New HampshireNew Hampshire clerks must certify and report absentee ballot counts
New Hampshire town and ward clerks must record absentee ballot counts and send a certified form to the secretary of state within 72 hours of election close.
What it does
Town and ward clerks must record absentee ballot counts on a state form. They must send a copy to the secretary of state within 72 hours of election close.
Election moderators and clerks must certify the total number of official and absentee ballots received on the pre-election form. The clerk sends a copy with the election returns.
Argument forRecording several absentee ballot counts on one form could help election officials track ballots and spot mismatches.
Argument againstThe 72-hour reporting deadline could put time pressure on clerks handling election records immediately after polls close.
More detail
The secretary of state supplies two copies of the absentee ballot form, and clerks certify the required counts. The requirements apply to each New Hampshire town or ward clerk. UOCAVA identifies a voter group that this law does not define. Counts cover ballots received, mailed or delivered, spoiled before polls open, emailed to UOCAVA voters, and remaining before polls open. Clerks keep one copy and send the other to the secretary of state. The law took effect September 8, 2026. Clerks certify the counts when absentee ballots are counted.
Election moderators and clerks certify the total number of official and absentee ballots received on the pre-election form. The form goes to each New Hampshire town or ward clerk. The secretary of state supplies three copies. The moderator and clerk each keep one, and the clerk sends the third to the secretary of state with the election returns. The law took effect September 8, 2026. Officials certify the total when ballots are counted.
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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 299; eff. 9/8/2026Became Law
- Jul 1Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56To Governor
- Jun 30Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15Minor
- Jun 19Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2174e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14Major
- Jun 4Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2174e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 49
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report 2026-2110c: Adopted, DV 205-144 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 15
- Jun 4Conference Committee Report # 2026-2110c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- May 28Conference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2110c; 06/04/2026
- May 28Conferee Change: Rep. See Replaces Rep. Qualey 05/28/2026 HJ 14 P. 36
- May 28Conference Committee Meeting: 05/28/2026 10:00 am GP 228
- May 27Conference Committee Meeting: 05/27/2026 10:20 am GP 228
- May 21President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
- May 21Sen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
- Apr 23Speaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Lane 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
- Apr 23House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1506s and Requests CofC (Rep. Berry): MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 84
- Apr 23Committee Amendment # 2026-1506s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
- Apr 23Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1506s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10Passed Senate
- Apr 15Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1506s, 04/23/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 15Minor
- Mar 25Hearing: 04/01/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 12
- Mar 17Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 11Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0635h: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 157Passed House
- Mar 11Amendment # 2026-0635h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 157
- Mar 4Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 4Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0635h 03/03/2026 (Vote 13-4; RC) HC 10 P. 42Minor
- Feb 18Executive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 158
- Jan 22Public Hearing: 01/27/2026 02:00 pm GP 158
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Election Law HJ 1 P. 14Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting