the 6 year terms. This way the supervisor servs for 3 elections instead of 1.5.

Patricia MartinOpposeRindge, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

This would negatively impact consumers and small businesses. I strongly oppose this bill.

Mary DownesOpposeMadbury, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I have volunteered to help at local town elections for years and suggest we don't try to fix what is not broken by adding additional barriers to citizen participation in local elections. We don't need 3 year terms for Supervisors of the checklist and this bill should be voted ITL.

Micheline HaganOpposeBarrington, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

Please vote to support ranked-choice voting.

Sally PattonOpposeNEW LONDON, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

School districts MUST remain non-partisan!!!!

Claudia DamonOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

With all due respect, it is a terrible idea to make school district elections partisan. Regardless of which side of the so-called "culture wars" you are on, the tables may turn at some point and you will be faced with a partisan political solution that you do not like. Let's keep the elections non-partisan.

Jana SellaroleOpposeWalpole, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

Get rid of gerrymandering! It's un-American, and anti-democratic!

Shirley MontgomeryOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I believe the current law works well and doesn't need changing.

Ann ShumpNeutralDurham, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

Is my math wrong, or is yours? I am trying to figure out how there can be 3 supervisors, each of whom serves 3 years, but the elections are every TWO years.

Sue NastasiOpposeDover, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

HB151 is not realistic for the Supervisors of the Checklist. Anyone who supports a 3 year term instead of the current 6 year term should read the fine details of year to year and types of elections. One year does not match the previous year. Please understand the types of requirements for a Supervisor. EXPERIENCE matters understanding the flow of duties and what to expect. There shouldn't be a need to state how types of elections differ; every 4 years of a presidential, every 2 years for state elections, and it depends on the town for March or May local elections. It should be required of all Election Law committee members to review the job duties before supporting or opposing HB151. HB151 should not go further than this committee. Again, EXPERIENCE matters.

Julie LevesqueOpposeHollis, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I do not support this bill.

Leigh HutchinsonOpposeDerry, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

Supervisors need to cover one full national election cycle. 3 years is too short and the constant flip isn't beneficial for local officials to get a handle on the process, creating too much local burden.

PAMELA DESILETSOpposeGOFFSTOWN, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

This bill is a VERY bad idea that will lead to fraudulent voting! Please do not pass this bill. Thank you.

Andrea SeddonOpposeHollis, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

It practically takes three years to learn the job. Do not change it from six.

Sharon RacusinOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

This bill changes the term for supervisors of the checklists from 6 years to 3 years which over a period of time could lead to loss of experience and procedural knowledge for different types of elections. The current 6 year term of office has been working without difficulty. There is no need to change the length of the term.

Linda BundyOpposeAntrim, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

The current system of 6-year terms for supervisors of the checklist that are staggered so that one supervisor is elected every two years assures that there will always be experienced officials at every election. This position is essential and requires significant training, and the current system meets the demands required. I think that a 3-year term will be disruptive to the functioning of the supervisors of the checklist. Additionally, the bill states that elections will be held every 2 years. I don't see how that will work with 3-year terms. I hope that you will vote ITL on this bill.

James ArgeriouOpposeCandia, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I oppose this bill.

Bob PerryOpposeStrafford, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

Julie LaracyOpposeConway, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I oppose this bill.

Martha Jane RichOpposeEnfield, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

Adopting partisan school district elections would cause significant and unnecessary harm to the process of recruiting and electing the best school board members. We appreciate and honor the service these people provide apart from their party affiliations. In our district, we often have no idea what party our candidates might favor. This works well. It's a system that "ain't broke," so there's no need to "fix" it.

Jamie CarreauOpposeDerry, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

This seems very much unnecessary,

Christine BaneSupportStrafford, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

6 year terms are too long for anyone, I have seen complacency set in.

Vanessa GravellOpposeSalem, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I oppose this bill.

Gail McPeekOpposeEnfield, NHfor MyselfFeb 25, 2025

I oppose this bill relative to the term for supervisors of the checklist.