Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 714 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Single combined primary ballot

AI-generated

creating a single primary ballot.

Replaces separate party primary ballots with a single combined primary ballot for state and congressional offices, letting any registered voter select among all candidates regardless of party.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill creates a single party ballot for use in state and congressional primaries.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Russell MuirheadDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Election Law
  • Rep. Jim MaggioreDDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government

Public testimony

234 signed in online · 58 wrote testimony

76% support24% oppose0% neutral

ForGeneral appeal of more choice, simplicity, and fairness

AgainstPrefers the current semi-open primary system / sees no need for change

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I urge you to SUPPORT this bill. This is a good move for New Hampshire which has a wide range of voters - some that stick to party lines, but also many independent voters and those who do not identify with any particular party.…”
— Sarah McCarthy, Manchestersupports
“I support giving voters the freedom to select any candidate regardless of party affiliation.”
— Breanna Beaudoin, Goffstownsupports
“Creating a single primary ballot is efficient for such elections and just makes good sense. I’ve not heard a good reason why not to do so. Thank you.”
— Maureen Dadekian, Salemsupports
“I am absolutely against mixing the primaries. As a Republican, I absolutely do NOT want individuals who don't intend to vote Republican in the General election to have any part in the Republican Primary with the intent of interfering or weakening the selection of candidate.…”
— Robert Kenney, Straffordopposes
“Stop trying to ruin our country. We use words so we don’t have to use guns.”
— Isabelle Strachan, North Conwayopposes
“Primaries are the method for party members to ensure party representatives are acting in the best interest of their constituents. Open primaries allow the non-party members to manipulate party representatives. This is a hard NO!…”
— Michael LeNeave, Amherstopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-1810:20 amHouse Election LawLOB 306-308Public hearing
  • 2025-03-041:00 pmHouse 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. 24
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 01:00 pm LOB 306-308
  4. Mar 4, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2025 (Vote 11-7; RC)
  5. Mar 5, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseLay HB 714 on Table (Rep. Berry): MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 72
  7. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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