Committee Summary for House Election Law (03/31/2026)

Member	Member	Member
Berry, Ross(Chairman)(R)[A+]2025	Burnham, Claudine(Clerk)(R)[A-]2025	Qualey, James(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Ward, Gerald(D)[F]2025	Prudhomme-O'Brien, Katherine(R)[B+]2025	Gilmore, Gary(D)[F]2025
See, Alvin(R)[A-]2025	Grill, Jessica(D)[D-]2025	Aures, Cyril(R)[B+]2025
Wood, Clayton(R)[B+]2025	Bay, Luz(D)[F]2025	Wherry, Robert(R)[A-]2025
Harvey-Bolia, Juliet(R)[A-]2025	Muirhead, Russell(D)[D-]2025	Wilhelm, Matthew(D)[F]2025
Lane, Connie(D)[CT]2025	Newsom, James(D)[CT]2025	Guzofski, James(R)[B+]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB223	Public Hearing	(New Title) prohibiting student identification cards from being used as photo identification for purposes of obtaining a ballot.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB405	Public Hearing	relative to amounts reported by political committees.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB438	Public Hearing	(New Title) relative to the sharing of data between the department of safety and the secretary of state for the purposes of verifying the accuracy of information in the centralized voter registration database.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB534	Public Hearing	relative to foreign funding and influence in constitutional amendment and local ballot question campaigns.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB660	Public Hearing	relative to photo identification cards issued solely for the purpose of voting.	Gray, James(R)[B-]2025
SB534	General Working Session	relative to foreign funding and influence in constitutional amendment and local ballot question campaigns.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025

SB223: Support 00:01:46.106 - 10:01:18 AM; Senator Sullivan introduced the bill, explaining its evolution from an initial version that included in-state tuition incentives for student voters, which failed in the Senate. She modified it to prohibit student IDs as voter identification. She noted a similar bill already passed and suggested amendments to strengthen enforcement against out-of-state students voting in New Hampshire using campus registration sites not overseen by officials. She emphasized constituent concerns and shared a personal example of her son voting absentee in his home state while attending school out-of-state. During questions, she addressed concerns from UNH about financial impacts, arguing it supports requiring in-state IDs, and discussed domicile versus driver's license requirements, citing legal precedents and media examples.
SB223: Oppose 00:05:54.159 - 10:05:26 AM; Estradio opposed the bill, arguing it adds unnecessary barriers at voter check-in after eligibility is already verified during registration. She clarified that check-in only confirms identity, not re-proves domicile or eligibility, and student IDs suffice as they are verified with government-issued documents and used daily for campus access. She addressed practicality, noting students may not carry passports or birth certificates and could lack driver's licenses, especially high school or new voters. She dismissed security concerns as speculative without evidence of fraud in New Hampshire and highlighted legal risks under the 14th and 26th Amendments, citing recent court rulings against similar laws. She urged an Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) vote to maintain accessible elections. During questions, she affirmed students' rights to vote locally if domiciled there per census, noted no data on student driver's license percentages, clarified the 60-day license rule applies only to drivers, and defined 'home' as the student's originating place while campus is domicile.
SB223: Support 00:14:22.890 - 10:13:54 AM; Naughter briefly testified to correct misconceptions, stating the bill does not require proving citizenship for school attendance, as students can commute from neighboring states like Maine or Massachusetts without residing in New Hampshire. She argued a student ID only proves campus access rights, not legal voting eligibility in the state.
SB405: Information Only 00:21:41.521 - 10:21:13 AM; Roulard introduced the bill as instructed, providing no further details or questions.
SB438: Support 00:40:53.828 - 10:40:25 AM; Representative Connie Lane introduced SB 438 on behalf of Prime Sponsor Senator Perkins-Cuoco of Senate District 21, who had a scheduling conflict. The bill, as amended by the Senate Election Law Committee, requires the Department of Safety and Secretary of State to enter into an agreement for sharing voter information to update the centralized voter database. It changes 'may' to 'shall' for releasing necessary information from Motor Vehicle Registry and driver's license records to notify individuals of discrepancies for voter registration. The agreement must detail services and costs, be reviewed every three years, and takes effect next year. It was drafted with input from both departments and passed unanimously in committee and on the Senate floor. Lane urged favorable consideration and offered to forward questions to the sponsor.
SB438: Support 00:43:40.538 - 10:43:12 AM; Samantha Buckley testified in support of SB 438, emphasizing its role in bolstering election integrity through a formal data-sharing agreement between the Department of Safety (DOS) and Secretary of State (SOS), with reviews every three years. She noted that while New Hampshire requires documentation for voter registration, many voters lack these on election day, leading to turnaways. Nearly 70% of residents have Real IDs, providing eligibility proof to DOS. The bill enables SOS to verify voter information using DOS records, ensuring only eligible U.S. citizens domiciled in NH remain registered, reducing errors without burdening voters. It modernizes processes to enhance security and voter freedom. Buckley supported the bill and any similar measures like HB 1600 that secure data links for accurate voter registration.
SB438: Support 00:47:07.217 - 10:46:39 AM; Kaylee Estradio testified in support of SB 438, highlighting how it connects state agency systems to use existing reliable records for confirming voter eligibility, reducing redundancy and confusion. This streamlines registration, improves voter experience, and ensures accurate, up-to-date data for voters and officials. She referenced long wait times in 2025 fall city elections due to uncertainties from laws like HB 464, where officials had to verify prior registration to avoid reproving citizenship under HB 1569, slowing processes. SB 438 restores balance by relying on verified state information rather than adding hurdles at polls. She cited an example of a 90-year-old voter improperly removed from rolls in Manchester primary due to a national change of address form. Estradio urged a vote in favor to make elections secure and accessible.
SB438: Information Only 00:51:24.568 - 10:50:56 AM; Deputy Secretary Brendan O'Donnell provided information on SB 438, noting it requires maintaining a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Safety for exchanging voter data, similar to HB 1600. They implemented new inquiry features in the statewide voter registration system, allowing local officials to access DMV data to verify voter qualifications on election day. The rollout was successful, with positive feedback, minimal support calls, and about 250 verifications in local elections. He highlighted access options: browser-based for phones, and remote assistance via phone to SOS or DOJ if internet fails. For state elections, phone lines operate full polling hours; for local, similar coverage as in March town elections. He noted differences from HB 1600, mainly in language and requirements for local official access training.
SB534: Support 01:02:20.014 - 11:01:52 AM; Senator Kevin Avard, prime sponsor of SB 534FN, introduced the bill to close loopholes in New Hampshire law regarding foreign influences on ballot questions, constitutional amendments, and local issues, unlike protections for candidate campaigns. He emphasized that these decisions on taxes, land use, and local control should be made by New Hampshire residents, not foreign interests from places like Beijing or Moscow. The bill prohibits foreign money in such campaigns without restricting speech, advocacy, or testimony. Avard cited concerns in Nashua, including a Chinese organization Nongfu buying a building at four times value near the airport, seeking water resources, and other Chinese-owned facilities nearby, raising security issues. He referenced a Nevada incident with biological risks and noted foreign influences in universities and media. While unaware of direct ballot influence, constituents worry about foreign money swaying initiatives. Avard is open to amendments and willing to work with the committee.
SB534: Support 01:10:57.956 - 11:10:29 AM; Representative Jim testified in support of SB 534 as a co-sponsor, emphasizing that the bill closes important loopholes regarding foreign involvement in ballot measures, which existing law does not adequately address. He explained that the bill requires committees to certify that their activities and donors are free of foreign influence, mirroring existing campaign finance rules without adding new processes. This certification protects the integrity of democratic processes by targeting only foreign national funding, which courts have upheld as not protected speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to prevent deliberate foreign direction or substantial funding of ballot measures while not banning domestic advocacy or incidental foreign ties. It aligns with precedents in other states that have enacted similar bans. He urged the committee to pass the bill, allowing for minor adjustments if needed, and stressed the urgency for New Hampshire to act.
SB534: Support 01:18:34.289 - 11:18:06 AM; Corey Kendrick testified in support of SB 534, highlighting that free and fair elections are essential and that current laws prohibit foreign donations to candidates but not to ballot measures or constitutional amendments, creating a loophole. He noted that foreign-backed funds have influenced neighboring states like Maine and Massachusetts, and New Hampshire should act to prevent becoming a target. Referencing George Washington's warnings on foreign influence and current threats like the Chinese Communist Party, he argued that decisions on New Hampshire's laws should be made by its citizens, not foreign billionaires. The bill ensures accountability and safeguards against manipulation. During questioning, he clarified that the bill targets indirect funding through groups like the 1630 Fund, which receives foreign money and donates to PACs, using certification to prevent such flows. He provided examples of nine states (Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana) with similar laws and noted others in progress. He explained that existing prohibitions may not cover indirect funding, and the bill aims to root out foreign-backed groups by restricting their ability to allocate funds.
SB534: Support 01:30:55.432 - 11:30:27 AM; Olivia Zink expressed support for the concept of banning foreign funding in politics, thanking the sponsors, but provided information on needed clarifications and amendments. She pointed out issues with the definition of 'measure' in line 8, suggesting it should distinguish state constitutional amendments from local matters to avoid applying to cities, towns, school districts, or village districts amending the state constitution. She explored related statutes like RSA 654:5-banning foreign contributions but noted its applicability under RSA 654:1 is limited to state elections. To extend protections, she suggested amending RSA 664:1 to include the foreign contribution prohibition for all elections, including local ones. She acknowledged the complexity of RSA 664 and recommended a work session, noting past attempts to rewrite it. During discussion, she addressed funneling through PACs as a separate issue, suggesting references to prior bills, and emphasized splitting the definition of 'measure' to clarify state vs. local applications, ensuring the bill covers intended scopes without contradictions.
SB534: Information Only 01:37:58.249 - 11:37:30 AM; Discussed the definition of 'measure' to include constitutional amendments and the second half of that definition. Noted that banning foreign money already exists for constitutional amendments and suggested focusing on local questions, possibly by adding questions to voters or a separate section. Mentioned that most local elections are governed by local campaign finance rules, but not all communities, citing Dover, Portsmouth, Nashua, and Manchester as examples with such rules. Explained that push polls, political advertisements, and enforcement apply to local elections under RSA 664:1, providing ways to address foreign influence. Offered to answer additional questions offline.
SB660: Information Only 01:40:04.216 - 11:39:36 AM; Introduced Senate Bill 660 after the previous hearing, expressing some hesitation but proceeding to state the title: relative to photo identification cards solely for the purpose of voting. Indicated potential interest in the bill and declined to take questions.
SB660: Information Only 01:41:12.845 - 11:40:44 AM; Described the bill as a cleanup measure for the existing procedure allowing voters to obtain a free photo ID from the DMV for voting purposes only, with costs reimbursed to the Secretary of State's election fund. Explained that the original provision, from around the time of the initial voter ID law, requires the town clerk to certify the voter is registered, but updated it to require certification of proof of domicile since photo ID is now needed for registration and the qualified voter affidavit option is gone. Responded to Representative Wilhelm's question on the fee process: the card costs $20 but is not charged to the voter; a voucher from the clerk ensures the actual costs are paid by the Secretary of State from the election fund under RSA 260:21, V(a).
SB660: Support 01:42:43.685 - 11:42:15 AM; Testified in support of SB 660, requested by the Secretary of State and passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Called it a targeted cleanup fix for a catch-22 where voters must be on the checklist to get a free non-driver voter ID voucher from the clerk, but need the ID to register and join the checklist, affecting new voters, first-time voters, and new residents. The bill removes the checklist requirement, allowing the voucher upon proof of domicile; without the voucher, the $20 fee applies. Urged the committee to vote the bill out to pass as a narrow, practical fix to make the system work as intended.
SB534: Information Only 01:45:15.746 - 11:44:47 AM; Announced closure of public hearings for the day and discussed plans for the executive session on SB 534, expressing intent to monitor other committees' strategies before proceeding and hoping to handle it in one session. Indicated no full committee meeting next week to avoid unnecessary attendance. Responded to suggestion for a work session by proposing a subcommittee to function as one, allowing interested members to participate without involving the entire committee. Instructed members to notify their party leaders by evening if interested, promising to name the subcommittee the next day and noting easier notice rules for subcommittees. Wrapped up by mentioning no session that week and potential meetings the following Tuesday and Thursday.
SB534: Information Only 01:45:15.746 - 11:44:47 AM; Suggested setting up a work session for SB 534, citing the helpfulness of a previous work session for bill 1600 and noting the value of the recent conversation.
SB534: Information Only 01:46:24.259 - 11:45:56 AM; Agreed that the subcommittee approach is the best way to proceed, as it provides flexibility and avoids requiring attendance from uninterested members, allowing the meeting next Tuesday without full participation.
SB534: Information Only 01:47:25.759 - 11:46:57 AM; Continued discussion on subcommittee formation, suggesting sharing members for efficiency and considering fairness in assignments, referencing prior subcommittee work on bill 664 that took a year and only halfway completed. Confirmed the plan to form the subcommittee for SB 534.