relative to the counting of absentee ballots.

In the absentee ballot reporting section, 'Total number of absentee ballots mailed/and delivered by the clerk' was changed to 'Total number of absentee ballots mailed/delivered by the clerk,' removing the word 'and' to treat 'mailed/delivered' as a single combined reporting category rather than two separate ones.

The number of absentee ballot certificates distributed per clerk was reduced from 3 copies to 2 copies.

The moderator is no longer required to certify on the absentee ballot certificate; only the clerk must now sign it. The moderator's copy of the certificate was eliminated entirely.

Six data-tracking categories were removed from the absentee ballot certificate: ballots not returned by the voter, ballots issued on election day, ballots cast on election day, ballots rejected on election day, ballots used as official election day ballots, and ballots remaining at the close of polls. Only five categories remain (received, mailed/delivered, spoiled before polls open, emailed to UOCAVA voters, and remaining before polls open).

The deadline for the clerk to forward a copy of the absentee ballot certificate to the secretary of state was extended from 48 hours to 72 hours after the close of elections.

A new section was added requiring the secretary of state to prepare and distribute a 'Pre-Election Certificate' to each town or ward clerk. The moderator and clerk must certify the total number of official and absentee ballots received on it. Three copies are distributed: one for the moderator, one for the clerk, and one forwarded with election returns to the secretary of state.

The deadline for forwarding the certificate to the secretary of state changed from being sent 'with the election returns pursuant to RSA 659:75' (which follows a longer statutory process) to a fixed 'within 48 hours of the close of elections,' creating a much faster reporting requirement.

New required counts were added for: total absentee ballots emailed to UOCAVA voters, total absentee ballots not returned by the voter, total absentee ballots issued on election day, and total absentee ballots rejected on election day. This expands oversight of the full lifecycle of absentee ballots.

The count for mailed ballots was expanded from 'mailed to absentee voters' to 'mailed/and delivered by the clerk,' and the timing reference for spoiled ballots changed from 'prior to election day' to 'before the opening of the polls,' making the reporting window more precise.

A typo was corrected: 'an distribute' changed to 'and distribute.'