HB 408 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee
Moving state primary to August
AI-generatedmoving the date of the state primary to the fourth Tuesday in August.
Changes the date of the state primary election to the fourth Tuesday in August.AI-generated
Status
Died on the table in the House · March 26, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill changes the date of the state primary election to the fourth Tuesday in August.
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
“The state primary election shall be held on the [second] fourth Tuesday in [September] August of every even-numbered year.”
“The officer with whom primary petitions are filed shall immediately upon receipt thereof examine the same and ascertain whether they conform to the law.”
“If found not to conform thereto or to be conflicting as provided in RSA 655:23, [he] they shall then endorse thereon the reason why such petition cannot be accepted and shall, within 24 hours, return the same to the candidate in whose behalf it was filed.”
“In such case, the candidate may file supplementary petitions with the official, but not later than the third Wednesday in June.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Rep. Kris SchultzD
Public testimony
25 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony
48% support44% oppose8% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Gives the SOs a better chance pf getting the work done for the sept election”
“I support this Bill although I would move it an additional 2 weeks earlier. For those complaining about this being during vacation time. Too bad, those who fought to create this nation did not have vacation time either. Get over it.”
“Having a Primary in August is a horrible time for both election officials and the voters. Voter turnout would be very low and it would be harder to find volunteers to work the elections. That is prime NH vacation time.…”
“August is the worst time for voting as many people are away before school starts. This bill is intended to reduce voter turnout not increase voter engagement in NH.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the proposed changes to our state primary schedule.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–8Overall56% yea
- Mar 26, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB 408 on Table (Rep. Berry)Adopted190–147Overall56% yea
Hearings and debates
- Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law3:52:01–3:54:362m 35slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
- Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor58:33–1:02:183m 45slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB 408 on Table (Rep. Berry) — adopted, division 190-147
- Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 8
- Feb 25, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/25/2025 11:20 am LOB 306-308
- Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
- Mar 4, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 17 P. 29
- Mar 18, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
- Mar 26, 2025HouseLay HB 408 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA DV 190-147 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 55
- Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 19
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.