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CACR 5 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

No-excuse absentee voting amendment

AI-generated

relating to absentee ballots. Providing that no excuse shall be needed by the voter to receive an absentee ballot.

Amends Part I, Article 11 of the New Hampshire constitution to let any qualified voter cast an absentee ballot for any reason, removing the current absence- or disability-based excuse requirement, pending 2026 voter approval.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 20, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. On the ballot

Analysis

This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution amends the constitution to allow absentee voting for any reason.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Every person shall be considered an inhabitant for the purposes of voting in the town, ward, or unincorporated place where he has his domicile.”
From the bill
“No person shall have the right to vote under the constitution of this state who has been convicted of treason, bribery or any willful violation of the election laws of this state or of the United States; but the supreme court may, on notice to the attorney general, restore the privilege to vote to any person who may have forfeited it by conviction of such offenses.”
From the bill
“Voting registration and polling places shall be easily accessible to all persons including disabled and elderly persons who are otherwise qualified to vote in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election.”
From the bill
“To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2025 session of the general court shall be approved.”
From the bill

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Connie LaneDPrimeRanking Member· Election Law
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Public testimony

313 signed in online · 65 wrote testimony

68% support32% oppose0% neutral

ForVoting should be made as easy and accessible as possible

AgainstExpanding absentee voting undermines election integrity

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am writing as a Supervisor of the Checklist of the largest district in the country to urge you to support CACR 5. I've been serving as a Supervisor for 15 years.…”
— Judy Strakalaitis, Derry · Derry Supervisors of the Checklistsupports
“In a world characterized by working from home and online shipping, absentee voting falls into the modern landscape. It provides a democratic and incorruptible solution to increasing voting turnout. Hence, CACR5 should be passed.”
— Taylor Barry, Nashuasupports
“Voting by absentee ballot is convenient and can increase participation among groups of voters. As an older person, I would like the opportunity to use an absentee ballot to avoid germs and crowds, and to avoid weather. Please consider this legislation.”
— Ellen Farnum, Tamworthsupports
“The right to vote is sacred, and must be protected for all citizens. It is not a matter of convenience.…”
— HON. ROBERT GIUDA, Warrenopposes
“Our ballots can be viewed as money. You need to have accountability for a valid request for an absentee ballot. We cannot have election integrity if we allow absentee ballot requests without reason.”
— James Goodwin, Brentwoodopposes
“Absentee Ballots must be granted according to our NH Constitution!”
— Susan Grant, Rochesteropposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 11, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateAdopted201–169
    Overall
    54% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law29:57–40:2310m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law4:36:08–4:39:093m 1slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:48:17–3:52:194m 2slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, division 201-169

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 18
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 11, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  5. Feb 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 201-169 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 42

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.