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HB 288 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Limiting early absentee ballot requests

AI-generated

(New Title) limiting how far in advance of an election an absentee ballot may be requested.

As amended, this bill limits how far in advance absentee ballots may be requested, restricting UOCAVA federal post card applications to no earlier than January of the election year and other applications to no earlier than 6 months before the election.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill limits how far in advance an absentee ballot may be requested. Federal law requires that UOCAVA voters complete a new federal official post card no earlier than January of the calendar year in which a federal election occurs. Other applications for absentee ballots are limited to no earlier than 6 months prior to the election.

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

“An application form for an absentee ballot shall be mailed or delivered to any person who applies therefor to the secretary of state or to any town or city clerk.”
RSA 657:6
“It shall be filled out by the applicant and sent to the clerk of the town or city in which he or she desires to vote.”
RSA 657:6
“Alternatively, a person may apply for an official absentee ballot by sending to said clerk a written statement containing the information required by RSA 657:4, I or by the federal official post card form for UOCAVA voters as described under RSA 654:20.”
RSA 657:6
“The federal official post card forms shall be received no earlier than January of the calendar year in which the election occurs.”
RSA 657:6

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Robert WherryRPrimeChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
  • Rep. Claudine BurnhamRClerk· Election Law

Also: Rep. Clayton WoodR

Public testimony

646 signed in online · 258 wrote testimony

9% support91% oppose0% neutral

ForRestricts absentee voting to prevent misuse and verify eligibility

AgainstSix-month advance requirement is unrealistic and unpredictable

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I as well as the other five voting members of my household strongly support this piece of legislation. The absentee system has become overly abused and has opened our election systems to fraud.…”
— Joseph Abasciano, Miltonsupports
“This bill limits exposure of the absentee votes in our election assuring only qualified voters are eligible.”
— Christine Campbell, Newtonsupports
“Limits exposure of the absentee process to misuse and provides more time to verify requirements.”
— Steve Frechette, Nashuasupports
“The six-month postmark requirement for absentee ballot applications is preposterous. It is hard to imagine most voters being aware of a future election six months in advance. The committee should reject this outrageous proposal.”
— Patricia Vincent Piet, Concordopposes
“I am an election clerk in my town of Bedford. I have personally used the absentee ballot process. Needing to request an absentee ballot six months in advance is absurd. How can anyone predict illness, accidents, family emergencies, poor weather, etc this far out.…”
— Barbara Salvatore, Bedfordopposes
“I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow, let alone six months from now. Heck, my town didn't notify us of the March 11 election until January 22. Sponsors, do better.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes

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: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0349h (NT)10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0349hadopted
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0349hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law3:05:11–3:26:4121m 30slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law4:52:21–4:57:134m 52slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0349h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor3:56:18–3:57:261m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0349h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0349h — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 15, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs12:45–13:521m 7slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 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 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 11, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0349h (NT) 02/11/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  5. Feb 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0349h: AA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 43
  7. Mar 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0349h: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 43
  8. Mar 20, 2025SenIntroduced 03/20/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 9
  9. Apr 15, 2025SenHearing: 04/15/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:15 am; SC 17
  10. May 1, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 19
  11. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  12. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  13. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 51
  14. Jun 2, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/02/2025; Chapter 62; eff. 08/01/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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