Committee Summary for Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (01/20/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB437 00:17:42.720 - 8:16:33 AM	Public Hearing	making a line on the return that enumerates the number of people who attempted to register to vote but were denied registration due to lack of required documentation.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB438 01:26:27.760 - 9:25:18 AM	Public Hearing	enabling the department of safety and the secretary of state to develop a process to share certain information regarding REAL ID applicants.	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
SB489 01:48:08.719 - 9:46:59 AM	Public Hearing	requiring the address column to be the first column on the voter checklist.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB514 01:59:16.639 - 9:58:07 AM	Public Hearing	preventing ballot questions concerning alterations to municipal tax caps from being altered by local legislative bodies.	Murphy, Keith(R)[A]2025
SB495 2024-260106s 02:09:09.760 - 10:08:00 AM	Executive Session	increasing the limit for transfers of appropriations in Carroll County.	McConkey, Mark(R)[B]2025
SB439 2024-0133s 02:12:16.960 - 10:11:07 AM	Executive Session	relative to municipal data center zoning.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025

SB437: Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, District 21 (Portsmouth) Support00:17:42.720 - 8:16:33 AM; Senator Kwoka introduced SB 437, emphasizing the need to collect reliable data on voter registration denials due to lack of documentation. She noted that without objective measurement, policymakers cannot effectively manage voting rights issues. She referenced a report of 244 people turned away in 2025 but highlighted the lack of verification. The bill aims to provide factual data to improve voting laws while ensuring election security.
SB437: Dan Healey, Nashua City Clerk Support00:24:41.120 - 8:23:32 AM; Dan Healey supported the bill, sharing that he implemented informal tracking of denials in November elections, though it was inconsistent across wards. He advocated for statewide data collection on return forms to assess voter outreach effectiveness. He suggested tracking both initial denials and returns, citing an example of an army veteran turned away who did not return. He plans to continue tracking locally and recommend it to other clerks, noting that amendments could improve data accuracy by including names for reconciliation.
SB437: Bruce Barovski, Madison Support00:35:51.599 - 8:34:42 AM; Bruce Barovski, a first-time testifier, stressed the importance of voting rights and the need for data to measure registration barriers. He argued that legitimate citizens are disproportionately affected by documentation requirements compared to fraudulent attempts. He urged passage of the bill, possibly with edits, to understand the impact of voting laws, emphasizing it as a nonpartisan issue.
SB437: Bob Perry, Strafford Support00:38:39.119 - 8:37:30 AM; Bob Perry supported the bill, noting it could be amended to address concerns. He observed in Manchester's Ward 8 a person unable to prove domicile and leaving in anger, plus cases where prior voting history or attestations allowed registration. He highlighted the Secretary of State's limited education efforts and the need for SB 437's data to better assist voters and inform legislative improvements.
SB437: Kaylee, Open Democracy New Hampshire, Stratham Support00:42:14.079 - 8:41:05 AM; Kaylee testified in support of SB437, emphasizing the need for the state to measure the impact of recent voter registration changes like HB1569. She shared a firsthand story from the Manchester primary election where a 90-year-old lifelong voter and former executive counselor was unable to reregister and vote on the spot because he lacked proof of his new address after moving to a retirement community. Despite following the law, he had to return home for his lease, and under current rules, he couldn't reregister without documentary proof of citizenship after being removed via a national change of address form. This was his first time unable to vote in over 70 years. Kaylee argued that collecting data is essential to record such instances and ensure future policies prevent disenfranchisement, especially since HB464, which went into effect later, doesn't apply to all cases like first-time or out-of-state registrants.
