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HB 498 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Absentee ballot request timing

AI-generated

relative to when a person may receive an absentee ballot.

Requires that absentee ballot applications be distributed no sooner than 45 days before an election.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires that absentee ballots applications be distributed no sooner than 45 days prior to an election.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kelley PotenzaRPrime

Public testimony

88 signed in online · 18 wrote testimony

66% support33% oppose1% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I have investigated a local COOP school election performing a six town investigative sweep. I also have worked on Lou Garguilio's investigative town with a seven town sweep.…”
— James Goodwin, Brentwoodsupports
“Chain of custody with ballots are a concern. This will at least chip away at some of the concerns and risks of compromised ballots.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“Absentee ballots should have the same reconciliation requirements as "same day" ballots, not achievable without additional control and traceability oversight.”
— Michael Bean, Ryesupports
“I see no reason that absentee ballot requests should not be provided as soon as the candidates have been defined.…”
— Graham Johnson, Sanborntonopposes
“I would like to express my opposition to the proposed bill that mandates absentee ballot applications be distributed no sooner than 45 days prior to an election.…”
— Ashley Hartson, Bowopposes
“The right to a free and fair election is one of the most important rights we hold in this country”
— Nathan Braun, Exeteropposes

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 13
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 01:20 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 14, 2025House==CANCELLED== Subcommittee Work Session: 02/14/2025 09:30 am LOB 306-308
  5. Feb 11, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 14 P. 7
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 8

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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