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SB 213 · 2025 · Senate · Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee

Public employee electioneering and voter ID

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.

Defines and restricts electioneering activities by public employees while on duty and requires absentee ballot applicants to present proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · October 23, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“By the authority vested in me, pursuant to part II, Article 44 of the New Hampshire Constitution, on August 1, 2025, I have vetoed Senate Bill 213, relative to electioneering by public employees and relative to absentee voting.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Aug 1, 2025 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseSenate Journal 18

The Senate voted 0–24 on the override (Oct 23, 2025) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

Analysis

This bill: I. Defines electioneering in relation to public employees. II. Requires the presentation of proof of identity, citizenship, age, and domicile when applying for an absentee ballot.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“No public employee shall electioneer while in the performance of his or her official duties.”
RSA 659:44-a
“Prior to any state election, the secretary of state shall prepare the appropriate application forms for absentee ballots worded in substantially the following form.”
RSA 657:4
“The absentee registration affidavit shall be prepared by the secretary of state for individuals registering to vote for the first time in New Hampshire and shall be in substantially the following form:”
RSA 654:17
“For purposes of this section, "public employee" shall have the same meaning as in RSA 273-A:1, IX; except that, notwithstanding RSA 273-A:1, IX(b), a person appointed to office by the chief executive or legislative body of the public employer shall be included in the definition of public employee.”
RSA 659:44-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. James GrayRPrimeChair· Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Public testimony

387 signed in online · 77 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

AgainstNew documentation/notarization burdens elderly and disabled voters

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I am asking representatives yo stop making everything so hard for the handicap and seniors. Please do not pass this bill”
— Cynthia Bliss-Hayford, Winchestersupports
“No one should have to provide a reason for an absentee ballot. We need to make sure we make it easier for people to vote, not harder.”
— Megan Kilar, Candiasupports
“The requirement to have an absentee ballot notarized is an unnecessary burden, as is proof of citizenship for already registered voters.”
— Cindy Kudlik, Graftonopposes
“We are a Democracy. We should not be restricting people's right to vote by continually adding obstacles to people's ability to vote. I strongly oppose SB213.”
— sue vatnick, Madisonopposes
“Come now. If I need to be out of town, as I often am for business, I should merely be able to provide y NH driver's lic. for proof. Again, you are making this more difficult for everyone. Vote NO Why are you all creating laws and raising taxes on EVERYONE.…”
— Ann Heffernon, Swanzeyopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–2
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 27, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2461h (NT)10–7
    Overall
    59% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseDivisionAmendment 2025-2461hAdopted181–141
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteFloor amendment 2025-2688h (Rep. Berry)adopted
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2461h and 2025-2688hAdopted189–148
    Overall
    56% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of Cadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt)adopted
  • Jun 26, 2025HouseDivisionConference committee report 2025-2827cAdopted197–170
    Overall
    54% yea
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2025-2827cadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025HouseVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925eadopted
  • Jun 26, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
  • Oct 23, 2025SenateRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed0–24How they voted
    Overall
    0% yea
    Republicans
    0–160% yea
    Democrats
    0–80% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHearing
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floor1:59:21–2:05:075m 46slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law4:32:06–4:45:5213m 46slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • May 27, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law25:08–29:594m 51slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2461h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floor6:58:12–6:59:191m 7slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2461h and 2025-2688h — adopted, division 189-148; Amendment # 2025-2461h (NT) — adopted, division 181-141; FLAM # 2025-2688h (Rep. Berry) — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor27:12–31:043m 52slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2025-2827c: Adopted — division 197-170; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)
  • Jun 26, 2025Floor debateSenate floor5:29:35–5:33:303m 55slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report # 2025-2827c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 3
  2. Feb 4, 2025SenHearing: 02/04/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 8
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/13/2025, Vote 3-2; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 11 P. 113
  6. Apr 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/22/2025 02:00 pm LOB 306-308
  7. Apr 29, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 04/29/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  8. May 27, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/27/2025 10:00 am LOB 306-308
  9. May 27, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2461h (NT) 05/27/2025 (Vote 10-7; RC) HC 27 P. 18
  10. May 28, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. Jun 5, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-2461h (NT): AA DV 181-141 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 123
  12. Jun 5, 2025HouseFLAM # 2025-2688h (Rep. Berry): AA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 124
  13. Jun 5, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2461h and 2025-2688h: MA DV 189-148 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 124
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Gray Moved Nonconcur with the House Amendment; Requests C of C, MA, VV; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Lang, Perkins Kwoka; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  16. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Accedes to Senate Request for CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
  17. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Berry, Qualey, Burnham, Toner 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 172
  18. Jun 16, 2025Sen==RECESSED== Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/16/2025, 09:11 am, Room 103, SH
  19. Jun 18, 2025Sen==RECONVENE== Committee of Conference Meeting: 06/18/2025, 09:01 am, Room 103, SH
  20. Jun 18, 2025SenConferee Change; Senator Rochefort Replaces Senator Perkins Kwoka; SJ 17
  21. Jun 18, 2025HouseConference Committee Report # 2025-2827c Filed 06/18/2025; House Amendment + New Amendment HJ 17
  22. Jun 26, 2025HouseConference Committee Report 2025-2827c: Adopted, DV 197-170 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 4
  23. Jun 26, 2025SenConference Committee Report # 2025-2827c, Adopted, VV; 06/26/2025; SJ 17
  24. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 61
  25. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2025-2925e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  26. Jun 26, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/26/2025 HJ 18 P. 64
  27. Jun 26, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/26/2025); SJ 18
  28. Aug 1, 2025SenVetoed by Governor 08/01/2025
  29. Oct 23, 2025SenNotwithstanding the Governor's Veto, Shall SB 213 Become Law: RC 0Y-24N, Veto Sustained, lacking the necessary two-thirds vote; 10/23/2025; SJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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