SB437: Dan Weise, Concord Support00:47:58.640 - 8:46:49 AM; Dan, battling a cold, testified as a nonpartisan observer in Concord's Ward 4 during the last municipal election, where he witnessed three people turned away at the supervisor of the checklist table during a two-hour shift. The first was a recent mover from another state who thought he registered at the DMV but had to go home for his passport to prove citizenship. The second was an 18-year-old with a driver's license unaware he needed a birth certificate; he got a ride from parents and couldn't return. The third was an older man who moved from Boston to Concord, not on the printout due to a purge, and his license address wasn't updated; after embarrassment and frustration, he returned later after the town clerk verified his prior voting record. Dan stressed concerns about turning away legitimate voters, lack of evidence for widespread fraud in NH since 1986, the strictness of NH's laws without DMV registration, and the need to measure impacts, possibly revisiting affidavits to ease burdens on clerks.
SB437: Sarah Shannard, New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights Support00:57:25.359 - 8:56:16 AM; Sarah coordinated the nonpartisan poll observer program last year across NH towns and cities, focusing on issues from HB1569 and other changes. They identified over 200 voters turned away (defined as having to leave the polling location), some returned, some didn't, and many were untrackable due to lack of required recording. She advocated for SB437 as a common-sense measure to track this data, noting clerks see it as feasible with adjustments. She praised HB464 for allowing prior registration checks to satisfy citizenship but highlighted its time-intensive process (15 minutes to an hour per registration), potential for longer lines in midterms, and inapplicability to 18-year-olds or name changes (e.g., an elderly woman from Massachusetts couldn't register due to a marriage-related name change not captured in NH records). Sarah urged measuring impacts on eligible voters using clerks' reasonable methods to ensure transparency and protect voting rights in NH's tradition of excellent elections.
SB437: Devin Quinn, New Hampshire Women's Foundation Support01:01:23.359 - 9:00:14 AM; Devin testified in support of SB437 to prevent disenfranchisement, particularly of women voters affected by name changes after marriage. She noted 80% of married women in NH change their last name, equating to 34% of all women. Recent vital statistics updates help but complicate cases like out-of-state marriages or recent weddings not reflected since last voting. Polling day burdens are high for women with children, as schools close and retrieving documents like birth certificates or passports costs time and money. She emphasized studying impacts across married women regardless of partisanship to understand and address these barriers.
SB437: Sue, Legal Aid Support01:04:20.640 - 9:03:11 AM; Sue thanked the sponsors and supported SB437 for requiring statistics on election day voters turned away, noting current informal counts by poll workers lack legal backing for verification. New laws have made registration more confusing and paperwork-heavy, leading to turnaways that the state should track for transparency. Educating the public isn't quick or easy amid rapidly changing laws, despite appreciated efforts by Secretary Scanlan's office, like informative Facebook graphics. She urged passing SB437 to ensure accountability on why and how often voters are turned away.
SB437: David Trumbull, town of Ware Support01:06:55.200 - 9:05:46 AM; David Trumbull supports the bill for three reasons. First, the current system does not guarantee catching 100% of people turned away at polls, so tracking who they are, why, and how to help is essential, especially for first-time voters, name changers, or those without passports. Voting is a fundamental right upholding others. Second, extrapolating from 200+ turnaways in municipal elections, a general election could see 2,400-5,000 affected voters due to higher turnout. Third, without perfect accuracy, tracking is needed to protect voting rights. He urges passage.
SB437: Sarah (volunteer program coordinator) Information Only01:08:48.000 - 9:07:39 AM; Sarah clarifies the 200 turnaway number from municipal elections: it counted anyone sent away even briefly (e.g., to car for documents), but couldn't track returns due to privacy and observer limitations. Numbers are strict for turnaways but anecdotal for comebacks; tracking would help clarify.
SB437: David Scanland, Secretary of State, with Deputy Brendan O'Donnell Oppose01:10:31.760 - 9:09:22 AM; David Scanland opposes using official election forms for data collection on turnaways, as elections should focus on recording votes, not abstract data like forgotten IDs. His office encourages pre-election registration and provides free vital records for voting. Past voter ID tracking showed low issues (1% vs. predicted 11%). No complaints received on turnaways; numbers from interest groups vary. Extensive training and hotlines exist for issues. He prefers other data collection methods. In Q&A, he discusses holistic election admin, education efforts, free documents, and openness to improving processes without statutory data mandates.
