CACR 17  - AS INTRODUCED

2022 SESSION

22-2128

07/11

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 17

RELATING TO: ballot measures.

PROVIDING THAT: upon petition by voters, a question may be placed on the ballot of a statewide election.

SPONSORS: Rep. Adjutant, Graf. 17; Rep. Read, Rock. 17

COMMITTEE: Election Law

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ANALYSIS

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution provides for a means for 5 percent of registered voters in the state to place questions on the ballot of a statewide election that, if passed, will become law within one year of the election in which they passed.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type

22-2128

07/11

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING CONSITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

RELATING TO: ballot measures.

PROVIDING THAT: upon petition by voters, a question may be placed on the ballot of a statewide election.

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

Constitution of New Hampshire be amended as follows:

I.  That the first part of the constitution be amended by inserting after article 11 the following new article:

[Art.] 11-a.  [Ballot Questions.]  The State of New Hampshire, provided its authority to govern by its citizens, shall provide a voice in the affairs of the state in the form of questions on the ballot.  When 5 percent of the total registered voters petition the secretary of state for placement of a question to all voters on the ballot of the following statewide election, it shall be granted provided the signatures are authentic and gathered within 90 days.  If the question receives a majority of the vote in favor, the question shall become law in the state of New Hampshire within a year of the election in which it was asked and the state may establish a process to ensure the intent of the question is carried out.

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, 2022.

III.  That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2022 election an article to the following effect:  To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2022 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 first part of the constitution by inserting after article 11 a new article to read as follows:

[Art.] 11-a.  [Ballot Questions.]  The State of New Hampshire, provided its authority to govern by its citizens, shall provide a voice in the affairs of the state in the form of questions on the ballot.  When 5 percent of the total registered voters petition the secretary of state for placement of a question to all voters on the ballot of the following statewide election, it shall be granted provided the signatures are authentic and gathered within 90 days.  If the question receives a majority of the vote in favor, the question shall become law in the state of New Hampshire within a year of the election in which it was asked and the state may establish a process to ensure the intent of the question is carried out.”

V.  That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot or on the same ballot with other constitutional questions.  The ballot containing the question shall include 2 squares next to the question allowing the voter to vote “Yes” or “No.”  If no cross is made in either of the squares, 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 2022 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 legislature or a constitutional convention may pose questions on the ballot of a statewide election in the form of proposed constitutional amendments.

IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, 5 percent of the total registered voters may petition the secretary of state to pose a question on the ballot of a statewide election which, if passed, will become law one year after that election.