New HampshireOfficials may verify voters they know who lack photo ID
Local election officials who know a voter without valid photo ID may confirm their identity, but a supervisor must check eligibility before the voter gets a ballot.
What it does
An official who knows a registered voter without valid photo ID may confirm their identity. The official must sign a sworn form, and a supervisor decides whether the voter can vote.
Argument forA voter without valid photo ID might still vote when an official knows them and a supervisor confirms their identity and eligibility.
Argument againstAn official might mistake someone for a voter they know, and a supervisor could then allow that person to vote under the wrong name.
More detail
A moderator, clerk, voter checklist supervisor, or selectman may confirm a voter's identity if they personally know the voter. This applies when a voter lacks valid photo ID and is listed on the voter checklist at that polling place. The official must sign and keep a sworn form, witnessed by a different moderator or clerk. A supervisor must confirm the voter's identity and eligibility before allowing them to vote. A voter denied a ballot may appeal immediately to superior court. This provision took effect September 8, 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
- Jul 16Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 284; eff. 09/08/2026Became Law
- Jul 1Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56To Governor
- Jun 29Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15Minor
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2098c: Adopted, RC 197-159 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 13
- Vote recorded Adopt CofC Report. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2098c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2098c; 06/04/2026
- May 27Conferee Change: Rep. See Replaces Rep. Wherry 05/27/2026 HJ 14 P. 35
- May 27Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 09:20 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, Wherry, Burnham 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
- Apr 23House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1015s and 2026-1083s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 83
- Mar 12Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1015s and #2026-1083s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6Passed Senate
- Mar 12Sen. Gray Floor Amendment # 2026-1083s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
- Mar 12Committee Amendment # 2026-1015s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
- Mar 12HB 317 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
- Mar 4Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1015s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9Minor
- Feb 5Hearing: 02/10/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 09:45 am; SC 5
- Jan 30Introduced 01/29/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3Minor
- Jan 7Ought to Pass: MA DV 187-150 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 157Passed House
- 2025
- Nov 17Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Nov 17Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass 09/16/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 51 P. 31Minor
- Aug 25Executive Session: 09/16/2025 10:15 am GP 158
- Mar 12Retained in Committee
- Mar 6Executive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
- Mar 4Subcommittee Work Session: 03/07/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
- Feb 12Public Hearing: 02/18/2025 03:20 pm LOB 306-308
- Jan 8Introduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 14Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting