In the midst of the debate over absentee voting, there is one detail that has not gotten as much attention: the timing of counting absentee ballots.  Timing may seem like a small administrative issue, but it can have a big impact on how people perceive the legitimacy of election results.  

This year two New Hampshire bills – HB 61 and SB 47 – would allow early processing of absentee ballots as part of larger plans to expand absentee voting.  Two other election-related bills, SB 83 and SB 89, would also allow early processing of absentee ballots.