New HampshireTowns and cities must provide presidential polling places per 15,000 voters
Starting September 16, 2026, towns and cities must provide presidential election polling places based on January 1 voter counts, unless officials approve one site serving over 15,000 voters.
What it does
For presidential general elections, towns and cities must provide at least one polling place per 15,000 voters registered on January 1. One site serving more than 15,000 needs approval.
A town or city seeking one polling place for more than 15,000 voters must get approval from the secretary of state and attorney general. Its plan must address traffic, parking, and election staffing.
Argument forA minimum number of polling places could spread voters across sites and reduce waits during presidential elections.
Argument againstTowns with over 15,000 registered voters might need multiple sites or a detailed approval plan, adding work for local election staff.
More detail
Each town or city must provide at least one polling place for every 15,000 registered voters. This applies to presidential general elections in New Hampshire, using the voter list as of January 1 of the election year. A town or city seeking one site for more than 15,000 registered voters must get joint state approval. The requirement applies starting September 16, 2026.
A town or city seeking one large polling site must submit a plan and get joint approval from the secretary of state and attorney general. This applies when one polling place would serve more than 15,000 registered voters in a presidential general election. The plan must address access and election operations, including traffic, parking, and staffing. The officials may request more information or require specific steps on election day. This requirement applies starting September 16, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Signed by the Governor Kelly Ayotte on 03/20/2026; Chapter 7; Effective 09/16/2026Became Law
- Mar 11Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/05/2026); SJ 6To Governor
- Mar 11Enrolled 03/11/2026 HJ 7
- Feb 5Special Order to the Present Time, Without Objection, MA; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
- Feb 5Sen. Gray Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
- Jan 7Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2938h: MA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 164Passed House
- Jan 7Amendment # 2025-2938h (NT): AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 163
- 2025
- Dec 19Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2938h (NT) 09/16/2025 (Vote 17-0; RC) HC 51 P. 32Minor
- Aug 25Executive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
- May 27Retained in Committee
- May 14Executive Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
- Apr 8==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
- Apr 8Public Hearing: 04/22/2025 11:20 am LOB 306-308
- Mar 28Introduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 11 P. 111Minor
- Mar 13Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0741s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7Passed Senate
- Mar 13Committee Amendment # 2025-0741s, AA, VV; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
- Mar 7Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0741s, 03/13/2025; Vote 4-1; CC; SC 12Minor
- Jan 30Hearing: 02/04/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:15 am; SC 8
- Jan 22Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting