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HB 294 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Ending postponed absentee ballot counting

AI-generated

relative to the processing of absentee ballots.

Eliminates the option for 10 or more voters to postpone absentee ballot processing until after polls close, instead requiring moderators to publicly post and announce the processing start time in advance.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 30, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill removes the ability of 10 voters to postpone the processing of absentee ballots.

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

“In addition, when the polls open the moderator shall announce the time at which the processing of absentee ballots shall begin.”
Section 45:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Gary DanielsRPrime
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Wayne MacDonaldRChair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Vanessa SheehanRVice Chair· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Brian SullivanDSenior Democratic Advisor

Also: Rep. Paul DargieD, Rep. Thomas SchambergD, Rep. Jack FlanaganR

Public testimony

531 signed in online · 91 wrote testimony

87% support13% oppose0% neutral

ForDelaying processing until polls close causes confusion, undermines confidence

AgainstBill is unnecessary or imposes new burdens on voters

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Delaying absentee processing until the end of election day only serves to delay counting and results into later in the night – resulting in confusion and undermining voter confidence. Please SUPPORT this bill.”
— Cora QUISUMBING-KING, Doversupports
“Delaying absentee processing until the end of election day makes no sense and only serves to delay counting and results into later in the night – resulting in confusion and undermining voter confidence.”
— Laura Morrison, Concordsupports
“I am the deputy moderator in charge of elections in my town. I am therefore not an elected official, but I was appointed by the select board.…”
— Lee Wells, ANDOVERsupports
“Please OPPOSE this bill. Thank you, Dan Manchester Ward 12”
— Dan Roux, Manchesteropposes
“Please OPPOSE this bill. Thank you, Deb Manchester Ward 12”
— Deb Roux, Manchesteropposes
“I am totally opposed to this bill. I believe in the traditional meaning of "absentee ballot"; a citizen who cannot vote on the day of the election in person due to extenuating circumstances like being in the military.…”
— Jim Avallon, North Hamptonopposes

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· consent calendar: Ought to Pass18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 8, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law4:05:50–4:15:399m 49slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law4:56:45–4:59:062m 21slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs32:17–43:5011m 33slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 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. 14
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 02:00 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 11, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/11/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 14 P. 7
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 8
  6. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  7. Apr 1, 2025SenHearing: 04/01/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 15
  8. Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  9. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  10. May 8, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/08/2025); SJ 13
  11. May 8, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/08/2025 HJ 14 P. 59
  12. May 29, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/29/2025; Chapter 45; eff. 07/28/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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