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HB 514 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Private lawsuits over election violations

AI-generated

allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.

Creates a process allowing private individuals harmed by violations of the state's election laws to file complaints with the attorney general and, if unresolved, seek injunctive relief in superior court, including as a class action.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the Senate — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 8, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill allows for private parties to sue the state for violations of RSA 659.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ross BerryRPrimeChair· Election Law
  • Rep. Joe AlexanderRChair· Housing
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Sherri ReinfurtRClerk· Housing
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. Sheila SeidelR

Public testimony

298 signed in online · 58 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForPrivate lawsuits as a legitimate voting-rights enforcement tool

AgainstExposes poll workers and volunteers to intimidation and legal liability

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Vote NO to allowing private persons to sue for violations of election laws.”
— Maura McManus, Somersworthsupports
“Through federal legislation, the Bill of Rights, judicial rulings, and the state constitution, both the federal and state governments have proven a strict adherence to voting rights. RSA 659 serves as no exception.…”
— Taylor Barry, Nashuasupports
“I write to express strong opposition to HB514. The Supervisors of the Checklist in Derry rely on Assistant Supervisors who volunteer to register qualified citizens to vote on election days. In presidential elections, more than 2,300 Derry residents register at the polls.…”
— Judy Strakalaitis, Derry · Derry Supervisors of the Checklistopposes
“I oppose HB514 because it would allow private persons to sue for violations of election laws which could lead to intimidation of election workers. What a waste of time and money this bill would cause if passed. Would there be consequences to the individuals who sued and lost???…”
— Douglas Carmel, Exeteropposes
“I believe the passage of this bill allowing private citizens to sue would leave our elections open to the whim of personal agenda.”
— Virginia Daschbach, Exeteropposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-03-0410:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-119:00 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-04-291:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 13
  2. Mar 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 03/04/2025 11:40 am LOB 306-308
  3. Mar 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/11/2025 09:00 am LOB 306-308
  4. Mar 11, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/11/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 17 P. 29
  5. Mar 17, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 26, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 186-152 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 56
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 10
  8. Apr 29, 2025SenHearing: 04/29/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 19
  9. May 8, 2025SenCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Vote 5-0; CC; 05/08/2025; SC 20
  10. May 8, 2025SenInexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 05/08/2025; SJ 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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