New HampshirePeople without citizenship proof can request state records checks
People seeking to vote without citizenship proof can request a records check and may get help paying for documents if the check fails and they qualify financially.
What it does
People seeking to vote without citizenship proof can ask officials to check government records. A successful check meets the citizenship requirement, but election day duties may limit the check.
People who cannot afford proof may get a voucher for a birth certificate or similar document if a records check fails and they meet state financial rules. They must submit proof by election day.
The secretary of state must repay cities and towns for vouchers their clerks issue. The state sets aside $50,000 for these costs through June 30, 2027.
Argument forA successful records check could help people who lack documents meet the citizenship rule without paying to replace those papers.
Argument againstIf election workers are too busy to complete a check, people without documents might struggle to confirm citizenship that day.
More detail
At a person's request, local election officials must try to confirm citizenship through the secretary of state. This covers people who say they qualify to vote but cannot show reasonable proof of U.S. citizenship. The secretary of state must make reasonable efforts using available government records. On election day, officials need not spend time on a check if it would unreasonably interfere with their other duties. If the state verifies citizenship, the person meets the citizenship requirement for voting. This procedure took effect July 17, 2026.
A city or town clerk or the secretary of state may give a voucher to pay for a birth certificate or similar citizenship proof. This covers people who say they qualify to vote, cannot afford citizenship proof, and could not be verified through the records check. Officials may ask for a financial form and use state rules to decide whether the person qualifies. The person must request the document from the records office in their birth state and use the voucher to pay any fee. The person must give the proof to local election officials on or before election day. This provision took effect July 17, 2026.
The secretary of state must repay cities and towns for vouchers their clerks issue. The state sets aside $50,000 to repay municipalities for vouchers that cover the cost of citizenship documents. The money covers the budget period ending June 30, 2027. The law took effect July 17, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 19Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 05/18/2026; Chapter 68; eff.07/17/2026Became Law
- May 11Enrolled (in recess of) 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 39To Governor
- May 11Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12Minor
- Apr 9Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8Major
- Apr 9Sen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2026-1407s, AF, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
- Mar 24Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/09/2026, Vote 5-2; SC 13Minor
- Mar 5Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/05/2026; SJ 5Minor
- Feb 18Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 3-2; CC; SC 8Minor
- Feb 11Hearing: 02/17/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 6
- Jan 15Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 2Minor
- Jan 8Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2994h: MA RC 195-142 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 2Passed Senate
- Vote recorded OTPA. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 8Amendment # 2025-2994h: AA VV 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 2
- 2025
- Nov 6Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Nov 6Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2994h 10/30/2025 (Vote 16-9; RC) HC 51 P. 35Minor
- Oct 14Executive Session: 10/30/2025 10:00 am GP 230
- Sep 18Division I Work Session: 10/02/2025 01:00 pm GP 230
- Aug 28Division I Work Session: 09/18/2025 10:00 am GP 230
- Apr 2Retained in Committee
- Mar 26Executive Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
- Mar 19Division I Work Session: 03/24/2025 09:00 am LOB 212
- Mar 13Ought to Pass: MA DV 200-169 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 69Passed House
- Mar 13Referred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 69Minor
- Mar 5Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 5Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/04/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)Minor
- Feb 27Executive Session: 03/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
- Feb 20Subcommittee Work Session: 02/21/2025 09:30 am LOB 302-304
- Feb 7Subcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 306-308
- Feb 7Public Hearing: 02/11/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
- Jan 8Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 16Introduced
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & EthicsTaxes & Budget