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HB 464 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Election ballot counting and voter rules

AI-generated

(New Title) prohibiting certain candidates for political office from participating in counting ballots.

Prohibits certain political candidates from participating in ballot counting, permits use of personal information collected by other state agencies to determine voter eligibility, and requires reporting of low-value campaign donations.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · August 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill prohibits candidates that appear on the ballot from participating in counting ballots before the election.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Erica de VriesDPrime
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration

Public testimony

38 signed in online · 8 wrote testimony

66% support34% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This support for this bill should be obvious to anyone who believes that potential conflicts of interest are always detrimental to fairness.”
— Graham Johnson, Sanborntonsupports
“Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of HB464, which prohibits candidates appearing on the ballot from participating in the counting of ballots before the election.…”
— Ashley Hartson, Bowsupports
“Why in the world should a candidate be allowed to count ballots??”
— Stephen Tyler, Portsmouthsupports
“There often aren't enough people available to help with counting ballots on election day mornings before the polls open, and I see no valid reason to disallow candidates from helping with this necessary & burdensome task to count unmarked ballots.”
— Cindy Kudlik, Graftonopposes
“There is NO harm done by people on the ballot counting blank ballots before an election. Anyone should be able to assist the Moderator in the pre-counts of elections.…”
— Carol Petrusewicz, Rochesteropposes
“In our small town, it is nearly impossible to get community members or candidates to witness the counting--and testing--of ballots prior to an election. Excluding the Moderator and Town Clerk from this process would be a further handicap.…”
— Jim Miller, Canterburyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-0410:20 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-02-1110:10 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-04-159:15 amSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsLOB 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 11
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 11:40 am 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 with Amendment # 2025-0196h (NT) 02/11/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 14 P. 7
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0196h: AA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 8
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0196h: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 8
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
  8. Apr 15, 2025SenHearing: 04/15/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 17
  9. May 6, 2025SenHearing: 05/06/2025, Room 103, LOB, 09:15 am, on proposed amendment # 2025-1807s; SC 20
  10. May 22, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2184s, 05/22/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 22
  11. May 22, 2025SenHB 464 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  12. May 22, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2184s, AA, VV; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  13. May 22, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-2184s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  14. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2184s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 171
  15. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Lane 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 171
  16. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gray Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  17. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  18. Jun 16, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/16/2025 10:40 am LOB 306-308
  19. Jun 16, 2025HouseConferee Change: Rep. Wood Replaces Rep. Lane 06/16/2025 HJ 17 P. 24
  20. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2025-2851c; 06/26/2025
  21. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2851c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2851c: Adopted, VV 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 22
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2918e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  24. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2918e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 63
  25. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  26. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  27. Aug 1, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 08/01/2025; Chapter 277; eff. I. Sec 9 & 10 eff 12/31/2025 II. RSA 654:12 VI as ins. by sec 5 eff 2/01/2026 III. Rem eff 09/30/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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