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HB 136 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Extended absentee ballot delivery deadline

AI-generated

extending the time period for delivery of an absentee ballot from 5:00 p.m. to the close of the polls.

Extends the deadline for delivery of an absentee ballot from 5:00 p.m. to the close of the polling place on election day.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 20, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill extends the time period for delivery of an absentee ballot from 5:00 p.m. on election day to the close of the polling place.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim MaggioreDPrimeDeputy Ranking Member· Municipal and County Government
  • Rep. Bill BoydRClerk· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. Kat McGheeDRanking Member· Science, Technology, and Energy
  • Rep. Marjorie SmithDRanking Member· Judiciary
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Rep. Peggy BalboniD, Rep. Mike BordesR, Rep. Thomas SouthworthD, Rep. Dick ThackstonR, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

217 signed in online · 28 wrote testimony

66% support34% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“extending the time to bring in an absentee ballot will help cut down on voter confusion.”
— Ellen Farnum, Tamworthsupports
“Come on, the polls are open, people should be able to get their absentee ballot in by the time the polls close. This is arbitrary to say 5pm.”
— Tim Josephson, Canaansupports
“Absentee ballots should be delivered until the polls close to allow for the maximum Voices to be included in the vote.”
— Beverly Spiro, Peterboroughsupports
“Our ballots can be viewed as money. You need to have accountability for a valid request for an absentee ballot. We cannot have election integrity if we allow absentee ballots up until the close of polls.…”
— James Goodwin, Brentwoodopposes
“I am totally opposed to this bill. I believe in the traditional meaning of "absentee ballot"; a citizen who cannot vote on the day of the election in person due to extenuating circumstances like being in the military.…”
— Jim Avallon, North Hamptonopposes
“There is no logical reason for an Absentee voter missing the 5;00pm deadline on Election Day, when in fact, they can vote 30days prior to Election Day.…”
— Michael Bean, Ryeopposes

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 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 7
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 10:40 am LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:10 am LOB 306-308
  4. Feb 11, 2025HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/11/2025 (Vote 10-8; RC)
  5. Feb 14, 2025HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA DV 203-169 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 42

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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