CACR 9 - AS INTRODUCED

2023 SESSION

23-0900

02/08

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 9

RELATING TO: the New Hampshire presidential primary.

PROVIDING THAT: the New Hampshire presidential primary will be the first presidential primary of a presidential election cycle.

SPONSORS: Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Gendreau, Dist 1; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Avard, Dist 12; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Rep. Shurtleff, Merr. 15; Rep. S. Smith, Sull. 3; Rep. Doucette, Rock. 25; Rep. Abare, Hills. 1; Rep. Sweeney, Rock. 25

COMMITTEE: Election Law and Municipal Affairs

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ANALYSIS

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution codifies in the state constitution the statutory requirement that New Hampshire's presidential primary be held before any other state's presidential primary election.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type

23-0900

02/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RELATING TO: the New Hampshire presidential primary.

PROVIDING THAT: the New Hampshire presidential primary will be the first presidential primary of a presidential election cycle.

Be it Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, that the

Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:

I. That the second part of the constitution be amended by inserting after article 68 the following new article:

[Art.] 68-a [Presidential Primary Elections.] The secretary of state shall ensure that the presidential primary election be held seven or more days immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election.

II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2024.

III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2024 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2023 session of the general court shall be approved.

IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:

“Are you in favor of amending the second part of the constitution by inserting after article 68 a new article to read as follows:

V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.” If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words “Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2023 General Court” shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.

VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.

VII. Voters' Guide.

AT THE PRESENT TIME, the constitution does not specify a date for the state presidential primary election.

IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, the constitution would require that the state presidential primary election be held on a date that is at least seven days before any other state's presidential primary election.