New HampshireNew Hampshire requires secure ballot storage starting January 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, New Hampshire’s secretary of state must supply local clerks with secure ballot containers and report annually on container replacements.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, the secretary of state must provide local clerks secure ballot containers before state and federal elections and prepare secure containers for separate ballots on voter questions.
Starting January 1, 2027, the secretary of state must report each year on how many secure ballot containers were replaced, their locations, and replacement plans for the following year.
Argument forLocked containers with seals that show signs of opening could help election officials protect stored ballots and spot possible tampering.
Argument againstTracking container replacements and preparing yearly reports could take election staff time away from other election tasks.
More detail
The secretary of state must prepare and distribute secure ballot containers to each town and ward clerk. The requirements cover containers used to preserve regular ballots and separate ballots on questions put to voters. Regular ballot containers must be durable, reusable, transportable, stackable, marked, and numbered, with locks and seals that show signs of opening. Containers for separate ballots on voter questions must be durable, transportable, able to be secured, and fitted with seals that show signs of opening. The secretary of state must set the containers’ size and form and the specifications for locks and seals. The law takes effect January 1, 2027. Regular ballot containers must be prepared and distributed before each state and federal election.
The secretary of state must prepare an annual report on ballot container replacements. The report must include the number of secure containers replaced, their locations, and planned replacements for the following year. The reporting requirement takes effect January 1, 2027. The law does not specify an annual filing date.
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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
- Jul 20Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/15/2026; Chapter 327; eff. 01/01/2027Became Law
- Jul 6Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15To Governor
- Jul 6Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2177e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 53
- Jun 23Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2177e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2091c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 12
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2091c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2091c; 06/04/2026
- May 28Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- May 28Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- May 27Conferee Change: Rep. Newsom Replaces Rep. Muirhead 05/27/2026 HJ 14 P. 35
- May 27Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 10:40 am GP 228
- May 13President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
- May 13Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/07/2026); SJ 12
- Apr 23Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Lane, Muirhead 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
- Apr 23House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1313s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
- Apr 9Committee Amendment # 2026-1313s, AA, VV; 04/09/2026; SJ 8
- Apr 9Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1313s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/09/2026; SJ 8Passed Senate
- Apr 1Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1313s, 04/09/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 13Minor
- Mar 25Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
- Mar 6Introduced 03/05/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 6Minor
- Mar 5Ought to Pass: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 15Passed House
- Feb 24Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/10/2026 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 9 P. 14Minor
- Feb 11Executive Session: 02/10/2026 11:00 am GP 158
- Jan 29Public Hearing: 02/03/2026 03:20 pm GP 158
- 2025
- Dec 10Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 25Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting