HB 261 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee
Election audits after recounts
AI-generatedrelative to election audits.
Moves the timing of election audits to after the completion of recounts.AI-generated
Status
Signed into law · May 21, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- ✓Governor
- ✓Law
Analysis
This bill moves the time of election audits to after the completion of recounts.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“For general election recounts of state representative races, the secretary of state's office shall, [in addition to] after recounting the state representative race: 23:2 Recount and Audit Procedures.”
“The secretary of state shall publish all recount and audit procedures, as well as the times to hold any recounts and audits that may take place.”
“The secretary of state shall complete any audit conducted under this chapter [prior to the commencement] after the completion of a recount for any recount requested. 23:3 Effective Date.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Robert WherryRChair· Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy
- Rep. Judy AronRChair· Environment and Agriculture
- Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
Also: Rep. Alvin SeeR, Rep. Michael AronR
Public testimony
8 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony
63% support38% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“This is a great bill! Could you please amend to specify when the SOS can audit after the recount? For example, “ the SOS shall audit within 10 days after the recount if an audit is required and post the results of the audit within 30 days of the audit.””
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass16–0Overall100% yea
- Feb 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
- Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0Overall100% yea
- Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
- May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Election Law2:30:38–2:35:304m 52slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
- Feb 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
- Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Election Law and Municipal Affairs1:01:57–1:03:051m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
- Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
- May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 2 P. 12
- Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 10:50 am LOB 306-308
- Jan 21, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/21/2025 10:50 am LOB 306-308
- Feb 4, 2025House: Ought to Pass 02/04/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 11 P. 4
- Feb 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/13/2025 HJ 5 P. 7
- Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Election Law and Municipal Affairs; SJ 7
- Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 103, LOB, 10:00 am; SC 14
- Apr 17, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
- Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
- May 1, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 31
- May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/01/2025); SJ 12
- May 14, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/14/2025; Chapter 23; eff.07/13/2025
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.