Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
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HB 403 · 2025 · House · Election Law Committee

Severe weather absentee voting

AI-generated

relative to weather conditions which enable absentee voting.

Enables absentee voting when the National Weather Service declares a severe weather watch or warning.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 enables absentee voting when the National Weather Service declares any severe weather watch or warning.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Seth MillerDPrime

Public testimony

202 signed in online · 26 wrote testimony

69% support31% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I write in support of HB403. The exceptions to voting in person during hazardous weather should apply year-round. Current law only allows voters to qualify for an absentee ballot when the National Weather Services issues a winter storm warning.…”
— Judy Strakalaitis, Derry · Derry Supervisors of the Checklistsupports
“Sometimes weather plays havoc with voting. Both November and when our presidential primaries occur can be problematic. Absentee voting should be a convenient option.”
— Diana Schuman, DOVERsupports
“How is anyone to know six months in advance if they will be traveling, sick, required to work an extra long day or a myriad of other legitimate reasons to vote absentee,”
— Cheryl Bourassa, Concordsupports
“A big NO here. we do not need to allow absentee voting based on weather conditions. Seriously. This bill would facilitate fraud.”
— James Goodwin, Brentwoodopposes
“Show up and do your civic duty like an adult. We had an 'extreme cold warning' today. It didn't stop me from going to 99 for Sunday half price appetizers. It shouldn't stop you from swinging by the town hall to vote either.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonopposes
“Please OPPOSE this bill. This is not Constitutional. The NH Constitution only allows for people who are out of town or disabled to vote via absentee. See below. No where does it state we can vote absentee when there is inclement weather. [Art.]…”
— Dan Roux, Manchesteropposes

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 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Election Law HJ 3 P. 8
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 01:40 pm 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 VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 44

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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