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HB 270 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Preserving ballot counting device storage

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring the preservation of electronic ballot counting device external storage devices.

Requires preservation of electronic ballot counting device external storage devices along with other election materials until election contests and appeals are resolved or at least 22 months have elapsed.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 22, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires preservation of electronic ballot counting device external storage devices with other election material until the contest is settled and all appeals have expired or at least 22 months after elections, whichever is longer.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Before each election, the vendor for any electronic ballot counting device shall provide the secretary of state with an exact electronic record of the data written to each [memory card] external storage device to be used in the election.”
Section 174:2
“Whenever the town or city clerk receives a programmed external storage device from the vendor, the clerk shall lock any programmed external storage device not inserted into an electronic ballot counting device in a safe and record the names of individuals that have access to such safe in the activity log.”
Section 174:2
“(c) The town or city clerk shall preserve each [memory] external storage device used at each election [until after the recounts for such election are complete and any and all legal challenges to the outcome of that election are adjudicated] as provided in RSA 33-A:3-a or as directed by the secretary of state.”
Section 174:2
“The town or city clerk shall update an activity log supplied by the secretary of state to keep a record each time a counting device seal is broken and a new one installed, and the reason for which the seal was broken.”
Section 174:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Claudine BurnhamRPrimeClerk· Election Law
  • Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Ross BerryRChair· Election Law

Also: Rep. Aidan AnkarbergI, Rep. Susan DeRoyR, Rep. Kelley PotenzaR, Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

142 signed in online · 13 wrote testimony

18% support82% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Fluoride lowers IQ. It is a toxic substance. PLEASE stop knowingly poisoning our families.”
— Brenda Towne, East Wakefieldsupports
“As a mother I feel strongly that decisions related to pregnancy are personal between a women and her partner and her doctor. Not every pregnancy goes as hoped for or when the woman is ready.…”
— Elizabeth Nelson, Derryopposes
“I oppose this bill because a person's ability to drive safely would be the determining factor in obtaining a license. Also, the permitting process would further burden the licensing board and cost the state more money.”
— Deborah Bruss, Concordopposes
“This bill is unnecessary. Procedures are already in place to secure this information.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoveropposes

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

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law23:26–32:579m 31slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law1:29:21–1:33:374m 16slocated in the stream transcript==RECESSED== Executive Session
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law2:00:32–2:03:312m 59slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1053h; ==CONTINUED== Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1053h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1053h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 29, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs52:03–1:01:499m 46slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1834s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1834s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-1834s — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:08:10–1:09:121m 2slocated in the stream transcriptHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1834s (Rep. Berry) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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. 13
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 10:20 am LOB 306-308
  3. Mar 11, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  4. Mar 18, 2025House==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 03/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  5. Mar 18, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1053h 03/18/2025 (Vote 17-0; CC) HC 17 P. 12
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1053h: AA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 18
  7. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1053h: MA VV 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 18
  8. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 10
  9. Apr 29, 2025SenHearing: 04/29/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 19
  10. May 8, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1834s, 05/08/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 20
  11. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1834s, AA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  12. May 8, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1834s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  13. Jun 12, 2025HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1834s (Rep. Berry): MA VV 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 9
  14. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  15. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 59
  16. Jul 15, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2025; Chapter 174; eff.09/13/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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