SB437: Senator (unnamed, questioning Scanland) Information Only01:16:30.719 - 9:15:21 AM; The senator emphasizes holistic election administration includes knowing turnaway facts for eligible voters' participation. Agrees on education's importance and notes data discrepancies (200+ turnaways vs. no complaints), suggesting collaboration on alternative data collection to ensure voting access.
SB437: Another Senator (unnamed) Information Only01:22:58.480 - 9:21:49 AM; The senator asks about complaints from non-compliant voters and changes in vital records access. Scanland confirms many calls but few on this; explains free NH vital records for voting and plans for out-of-state links.
SB438: Senator Rebecca Perkins Qua, District 21 Support01:26:27.760 - 9:25:18 AM; Senator Perkins Qua introduces SB 438 to enable DMV and Secretary of State to share Real ID citizenship data for voting, without privacy breaches, to ensure eligible voters aren't denied while maintaining security. References meeting with DMB; open to tweaks based on prior laws like HB 464.
SB438: David Scanland, Secretary of State Oppose01:30:51.040 - 9:29:42 AM; Scanland opposes as unnecessary; HB 464 already enables MOU for sharing citizenship data with DMV. Photo sharing is premature due to IT limitations and e-pollbook rollout. May need statutory tweaks for death data sharing. Discusses potential for interstate vital records exchange.
SB438: Kate Han, Secure Democracy Support01:34:37.199 - 9:33:28 AM; Kate Han supports statutory data sharing of existing Real ID citizenship info (70% NH rate) to reduce voting barriers. Ensures continuity beyond personnel; bill allows privacy guardrails via MOU.
SB438: Bruce Barasi, Madison Support01:36:23.120 - 9:35:14 AM; Bruce Barasi speaks from the heart on voting apathy and registration difficulties. Urges not defeating bills with fixable issues; supports tracking turnaways, out-of-state ID access, and DMV record transfers for immediate registration, especially amid NH's migration-driven growth.
SB438: Bob Perry, town of Stratford Support01:38:17.920 - 9:37:08 AM; Bob Perry notes voters believe Real ID proves citizenship and may be rejected; new law 1569 repealed affidavits. His son nearly turned away at DMV for short-form birth certificate, highlighting documentation issues.
SB438: Kaylee Support01:39:56.320 - 9:38:47 AM; Kaylee supports the bill and notes that it can be amended as needed. She discusses DMV requirements for birth certificates, emphasizing the need for a raised seal or stamp on both short and long forms for voting purposes.
SB438: Sarah Shannard, New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights Support01:40:42.639 - 9:39:33 AM; Sarah coordinated a nonpartisan poll observer program and observed confusion among voters who believed their Real ID satisfied proof of citizenship, often because they presented passports or birth certificates when obtaining it. She supports measures to share citizenship information for voting purposes only, to help voters meet requirements without additional burdens while maintaining privacy.
SB438: Supervisor of the Checklist, Rollinsford Support01:42:40.960 - 9:41:31 AM; As a supervisor of the checklist in Rollinsford, the speaker frequently encounters new voters who present their Real ID expecting it to suffice for registration, only to be upset when informed it does not. She advocates for coordination between the Secretary of State's office and the DMV to allow Real ID use on election day, building confidence in these institutions.
SB438: Tara White and Ashley Gray, DMV Information Only01:44:13.040 - 9:43:04 AM; Tara White, driver's license administrator, and Ashley Gray from the DMV provide informational testimony. They clarify that New Hampshire offers Real ID but not enhanced driver's licenses, despite authorization. They note the process and cost for enhanced licenses have not been pursued and are available to answer questions.
SB489: Senator Kevin Avard, District 12 Support01:48:08.719 - 9:46:59 AM; As prime sponsor, Senator Avard introduces SB 489 to enhance voter integrity by organizing voter checklists by address rather than alphabetically. He cites an example from Georgia where over a thousand people were registered at one address, emphasizing the need to flag potential irregularities like multiple voters at a single dwelling to ensure legitimate voting and prompt inquiries.
SB489: David Scanlan, Secretary of State Oppose01:50:23.760 - 9:49:14 AM; The Secretary of State provides information, noting that voter checklists can already be downloaded and sorted by address electronically to identify multiples at a location. He opposes mandating address-first organization, as it would hinder ballot clerks' efficiency in locating voters alphabetically. He mentions tools exist to track absentee ballots by address without compromising privacy.
SB489: Brody Dees, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose01:53:30.960 - 9:52:21 AM; Brody opposes the bill, echoing concerns about disrupting the efficient alphabetical checklist process for voter check-in. He explains the standard procedure where voters state their name, provide ID, and clerks confirm alphabetically. He notes digital checklists allow anyone to sort and report irregularities, recommending the bill be found inexpedient to legislate.
SB489: Al Fulcino, resident of Hollis Support01:54:57.360 - 9:53:48 AM; Al Fulcino supports the bill to improve transparency and integrity of the voter registration list by organizing it alphabetically by name and then by address. He argues this provides ballot clerks with a tool to easily check the number of voters at each address, addressing modern challenges in larger towns where small vote margins can sway elections. He contrasts this with outdated systems and emphasizes the address-based nature of voting, urging the use of local clerks' eyes to maintain clean rolls without it being cumbersome.
SB514: Grant Bossi, deputy chief of staff for NH Senate, on behalf of Senator Keith Murphy Support01:59:16.639 - 9:58:07 AM; Grant Bossi introduces SB 514 to prevent governing bodies from amending petitioned warrant articles on tax caps, citing examples in Goffstown where a 3% school tax cap was proposed to be changed to 33%, and in New Boston where a 2% town tax cap faced amendment to 50%. He argues that if voters petition for a specific cap, it should appear on the ballot as is to preserve the intent and avoid rendering tax caps useless.
SB514: Brody Dea, New Hampshire Municipal Association Oppose02:01:20.080 - 10:00:11 AM; Brody Dea opposes SB 514, arguing it limits the legislative body's authority to amend warrant articles, including petitioned ones, which is a historical right treated like legislation. He notes examples cited were amended by voters, not governing bodies, and amendments ensure legal clarity per RSA 32:5-b. He highlights confusion from the bill's language on ballots, retroactive applicability potentially nullifying existing tax caps in six towns, and stresses equal treatment for all warrant articles without special classes.
SB495 2024-260106s: Senator Lang Information Only02:09:09.760 - 10:08:00 AM; Senator Lang proposes amendment 2024-260106s to repeal the $10,000 transaction limit statute for Carroll County, allowing delegations to set caps as they see fit. Discussions confirm no objections from county representatives or the Association of Counties, with support from committee members.
SB495 2024-260106s: Committee Vote02:11:12.320 - 10:10:03 AM; The committee adopts amendment 2024-260106s and passes SB 495 as amended by voice vote, placing it on the consent calendar.
SB439 2024-0133s: Senator Lang Information Only02:12:16.960 - 10:11:07 AM; Senator Lang presents amendment 2024-0133s, rewriting the bill to define data centers as occupying 25% of gross floor space (up from 10%) and permitting them in commercial and industrial zones while requiring compliance with local zoning ordinances. He emphasizes local control, removing prescriptive state details like tree sizes, and limiting to non-residential, non-agricultural, non-recreational zones.
SB439 2024-0133s: Senator Information Only02:14:15.679 - 10:13:06 AM; A senator raises concerns about data centers' electricity usage and its impact on rates, noting it may not be addressed in rural areas without sophisticated reviews. Discussion highlights that planning boards can inquire, similar to other high-usage facilities, and suggests regional impact reviews for large projects.
SB439 2024-0133s: Committee Vote02:18:41.439 - 10:17:32 AM; The committee adopts amendment 2024-0133s by voice vote, passes SB 439 as amended by voice vote, and places it on the consent calendar, allowing potential floor amendments.

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Lang, Timothy(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Perkins Kwoka, Rebecca(D)[F]2025
Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025